The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has rescheduled the dates of the TotalEnergies women’s Africa Cup of Nations to ensure, as CAF stated, “the success of this important women’s competition in light of certain unforeseen circumstances”.
WAFCON was supposed to begin in March this year. The new dates are from 25 July-16 August. Morocco remains the host country. Two years ago CAF scheduled the tournament from 17 March to 3 April this year. However, after discussions between CAF and its partners FIFA and other stakeholders, CAF decided to push the opening date ahead “to ensure the success of this important women’s competition, in the light of certain unforeseen circumstances, and also giving the teams more time for their preparations. Women African teams have been playing friendly games at FIFA dates within the continent. The new date now gives the participating teams another chance to train and play more friendly games if possible.
“Preparations for the WAFCON are underway and all the parties are confident that it will be very successful,” CAF wrote on their website.
WAFCON 2026 will feature a new trophy which had been unveiled earlier by CAF, a powerful symbol of the rise and recognition of women’s football across the African continent.
“As the next generation of African stars prepare to shine at the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026, this new trophy will serve as a beacon of aspiration, inspiring millions of young girls across the continent to dream, to believe, and to achieve on the global stage.
“Drawing direct inspiration from the iconic men’s TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations trophy, the new design represents more than a piece of silverware; it is a celebration of equality, unity, and excellence.
“The launch of the new trophy forms part of CAF leadership’s goal of developing and growing women’s football in Africa and making African women’s football amongst the best in the world.
The new trophy was celebrated at an event hosted by CAF and long-term partner, TotalEnergies in Casablanca, Morocco.
On their website, CAF described the trophy’s striking design, features identical petals spiraling upward, each one representing a participating national team and together, they form the shape of a blooming flower, a timeless symbol of growth, empowerment, and beauty which captures the journey of African women’s football and the vibrant strength of its athletes.
Emerging from the heart of this elegant floral form is a golden sphere, patterned subtly as a football. Adorned with a shiny gold map of Africa, the sphere reflects the continent’s ambition, pride, and global impact in the women’s game.
Crafted in brilliant silver and matte gold, the body of the trophy is wrapped in a gold ring engraved with the CAF logo, affirming the confederation’s steadfast commitment to elevating the women’s game across all 54 member associations.
The base, a pristine white marble pedestal with elegant gold-accented stripes, bears the name of the competition in refined matte gold lettering, cementing the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations legacy within the rich tapestry of African sport.
The women’s 2026 edition teams are lucky following the announcement released in July 2025 by CAF increasing the prize money of the winner by 100 per cent and the total prize money by 45 per cent.
The WAFCON winner will receive $1 million and the runner up $500,000. Third place gets $350,000 and fourth place $300,000.
Quarter-finalists (four teams) will receive $200,000 each. Third in the group stage pockets $150,000 and three fourth place teams collect $125,000 each. This makes total prize money of over $3.4 million.
“CAF is continuing with its commitment to the development and growth of women’s football in Africa,” CAF President Patrice Motsepe said.
“The 100 per cent increase in prize money for the winner and the 45 per cent total increase in the prize money of this competition should contribute to the increase of the salaries of women football players, coaches and employees.
“The quality and standard of women’s football in Africa is consistently improving and is world class.
“We are excited about the substantial increase in the number of fans, broadcasting viewers and sponsors in the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON Morocco 2026. This competition is going to be enormously successful,” Motsepe said.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 19 March, 2026 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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