The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has postponed the kick-off date for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), just weeks before the tournament was scheduled to begin.
The competition was originally slated to take place from March 17 to April 3 in Morocco.
According to a statement released by CAF on Thursday, the tournament will now be held from July 25 to August 16, 2026.
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CAF said the change in dates was necessary to ensure the smooth organisation of the continent’s flagship women’s football competition.
“After discussions between CAF and its partners, FIFA and other stakeholders, CAF decided to reschedule the dates of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 to July 25 to August 16, 2026, to ensure the success of this important women’s competition in light of certain unforeseen circumstances,” the statement said.
“Preparations for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 are underway, and all the parties are confident that it will be very successful,” CAF added.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Super Falcons recently concluded a two-match friendly series against Cameroon’s women’s national football team in Yaoundé, losing the first leg 1–0 before bouncing back with a 3–1 victory in the return fixture as part of their preparations for the tournament.
The 2026 WAFCON will also serve as Africa’s qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The four semi-finalists will qualify automatically for the global tournament, while another African nation will have the opportunity to secure a place through an intercontinental play-off.
