Harambee Starlets: CAF Millions Awaiting Kenya After WAFCON 2026 Qualification

Harambee Starlets made their own bit of history when they qualified for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Tuesday night.

Kenya beat The Gambia 1-0 in the second leg in Senegal and 4-1 on aggregate after they had secured a 3-1 victory in Nairobi last week to make a sensational return to the continental competition.

Beldine Odemba’s charges will be among the 12 teams that will play WAFCON 2026 which will be 10 years since their first and last appearance at the continental tournament.

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President William Ruto already sweetened the deal for the players and members of the technical bench after promising each of them Ksh1 million for a win in the second leg but besides that, there is a reward from tournament organisers Confederation of African Football (CAF).

CAF increased the prize money for WAFCON ahead of the 2024 edition held in Morocco this year with champions getting $1 million (Ksh129 million), $500,000 (Ksh64.6 million) going to the second placed team while third place attracted $350,000 (Ksh45 million) and $300,000 (Ksh38.7 million) for fourth place.

Quarter-finalists each pocketed $200,000 (Ksh25.8 million) per team while sides that finished third in their group took home $150,000 (Ksh19 million). Teams that finished fourth in their groups meanwhile were rewarded $125,000 (Ksh16 million).

Unless CAF increases the prize money for the 2026 edition, Harambee Starlets are guaranteed at least Ksh16 million for qualifying for WAFCON 2026 as that is what will go to the least performing team but they can increase their reward depending on how far they go in the tournament.

However, unlike President Ruto’s reward, this amount will go to member associations, in this case Football Kenya Federation, to boost the development of women’s football, and it will be up to the federation to decide if part of it can be shared with the players.