The 2026 edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has been officially rescheduled, with the tournament now set to take place from July 25 to August 16 in Morocco. The change was confirmed by the Confederation of African Football following consultations with global football stakeholders including FIFA.
The tournament, widely known as the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations or WAFCON, had initially been scheduled to run from March 17 to April 3, 2026. However, African football’s governing body announced that the competition would instead take place later in the year to ensure the smooth organisation and success of the continental event.
According to the Confederation of African Football, the decision was made after extensive discussions with partners and relevant stakeholders who oversee international football calendars and tournament logistics. The governing body explained that the adjustment was necessary due to unforeseen circumstances that could have affected the organisation and competitiveness of the tournament if it had gone ahead in the earlier window.
Morocco will host the competition for the second consecutive edition after successfully staging the previous tournament in 2022. That edition was widely praised for record attendance, improved infrastructure and growing global interest in women’s football across the African continent. CAF hopes the 2026 tournament will build on that momentum and further strengthen the development of the women’s game in Africa.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations remains the continent’s premier women’s football competition and plays a crucial role in promoting female participation in sports while also serving as a platform for African talent to gain international recognition. The tournament has grown significantly over the past decade as national federations increase investment in women’s football programmes.
African teams have increasingly gained visibility on the global stage, particularly after impressive performances at recent FIFA Women’s World Cups. Countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco and Zambia have emerged as major contenders in continental competitions and have strengthened their presence in international tournaments.
Hosting the tournament in Morocco again highlights the country’s growing reputation as a major football hub in Africa. In recent years, the North African nation has invested heavily in sports infrastructure, stadium upgrades and football development initiatives aimed at strengthening both men’s and women’s competitions.
Morocco’s efforts in football development have been recognised globally. The country hosted the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and has also hosted several youth and club competitions under CAF. The Moroccan women’s national team has also enjoyed rapid progress, reaching the final of the 2022 WAFCON and qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where they made history by reaching the knockout stages.
CAF officials believe that staging the 2026 tournament during the July to August window will provide better alignment with the international football calendar and allow participating teams more time for preparation. The new schedule also reduces potential conflicts with other global football competitions and domestic leagues.
The rescheduling may also help maximise broadcast opportunities and international exposure for the tournament. Women’s football has experienced a surge in viewership worldwide, and CAF aims to take advantage of this growing audience by ensuring the competition is held at a time when it can attract maximum attention from fans, sponsors and broadcasters.
For players and national teams across the continent, the revised schedule provides additional preparation time to build stronger squads and improve competitiveness. Many African football federations have already begun expanding grassroots and professional development programmes for women as the sport continues to gain popularity.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has historically been dominated by Nigeria’s Super Falcons, who have won the tournament multiple times and remain one of the strongest teams in African women’s football. However, recent tournaments have seen increased competition as more nations invest in coaching, youth development and professional leagues.
With the new dates now confirmed, attention will shift to the qualification process and preparations by participating teams. Morocco will once again serve as the stage where Africa’s best women footballers compete for continental glory while continuing to elevate the status of the women’s game across the continent.
Walid Regragui named AFCON 2025 coach of the tournament
