The Confederation of African Football has approved an expansion of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations from 12 to 16 teams, beginning with next year’s tournament in Morocco scheduled for 17 March to 3 April.
The adjustment means Cameroon, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire and Mali have been reinstated as the best-ranked losing teams from the final qualification round, joining the nations that secured places last week.
CAF highlighted FIFA rankings as the basis for selecting the additional four sides, reflecting a strategic move to widen participation and enhance competitive balance across the continent’s premier women’s competition.
Morocco, who will also host the men’s Africa Cup of Nations later in December, are staging the Women’s AFCON for the third time.
Holders Nigeria, former champions South Africa and Algeria, and emerging contenders such as Ghana, Senegal and Zambia will feature in the expanded field.
The tournament carries heightened stakes as it doubles as Africa’s qualification route to the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with the top four finishers securing direct berths. The expansion signals CAF’s commitment to accelerating the growth trajectory of women’s football in Africa and strengthening pathways to the global stage.