The Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is the continental championship for women's national teams and Africa's qualifying route to the FIFA Women's World Cup.
History
The competition began in 1991 as the African Women's Championship, initially played as knock-out ties. It moved to a final tournament format in 1998 and was renamed the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in 2016. CAF expanded the finals to 12 teams from the 2022 edition in Morocco, giving more nations the chance to compete.
Nigeria's dominance
Nigeria, the Super Falcons, have won the large majority of editions, a remarkable record of dominance in any international competition. Equatorial Guinea won twice, and South Africa's Banyana Banyana won their first title in 2022, beating hosts Morocco in the final. Morocco's run to that final, and the strong crowds in Rabat, showed how quickly the women's game is growing in North Africa.
A route to the World Cup
WAFCON finals have often doubled as qualification for the FIFA Women's World Cup, with the semi-finalists earning places. African teams have made progress at the World Cup: in 2023, Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco all reached the round of 16.
Growth across the continent
More countries now run national women's leagues and youth teams. In South Sudan, for example, the national women's league reached its third edition in 2025; read about women's football in South Sudan. FIFA development funding requires associations to invest in the women's game, which has helped smaller nations enter qualifying.
Players to watch
African women's players now feature for leading European and American clubs. Nigeria's Asisat Oshoala, a multiple African Women's Player of the Year, is among the best known. Our player database focuses mainly on men's football, but includes women's internationals where Wikidata records them.