The TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers start today, September 20, 2023, with a record 40 nations competing for a chance to play in the final tournament in Morocco in 2024.

The TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers start today, September 20, 2023. This biennial tournament is the continent’s premier women’s football competition.

A record 40 nations will enter the qualifying stages, which will be played over two rounds. The winners of the first round will advance to the second round, where they will join South Africa and Zambia, the two exempted teams.

The winners of the second round will qualify for the final tournament, which will be held in Morocco from July 2 to 23, 2024.

The prize money for the tournament has been increased significantly for 2024, with the winners set to receive USD 500,000, up from USD 300,000 in 2022.

Nigeria are the most successful team in the history of the tournament, having won it nine times. South Africa are the current champions, having won the 2022 tournament.

Kenya, in collaboration with its neighboring countries Tanzania and Uganda, has successfully secured the hosting rights for the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), prevailing over Senegal, Botswana, and Egypt in a joint bid.

The Starlets defeated Cameroon, advancing to the next stage of the WAFCON qualifiers.

The 2024 tournament is expected to be the most competitive yet, with many teams vying for the title.