The Confederation of African Football has postponed the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations less than two weeks before the tournament was due to begin, dealing a major blow to teams and fans across the continent.
The governing body, Confederation of African Football, said the competition commonly known as Women’s Africa Cup of Nations would now be played from 25 July to 16 August instead of the original dates of 17 March to 3 April.
Caf said the decision was taken due to “unforeseen circumstances”, adding that more time was needed to ensure the success of the tournament.
The finals were scheduled to take place in Morocco, which had been preparing to host the competition for the third consecutive time. However, uncertainty over the country’s readiness had sparked speculation in recent weeks about whether the tournament might be moved.
The concerns intensified following chaotic scenes during the 2025 men’s Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, where Senegal defeated Morocco 1–0 at the Stade Moulay Abdellah.
Caf has not indicated whether the host nation will change.
The 2026 Wafcon is particularly important because it also serves as a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be staged in Brazil.
The late postponement has triggered renewed criticism about how women’s football is treated on the continent.
Former Nigeria women’s national football team captain Desire Oparanozie expressed disappointment over the decision, saying repeated disruptions undermine the growth of the women’s game.
“I’m very worried and disappointed because this keeps happening with women’s football,” she told BBC Sport Africa.
Oparanozie pointed out that while the women’s tournament was postponed during the Covid-19 pandemic, the men’s tournament still went ahead.
She argued that women’s football does not receive the same level of importance as the men’s game.
Morocco previously hosted the 2022 edition and the delayed 2024 tournament which was eventually played in July 2025 and won by Nigeria with record crowds and strong television audiences.
Oparanozie also warned that the delay could have serious consequences for players who had already been preparing intensively for the tournament.
National teams including Nigeria, Cameroon and Ghana had been holding training camps and playing high-profile friendly matches ahead of the competition.
Ghana’s national team, the Black Queens, had been on a training tour in the United Arab Emirates when the announcement was made.
According to the team’s media officer Matilda Dzifo Dimedo, the squad remains safe while awaiting travel arrangements amid regional disruptions caused by escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Airspace closures and flight cancellations linked to the ongoing conflict in the region have raised additional logistical concerns for teams and officials travelling to the tournament.
For many players who had put their club commitments and personal lives on hold to focus on the competition, the uncertainty is both physically and mentally draining.
Oparanozie said prolonged delays could demoralize athletes who had spent months preparing for one of the most important tournaments in African women’s football.
