The Digest:
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has expanded the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) from 12 to 16 teams, introducing a new group stage format and reinstating traditional rivals, a move that recalibrates the competitive landscape for Nigeria's record-holding Super Falcons.
Key Points:
- CAF announced the expansion from 12 to 16 teams for the 2026 WAFCON.
- The four additional slots were controversially allotted to Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, and Egypt.
- The new format will feature four groups of four, with the top two teams advancing to the quarter-finals.
- The "best third-placed team" route to the knockout stage has been eliminated.
- The Super Falcons, as 10-time champions, remain tournament favorites.
- The return of rivals like Cameroon presents a heightened competitive challenge.
- The 2026 tournament is scheduled to run from March 17 to April 3 in Morocco.
Sources: Soccernet
