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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has postponed the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, originally scheduled to kick off in Morocco on March 17, by four months.
CAF confirmed the decision on Thursday in a brief statement, announcing that the competition will now take place from July 25 to August 16. The governing body said the decision was taken “in the light of certain unforeseen circumstances,” though it did not provide further details about the reasons behind the adjustment.
The delay comes as a surprise to several participating teams, particularly as preparations were already well advanced. Some national squads had reportedly arrived in Morocco ahead of the original tournament schedule, expecting the competition to begin in mid-March.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations remains one of the continent’s most important football tournaments, not only determining the African champions but also serving as a pathway to the global stage. This year’s edition will act as the African qualification tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, with six slots available for teams from the continent.
Morocco had been preparing extensively to host the event, continuing a run of high-profile football tournaments held in the country. The North African nation recently staged the men’s Africa Cup of Nations, where Senegal defeated the hosts in the final on January 18, further strengthening Morocco’s reputation as a key destination for major football competitions.
Beyond continental tournaments, Morocco’s role in global football is also expanding. The country is set to co-host the 2030 FIFA Men’s World Cup alongside Portugal and Spain, a landmark event that will bring the tournament back to Africa for the first time since South Africa hosted it in 2010.
Despite the unexpected postponement, CAF officials have indicated that preparations will continue toward the new July kickoff date, with teams now adjusting their training schedules and travel plans accordingly.
