* Representing 100% increase while the runners-up prize money is at US$750,000 — up by 50%
* All the 16 qualified teams will receive a US$150,000 participation fee — an increase of 20%
By Duncan Mlanjira
Confederation of African Football (CAF), today, May 22, announced that the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON) Morocco 2026 champions will receive US$2 million as prize money.
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This represents a 100% increase while the runners-up’s prize money has been increased by 50% at US$750,000.
All the 16 qualified teams will receive a US$150,000 participation fee an increase of US$25,000 (20%) from the US$125,000 received in the previous edition.
Making the announcement in Johannesburg, South Africa, CAF president, Patrice Motsepe, unveiled that the total prize money has been adjusted upwards by 67% from US$3.475 million to US$5.8 million.
Since he assumed office, the champions’ prize money has increased by 900% from US$200,000 to US$2 million and the total by 495% from US$975,000 to US$5.8 million.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe making the announcement
The number of participating nations in the WAfCON has also increased from eight to 16 — being Morocco (hosts), Algeria, Senegal, Kenya in Group A; South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Tanzania (Group B); Nigeria (reigning champions), Zambia, Egypt, Malawi (Group C); and Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Cape Verde (Group D).
The tournament kicks off on Sunday, July 26 with Group A between Algeria and Senegal at Olympic Stadium in Rabat (19h00 GMT); and Morocco v Kenya at Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat (22h00).
Monday’s Group B has COSAFA side South Africa — winners in 2022 — up against CECAFA nation Tanzania at Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca (19h00); and West African derby between Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso at Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca, (22h00).
Malawi Scorchers debut appearance on Tuesday, July 28 in Group C up against 10-time champions Nigeria at Al Medina Stadium, Rabat from 22h00 after the encounter between fellow COSAFA side Zambia and North Africans Egypt at Olympic Stadium, (19h00).
On Wednesday, July 29, Group D will kick start their campaign when Ghana will face Cape Verde at Moulay Rachid Stadium (19h00) after the second match between Cameroon and Mali at Larbi Zaouli Stadium (22h00).
Two teams each will qualify for the semifinals, to automatically qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ Brazil 2027 while the four losing quarter-finalists will play off at the same tournament for two World Cup spots to be played at an intercontinental qualifiers.
Quarter-finals will take place on August 8-9, with both semi-finals following on August 12 while the final will be on Sunday, August 16 at 21h00.
Meanwhile, Malawi Scorchers, who lost 1-2 to the WAfCON 2026 hosts Morocco last Thursday in a pre-tournament preparations, will face Ghana tomorrow, July 23 in their final international friendly.
Coach Lovemore Fazili squad — led by captain extraordinaire, Tabitha Chawinga(Olympique Lyonnais, France), comprises 10 other foreign-based players that includes her sister, vice-captain, Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current, USA).
The others are Chimwemwe Madise (TP Mazembe, DR Congo); midfielders Rose Kabzere (Montpellier HSC Feminines, France), Sarah Mlimbika (Green Buffaloes Women, Zambia), Faith Chinzimu (BK Häcken, Sweden), Chisomo Banda (Konkola Blades Queens, Zambia), Vanessa Chikupila (Palm Hills Sports Club, Egypt), Sabina Thom (Phoenix Academy Marrakesh (Morocco) and Tendai Sani (ZISD, Zambia.
Domestic league players are:
* Goalkeepers — Mercy Sikelo (Civil Service Women), Yamikani Kaonga (MDF Lionesses) and Esther Maulidi (Mighty Wanderers Queens);
* Defenders — Doreen Dickson (MDF Lionesses), Tionge Phiri & Ireen Khumalo (Silver Strikers Ladies), Rose Alufandika & Olivia Phikani (Ntopwa Queens), Talandira Chinyamvula & Maggie Chavula (Ascent Soccer), Benadetta Mkandawire (Nyasa Big Bullets Women);
* Midfielders — Leticia Chinyamula (Ascent Soccer), Chikondi Gondwe & Madyina Nguluwe (Silver Strikers Ladies), Lyna James (Nyasa Big Bullets Women);
* Forwards — Deborah Henry (Silver Strikers Ladies), Asimenye Simwaka (MDF Lionesses), Vitumbiko Mkandawire (Civil Service Women).
All the fixtures — kick-off times CAT):
Group stages
Group A
Sunday, July 26
Algeria v Senegal (19h00)
Morocco v Kenya (22h00)
Group B
Monday, July 27
South Africa v Tanzania (19h00)
Côte d’Ivoire v Burkina Faso (22h00)
Group C
Tuesday July 28
Zambia v Egypt (19h00)
Nigeria v Malawi (22h00)
Group D
Wednesday, July 29
Ghana v Cape Verde (19h00)
Cameroon vs Mali (22h00)
Thursday, July 30
Group A
Senegal v Kenya (19h00)
Morocco v Algeria (22h00)
Friday, July 31
Group B
South Africa v Côte d’Ivoire (19h00)
Burkina Faso v Tanzania (22h00)
Saturday, August 1
Group C
Egypt v Malawi (19h00)
Nigeria v Zambia (22h00)
Sunday, August 2
Group D
Ghana v Cameroon (19h00)
Mali v Cape Verde (22h00)
Monday, August 3
Group A
Senegal v Morocco (22h00)
Kenya v Algeria (22h00)
Tuesday, August 4
Group B
Burkina Faso v South Africa (22h00)
Tanzania v Côte d’Ivoire (22h00)
Wednesday, August 5
Group C
Egypt v Nigeria (22h00)
Malawi v Zambia (22h00)
Thursday, August 6
Group D
Mali v Ghana (22h00)
Cape Verde v Cameroon (22h00)
Quarterfinals
Saturday, August 8
QF 2: Winner Group B v 2nd Place Group A (19h00)
QF 1: Winner Group A v 2nd Place Group B (22h00)
Sunday, August 9
QF 4: Winner Group D v 2nd Place Group C (19h00)
QF 3: Winner Group C v 2nd Place Group D (22h00)
Semifinals
Wednesday, August 12
SF2: Winner QF2 v Winner QF3 (19h00)
SF1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF4 (22h00)
World Cup 2027 play-off matches
Thursday, August 13
Loser QF2 v Loser QF3 (19h00)
Loser QF1 v Loser QF4 (22h00)
Third place play-off
Saturday, August 15
Loser SF1 v Loser SF2 (19h00)
WAfCON 2026 final
Sunday, August 16
Winner SF1 v Winner SF2, Moulay Hassan Stadium or Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, (21h00)
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