Ghana’s Black Queens are set to receive a guaranteed participation fee of $150,000 at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) following CAF’s announcement of a record-breaking increase in prize money for the tournament.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed that every participating nation will receive $150,000, representing a 20 percent increase from the $125,000 awarded at the previous edition as part of the body’s continued commitment to investing in women’s football.
The enhanced financial package comes ahead of the tournament, which will be hosted in Morocco from July 25 to August 16, with the Black Queens returning to the continental stage after missing the last edition.
CAF has also significantly increased the rewards for teams that progress deep into the competition. The winners will now take home $2 million, double the previous prize, while the runners-up will earn $750,000. The third-placed team will receive $500,000, as the tournament’s overall prize fund rises from $3.475 million to $5.8 million.
The latest increase continues CAF’s aggressive investment in the women’s game. Since the current administration assumed office, the champions’ prize has grown from $200,000 to $2 million, while the total prize fund has expanded by nearly 500 percent.
CAF has also increased the size of the competition from eight to 16 teams, providing more nations with the opportunity to compete at Africa’s premier women’s football tournament.
For Ghana, the financial boost comes as the Black Queens intensify preparations for the championship under head coach Kim Lars Björkegren. The four-time runners-up have been drawn in Group D alongside Cape Verde, Cameroon and Mali and will be hoping to make a strong return to the continental stage.
The Black Queens will begin their WAFCON campaign against Cape Verde on July 29, before taking on Cameroon on August 2 and Mali on August 6, as they target a place in the knockout stages and a share of CAF’s historic prize fund.