CAF Postpones WAFCON 2026 12 Days Before Kickoff
Last update: March 6, 2026
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Confederation of African Football delays Morocco tournament amid unforeseen circumstances and uncertainty over hosting.
The 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations has been postponed just 12 days before the finals were due to start in Morocco.
The Confederation of African Football, CAF, said the tournament is being rescheduled due to unforeseen circumstances.
The competition also serves as a qualifier for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil and was originally scheduled from 17 March to 3 April.
Morocco was set to host a third consecutive edition of the finals, but reports of a potential change in venue had caused concern among players and fans in recent weeks.
Questions about Morocco’s readiness intensified after the chaotic scenes at the 2025 men’s AFCON final, which the country lost 1-0 to Senegal at Stade Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.
CAF said the postponement was necessary to ensure the success of the tournament but did not provide a new host or dates, noting that preparations are ongoing.
The group stage draw for the 16-team competition was completed on 15 January, but the full match schedule had not yet been published.
Earlier in February, South African Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie clarified comments by his deputy suggesting that South Africa might take over hosting.
The delay raises questions about CAF’s commitment to women’s football. Previous tournaments have also faced rescheduling, including the 2020 WAFCON, canceled due to COVID-19, and the 2021 edition, which was postponed to early 2022. The 2024 WAFCON, won by Nigeria, was held in July 2025 because of scheduling conflicts with the Paris Olympics.
WAFCON 2026 is the second continental tournament postponed at short notice in the past 14 months.
CAF delayed the 2024 African Nations Championship just 18 days before it was scheduled to start in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, citing the need for additional time to bring infrastructure and facilities up to required standards. The finals were eventually held in August 2025.
