The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco has been officially postponed, with the tournament now scheduled to run from July 25 to August 16, 2026, instead of the original March 17 to April 3 dates.
The change comes less than two weeks before the competition was set to begin.
The tournament, which also serves as the qualifying stage for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, had been surrounded by uncertainty in recent months, with reports suggesting Morocco might withdraw as host.
Following consultations with Morocco, the Confederation of African Football confirmed the rescheduling.
“In October 2024, the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) granted the hosting rights for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 to Morocco, and the tournament was initially scheduled for 17 March to 3 April 2026,” CAF said in a statement on Thursday, 12 days before the competition was due to start.
“After discussions between CAF and its partners, including FIFA and other stakeholders, CAF decided to reschedule the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON 2026 to 25 July – 16 August 2026 to ensure the success of this important women’s competition in light of unforeseen circumstances. Preparations are underway, and all parties are confident the tournament will be a success.”
The new dates place the competition shortly after the 2026 Men’s World Cup. CAF confirmed that Morocco remains the host despite earlier speculation and South Africa’s expressed interest. The tournament will continue to serve as a key qualifier for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Ghana Black Queens, drawn in Group D, will face Cameroon women’s national football team, Mali women’s national football team, and Cape Verde women’s national football team as they aim for a strong continental performance.
