The Confederation of African Football has postponed the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, moving the tournament in Morocco from its earlier March schedule to a new window between July and August.
CAF confirmed the development in a statement released on Thursday, stating that the competition will now take place from July 25 to August 16, 2026.
According to the governing body, the decision followed consultations with the world football body, FIFA, and other stakeholders involved in organising the continental tournament.
“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 25 July – 16 August 2026 to ensure the success of this important women’s competition, in light of certain unforeseen circumstances,” the statement read.
The tournament was initially scheduled to hold from March 17 to April 3, but preparations had raised concerns as several organisational details were yet to be finalised.
CAF, however, expressed optimism that arrangements for the competition are progressing smoothly.
“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,” the football body added.
Morocco was awarded the hosting rights for the tournament in October 2024.
For defending champions Nigeria women’s national football team, popularly known as the Super Falcons, the revised schedule provides additional time to prepare for the defence of their title.
The team recently played a two-match friendly against Cameroon women’s national football team in Yaoundé, losing the first game 1–0 before securing a 3–1 victory in the return leg.
The tournament will also serve as Africa’s qualification route for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Under the qualification format, the four semi-finalists will automatically secure tickets to the global competition, while another African team will compete in an intercontinental play-off for a place at the tournament.
