The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will feature 16 teams starting from the 2026 edition, up from 12 in the last tournament.

The move continues CAF’s decade-long trend of expanding participation across its competitions, ensuring that women’s football also benefits from the growing inclusivity drive.

WAFCON was last expanded in 2022, from eight to twelve teams but CAF has now confirmed another increase to sixteen nations beginning with the next edition, slated for March 17 to April 3, 2026, in Morocco.

However, the decision has not come without controversy. The qualifying rounds for the 2026 tournament were completed last month, confirming 12 nations. But CAF, in a surprising announcement, revealed that the remaining four slots will be handed to Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Egypt, teams that did not qualify through the traditional route.

According to a communiqué issued on Wednesday, CAF explained that these four teams were chosen based on their FIFA rankings among those eliminated in the final qualifying stage.

The clarification, however, has done little to douse the debate. Critics argue that bypassing the qualification process undermines the integrity of competition, while others see it as a pragmatic way to ensure a stronger and more competitive field in the expanded format.

Despite the increase in teams, the tournament’s structure will remain relatively unchanged. The 16 teams will be grouped into four pools of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the quarterfinals. Unlike the previous edition, there will be no provision for “best second-placed” teams to progress.

For the Super Falcons of Nigeria, record winners with ten titles, the expansion is unlikely to disrupt their dominance. They will still play the same number of games from the group stage to the final. Yet, the inclusion of traditional rivals like Cameroon, known for their physical play and unpredictability, could pose a renewed challenge.

While the Falcons remain favourites heading into the 2026 edition, recent performances suggest they cannot afford complacency. The gap between Nigeria and other African sides has gradually narrowed, and the expanded format may further test their consistency and depth.

With the tournament now set for a broader and arguably tougher competition field, CAF’s decision signals both progress and growing pains in African women’s football.

The 2026 WAFCON will kick off on March 17 and conclude on April 3 in Morocco.