CAF Postpones 2026 Women AFCON to July

The Confederation of African Football has announced new dates for the 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations, confirming that the tournament will now take place from July 25 to August 16, 2026.

CAF revealed the change on Thursday through its official website, bringing clarity after months of speculation about the future of the competition originally scheduled for March 17 to April 3, 2026 in Morocco.

In recent months, uncertainty had surrounded the tournament amid reports suggesting a possible postponement. The rumours intensified in the past few weeks even as participating nations continued their preparations for the prestigious continental event.

At one point, a South African government official publicly stated that the country was ready to step in and host the tournament if Morocco failed to meet its obligations as the designated hosts. However, CAF has now confirmed that Morocco will remain the host nation despite the shift in dates.

In a statement explaining the decision, CAF cited unforeseen circumstances and said the new schedule was agreed upon following consultations with key partners and stakeholders, including FIFA.

CAF noted that after discussions with its partners and relevant stakeholders, the decision was taken to reschedule the TotalEnergies CAF Women Africa Cup of Nations 2026 to July and August to ensure the successful organization of the competition in light of certain unforeseen circumstances.

The continental football body also reassured fans and participating nations that preparations for the tournament are progressing well and expressed confidence that the event will be a successful celebration of women's football in Africa.

The 2026 edition will mark the 14th staging of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, the continent’s premier tournament for women's national teams.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons head into the competition as defending champions, having won the previous edition to extend their dominance in African women’s football. The West African giants remain the most successful side in the history of the tournament with a record 10 titles.

With the new dates now confirmed, teams across Africa are expected to adjust their preparations as they gear up for what promises to be another highly competitive Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.