CAF Postpones 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations to July–August
The Confederation of African Football has officially rescheduled the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations from March to July–August 2026, citing unforeseen circumstances.
CAF confirmed the decision on March 5, 2026, explaining that the new dates were agreed upon following consultations with key partners, including FIFA, as well as other stakeholders to ensure the smooth organisation of the competition.
The tournament—officially branded as the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026—will still be hosted by Morocco. The North African nation was awarded the hosting rights in October 2024, with the competition originally scheduled to take place from March 17 to April 3, 2026.
According to CAF, the change was necessary due to “unforeseen circumstances,” although the governing body did not provide detailed reasons behind the adjustment.
The revised July–August timeline aligns the tournament with a period typically reserved for major international competitions, which could allow better coordination with the global football calendar.
CAF also indicated that preparations for the tournament remain on track, expressing confidence that Morocco will successfully stage Africa’s flagship women’s football competition.
The rescheduling follows months of discussion within African football circles regarding scheduling pressures affecting women’s competitions. Concerns had been raised about fixture congestion and the need for better alignment with international tournaments.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations remains the continent’s premier women’s national team tournament and continues to play a vital role in promoting and developing women’s football across Africa.
The previous edition of the competition, also hosted in Morocco in 2022, attracted record attendance and significantly boosted global attention for African women’s football.
CAF officials believe the revised schedule will provide organisers and participating teams with additional preparation time while ensuring the tournament meets expectations for players, fans, and commercial partners.