Women’s football was part of a broader social movement long before the first major tournaments ever took place. The foundations were built back in the 1960s, as women across the continent fought for their right to participate in political and social life.
The fact that this year’s African Women’s Day coincides with WAFCON 2026 offers a fresh perspective on the history of women’s football in Africa, revealing roots that lie far beyond the pitch.
Start of long journey
The story began in July 1961, when African women active in national liberation movements gathered in Conakry. At the conference, they agreed to establish a unified organization to mobilize women across the entire continent.
Just a year later, on July 31, 1962, that vision became reality in Dar es Salaam. Delegates representing 10 independent nations and roughly 14 liberation movements officially founded the African Women’s Union.
Key founders included Putuse Appolus, Phoebe Asiyo, Fatia Bettahar, and Angie Brooks. Together with fellow activists, they championed women’s rights, pushed for equal participation in political, social, and economic life, and fought tirelessly to throw off colonial rule.
July 31 becomes symbolic
At a 1974 summit in Dakar, the group was renamed the Pan-African Women’s Organization (PAWO). During the gathering, July 31 was officially designated African Women’s Day – a date chosen and declared by the activists themselves.
Africa is one of the few regions where Women’s Day grew out of a grassroots political struggle rather than a mandate from governments or international bodies.
Taking fight to pitch
In those years, it was not about football, but about winning women the right to be seen and heard. Over time, social changes opened doors for sports as well. As women gained greater freedom to study, work, and take part in public life, attitudes toward women’s football began to shift.
Even into the 1990s, the game remained on the margins; just 8 teams competed in WAFCON-1998. From an almost invisible sport, women’s football has gradually evolved into a full-fledged part of Africa’s sporting culture, with packed stands and growing attention.
Women’s football is scaling up
The numbers speak for themselves. In 2014, fewer than 100 female players were officially registered across African nations. By 2025, that figure had surpassed 6,500. While matches once drew only a few hundred spectators, the 2024 tournament saw a record-breaking crowd of 45,562 fill the stands. The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 features 16 national teams – up from 12 in previous editions. The prize pool has grown to $2,000,000, with top teams earning qualification for the 2027 World Cup.
Morocco hosts the tournament for the third consecutive time in 2026, reflecting the country’s sustained investment in women’s football and infrastructure.
No room for complacency
While progress is evident, challenges remain. Women’s leagues are still funded far less than men’s, with significant gaps in pay and training conditions. Infrastructure, media attention, and sponsorship support also remain uneven. This is precisely why African Women’s Day July 31 is far more than a historical milestone – it is a sharp reminder that full equality has yet to be won, and the fight continues both off and on the pitch.
Today, the packed stands at WAFCON matches are more than just a testament to the sport’s growing popularity; they are the legacy of a movement that started long before the tournament ever existed. That story continues right now in Morocco’s stadiums. Follow its evolution and unlock new chapters of women’s football with AfroPari.
