The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the postponement of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) to July, citing “unforeseen circumstances” that have impacted preparations in Morocco.
In a statement issued on Thursday, CAF revealed that the tournament, which was initially set to take place from March 17 to April 3, 2026, will now occur from July 25 to August 16, 2026.
The decision was made after discussions with FIFA and other stakeholders to ensure the event’s successful organization. CAF emphasized that this change is essential for adequate planning and execution of the tournament.
“In October 2024, CAF awarded Morocco the hosting rights for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026, which was originally planned for March 17 to April 3, 2026,” the statement noted.
“Following consultations with partners, including FIFA and other stakeholders, CAF has opted to reschedule the event to July 25 – August 16, 2026, to guarantee the success of this significant women’s football tournament.”
The tournament will also play a role in the qualification process for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup, set to be held in Brazil, with the four semi-finalists automatically qualifying.
Nigeria’s women’s national team, known as the Super Falcons, are the reigning champions and have been placed in Group C alongside the Zambia, Egypt, and Malawi women’s national football teams.
CAF also mentioned that preparations for the tournament are already in progress and expressed confidence in successfully delivering the event despite the revised schedule.
