The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has revealed revised dates for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), shifting the tournament from its initial March-April schedule to July 25 – August 16, 2026, which will still be hosted by Morocco. The announcement, made on March 5, 2026, comes after extensive discussions with key stakeholders, including FIFA, and was driven by unforeseen circumstances that required the change.
Original Dates Postponed
The tournament was originally set to take place from March 17 to April 3, 2026, but CAF decided to move the dates to ensure the event’s smooth execution. The rescheduling announcement, made less than two weeks before the initial start, ended months of speculation about the tournament’s future.
Morocco Remains the Host
Despite the change in schedule, Morocco will continue to host the competition, with cities like Casablanca, Rabat, and Fez expected to stage the matches. This will be Morocco’s third time hosting the tournament, following its successful hosting of previous editions.
Expanded Format
The 2026 edition will see the tournament expand to 16 teams from the previous 12 team format, reflecting CAF’s goal to further grow women’s football across Africa. Additionally, the competition will serve as a key qualification event for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, with the top four teams securing automatic spots and two others advancing to intercontinental play offs.
Defending Champions: Nigeria
Defending champions Nigeria will enter the tournament hoping to retain their title after their victory in the previous edition. With a record seven wins, the Super Falcons are the most successful team in the tournament’s history.
Looking Ahead
The rescheduled dates offer teams more time to prepare, and CAF is optimistic that the revised schedule will result in a well organized and impactful tournament, further boosting the profile of women’s football in Africa.