Harambee Starlets: Why Kenya Could Benefit Most from WAFCON Expansion

Kenya women’s football national team Harambee Starlets are on the cusp of a crucial moment as they prepare to face Gambia in the last round of WAFCON qualifiers. 

CAF’s recent announcement to expand the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) from 12 to 16 teams starting in 2026 offers Kenyan women a brighter horizon.

Next year’s tournament will feature 12 sides, with qualifying already in its final stages. Kenya, which has only qualified once for the continental finals back in 2016, faces a tough challenge against Gambia, but the expanded 16-team format could ensure more frequent appearances for the Harambee Starlets in future editions.

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The expansion will likely require a third round of preliminaries, where 11 remaining nations will compete for four additional spots. This new structure increases the chances for teams like Kenya to make it to the finals more often, providing vital exposure and competitive experience.

“I am pleased with the progress we've made in women's African football,” CAF president Patrice Motsepe said. 

“Part of my starting point is making sure [men and women] are paid well and they can make a career out of football. I can assure you women's football will continue to improve because that is an area we are focussing on a lot.”

WAFCON was an eight-team tournament from its inception in 1998 until the 2018 finals in Ghana. 

The 2020 edition was canceled due to COVID-19, but the competition returned in 2022 with 12 teams. CAF has invested heavily in women’s football, with prize money for the 2024 tournament rising 45% to $3.45 million (£2.6 million). 

Nigeria, champions in 2024, were awarded $1 million (£750,000) for securing a record-extending 10th WAFCON title.

For the Harambee Starlets, the expanded WAFCON represents a historic opportunity. Even if they fail to qualify for the 2024 finals against Gambia, the new 16-team format in 2026 offers a realistic path back to the continental stage. 

CAF is expected to announce further details of the new qualifying rounds after its executive committee meeting in Kinshasa.