The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) returns next week in Morocco, with the expanded 16-team competition set to take place from July 26 to August 16.

First introduced as a tournament format in 1998, WAFCON has produced 13 editions filled with historic moments, dominant teams, and memorable individual performances. Ahead of the latest chapter, here is a look at some of the tournament’s key records from the past three decades.

Most WAFCON Titles

Nigeria remain the most successful nation in WAFCON history, having won a record 10 titles. The Super Falcons secured their first championship in 1998 and claimed their latest trophy in the 2024 edition, entering this tournament as defending champions.

Nigeria’s dominance is highlighted by their incredible final record — they have reached every final they played and have never suffered defeat in a championship match.

Only two other nations have managed to win the WAFCON title: Equatorial Guinea, who lifted the trophy in 2008 and 2012, and South Africa, who became champions in 2022.

Most WAFCON Finals Without Winning the Trophy

Cameroon and Ghana hold the unwanted record for the most WAFCON final appearances without securing the title, with each nation reaching the final three times.

Cameroon appeared in the finals in 2004, 2014, and 2016, while Ghana reached the championship match in 1998, 2002, and 2006. All six of their combined final defeats came against the dominant Nigerian side.

Morocco are the only other team to have reached multiple finals without winning the competition. The hosts finished runners-up in 2022 after losing to South Africa, before falling to Nigeria in the 2024 final.

Most WAFCON Semi-Final Appearances

Nigeria have maintained remarkable consistency at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, reaching at least the semi-final stage in every one of the 13 editions held so far.

South Africa have also enjoyed a strong record, making the semi-finals in 11 of their 13 appearances. Their only failures to reach the last four came in the 1998 and 2004 tournaments. The Banyana Banyana have since built an impressive streak, advancing to the semi-finals in nine consecutive editions.

Most Tournament Appearances

Nigeria and South Africa stand alone as the only teams to have featured in every WAFCON tournament since its inception, with both nations competing in all 13 editions.

Their long-standing presence highlights their sustained dominance and importance in African women’s football.

Most Matches Played at WAFCON Finals

Nigeria lead the all-time appearance charts at the WAFCON finals, having played a record 79 matches throughout the tournament’s history.

The Super Falcons also hold the record for the most victories, with 62 wins. Their dominance is further underlined by their impressive overall record, suffering just seven defeats while recording 10 draws across their WAFCON campaigns.

Most Team Goals at WAFCON Finals

Nigeria’s attacking dominance is reflected in their impressive goal-scoring record at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The Super Falcons have scored 237 goals in 79 WAFCON matches, comfortably ahead of second-placed South Africa, who have registered 111 goals.

Nigeria’s remarkable attacking output averages exactly 3.00 goals per game, highlighting their long-standing strength in front of goal throughout the tournament’s history.

Most Goals Scored by a Player in a Single Tournament

Nigeria’s Perpetua Nkwocha holds the record for the most goals scored by an individual player in a single WAFCON tournament, after finding the net 11 times during the 2010 edition.

South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana claimed the Golden Boot in 2018 with five goals, while Hildah Magaia shared the top-scorer award in 2022 after scoring three goals, including two goals in the final.

Most Teams Participating in a Single WAFCON Tournament

The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will mark a new milestone in tournament history, with a record 16 teams set to compete.

Cape Verde and Malawi will make their WAFCON debuts, increasing the total number of nations that have participated in the competition to 31. The expanded format represents another major step forward for women’s football across Africa.