CAF postpones 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations to July 25–August 16 amid uncertainty over Morocco hosting the tournament...

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is reportedly exploring alternative venues for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations amid uncertainty over Morocco’s ability to stage the tournament.

CAF confirmed on Thursday that the competition will no longer hold between March 17 and April 3 as initially scheduled. Instead, the tournament will now take place from July 25 to August 16 following consultations with FIFA and other stakeholders.

Although the continental football body only announced a change in dates, questions have emerged about whether Morocco will still host the competition when it eventually begins.

According to reports by Sports News Africa, Moroccan authorities had earlier informed CAF privately that organising the tournament in March would be difficult due to scheduling conflicts and logistical challenges.

“For several weeks, Morocco has announced internally that it cannot organize the event in March, citing a logistical and field issue with the men’s championship games or the commitments already made during the international break in March with the sixth edition of the ‘Morocco, capital of African football’ where eight selections will compete in Casablanca and Rabat,” the outlet reported.

With the situation becoming uncertain, CAF is said to have quietly begun exploring backup options should Morocco withdraw from hosting duties.

“Aware of the problem, CAF had discreetly surveyed several countries to have a plan B. Besides South Africa, the African Confederation had even informally asked Algeria if it was potentially interested, and it was denied," the report added.

CBI News reports that the delay has also reportedly exposed tensions between CAF President Patrice Motsepe and Moroccan football chief Fouzi Lekjaa, with discussions over the tournament calendar dragging on before the postponement was eventually announced.

“Symbol of the tensions between the president of the CAF and his Moroccan counterpart, Fouzi Lekjaa, this dialogue of the deaf reached its climax last week when a statement was finally supposed to fall on the official website of the Confederation. Eight days later, nothing had been published yet,” the report stated.

“Patrice Motsepe repeated several times that it was out of the question to change the calendar because of the qualifiers for the upcoming Women’s World Cup. Problem, Morocco remains firm and repeated its inability to organise the WAFCON in March.”

Amid the uncertainty, South Africa has openly indicated it is ready to step in if Morocco relinquishes the hosting rights.

South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, said the country has the facilities required to host the tournament and warned against delays that could undermine the development of women’s football in Africa.

“The situation regarding the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is very concerning,” McKenzie said.

“If Morocco is ready to host the WAFCON because they had a brilliant AFCON, they should do so. If they are not ready, we want to tell them, we (South Africa) have stadiums, we are not a country with less infrastructure. We will never be held hostage by countries that have less than what we have.

“We don’t wait for anyone. We will not allow women’s football to be treated in such fashion. If Morocco is not going to host it, South Africa is standing ready to host.”

Despite the debate over the venue, CAF maintained that preparations for the competition are ongoing and expressed confidence in a successful tournament.

“Preparations for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 are underway and all the parties are confident that it will be very successful,” the organisation said.

The competition will also serve as Africa’s qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.