The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced new dates for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
CAF confirmed that the tournament, which will be hosted in Morocco, has been moved from its original schedule of 17 March to 3 April 2026.
The competition will now be held from 25 July to 16 August 2026 after consultations with FIFA and other stakeholders.
In a brief statement, CAF said the change was necessary to ensure the smooth organisation of the tournament “in light of certain unforeseen circumstances.”
“In October 2024, the CAF granted the hosting rights for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (“WAFCON”) 2026 to Morocco and this tournament was scheduled for 17 March to 3 April 2026,” the statement read.
“After discussions between CAF and its partners, FIFA and other stakeholders, CAFdecided to reschedule the dates of the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON 2026, to 25 July – 16 August 2026; to ensure the success of this important women’s competition, in the light of certain unforeseen circumstances.”
“Preparations for the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON 2026 are underway and all the parties are confident that it will be very successful,” it added.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s Black Queens remain in Sharjah, participating in the Pink Ladies Cup, a pre-tournament training camp in the UAE.
During the camp, the team recorded two convincing friendly victories, defeating Hong Kong women’s national football team and Russia women’s national football team 4–0 in both matches.
However, the team’s departure from the country remains uncertain after authorities suspended air travel in response to rising tensions in the region.
The players and officials are currently awaiting arrangements to enable them to leave the UAE safely after their final Pink Ladies Cup match against Tanzania women’s national football team.
Ghana heads into the next continental cycle with renewed confidence following their third-place finish at the 2024 Women’s AFCON in Morocco, a result that revived hopes of the team competing strongly among Africa’s elite.
Credit: CAF
