The Confederation of African Football has postponed the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, shifting the competition to a later period in the year. The tournament, which was originally scheduled for March, will now take place between July and August in Morocco.
The decision was confirmed by the continental football governing body on Thursday, March 5. According to the announcement, the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will now run from July 25 to August 16, 2026. The competition was earlier planned to begin on March 17 and conclude on April 3.
Moreover, the change has brought an end to weeks of speculation about the tournament’s readiness. Morocco had secured the hosting rights in October 2024 and preparations had already begun. However, certain organisational issues reportedly delayed the process.
In a statement, CAF explained that the decision followed discussions with global football authorities and other partners.
“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 the light of certain unforeseen circumstances,” the organisation said.
Furthermore, CAF expressed confidence that preparations were continuing smoothly despite the adjustment in schedule. Officials also stated that all involved parties remained committed to delivering a successful tournament.
“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 statement added.
Meanwhile, the postponement comes as several pre-tournament arrangements were still being finalised. Important logistics, including confirmation of knockout stage venues, accreditation for journalists and match officials, and technical workshops, had not been completed before the earlier kickoff date.
In addition, promotional activities around the competition were reportedly limited. As a result, organisers believed the additional months would allow for better planning and coordination.
For defending champions Nigeria, the new dates may offer extra time to strengthen the squad. The team recently played two friendly matches against the Cameroon women’s national team in Yaoundé. Nigeria lost the first match 1–0 but responded with a strong 3–1 victory in the second game.
Therefore, the delay could provide valuable preparation time as Nigeria aims to defend its continental title. The Super Falcons remain one of the strongest teams in African women’s football.
