The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the postponement of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, initially scheduled from March 17 to April 3. The 14th edition of this tournament will now take place from July 25 to August 16, 2026.
Morocco remains the host country for this competition. CAF justifies this change of date by the need to ensure the success of this major event in African women's football, citing "unforeseen circumstances" without giving further details. This decision was made after consultation with FIFA and other stakeholders.
The announcement of this postponement comes after speculation about a possible withdrawal of Morocco, following their defeat in the final of the last AFCON against Senegal. South Africa had even declared its candidacy to replace Morocco as the organizing country. CAF remained silent in the face of these rumors, leaving doubt.
This competition will bring together 16 teams, including Morocco, automatically qualified as the host country. The qualifications took place between February and October 2025. The draw for the groups took place on January 15, 2026, in Rabat. Nigeria, winner of the 2024 edition, is also qualified.
The four semi-finalists of the 2026 Women's AFCON will directly obtain their ticket for the 2027 Women's World Cup, which will take place in Brazil. The teams eliminated in the quarter-finals will compete in a play-off to determine the two additional African representatives in the intercontinental play-offs.
The cities of Rabat, Casablanca and Fez have been chosen to host the matches of the competition. The Prince Moulay Abdellah sports complex and the Fez stadium, which hosted the recent men's AFCON, will be used, as well as the Larbi Zaouli stadium in Casablanca.
CAF says it is confident in the success of this 2026 edition of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, despite the postponement and the uncertainties that may have surrounded it.
