By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has rescheduled the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026, with the tournament now set to take place from 25 July to 16 August 2026 instead of the originally planned March–April dates.
The continental showpiece had been scheduled to kick off in Morocco on 17 March 2026, but mounting logistical and preparation concerns forced a late adjustment to the calendar just weeks before the planned start.
The change is expected to significantly affect preparation schedules for national teams across Africa, many of whom had already assembled squads and begun training camps in anticipation of the tournament.
WAFCON remains the flagship competition for women’s national teams in Africa and will enter a new era in 2026 with an expanded 16-team format, reflecting CAF’s broader push to accelerate the growth of women’s football across the continent.
The stakes are also global. The competition doubles as the African qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, meaning the continent’s best teams will not only compete for the continental crown but also for places on the world stage.
Although Morocco had been confirmed as the host nation, uncertainty now surrounds whether the country will retain that role following the postponement.
Officials in South Africa have publicly indicated readiness to host the tournament should CAF decide to move it elsewhere.
Record champions Nigeria women’s national football team, who remain the most successful side in the history of the tournament, will be among the teams closely monitoring developments as CAF finalizes organizational details for the competition.
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