-
Ed Dove
Multiple Authors
On Thursday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) formally announced that the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, originally scheduled to be hosted in Morocco starting March 17, will be postponed.
The tournament has now been rescheduled for late July, kicking off after the men’s FIFA World Cup, and will take place between July 25 and August 16.
This change resolved the immediate concern about the March schedule but left many other questions unanswered, affecting players, coaches, sponsors, and fans alike.
Once again, as CAF attempted to clarify one issue, it inadvertently sparked a myriad of new ones.
WAFCON 2026: What We Know
The tournament will no longer occur between March 17 and April 3; instead, it will be held approximately four months later. This timing creates a gap since last year’s tournament was held during the summer months, just days after the men’s World Cup concludes.
This delay brings some relief to players and coaches who were preparing for the competition, alleviating the immediate fears of outright cancellation.
At least there’s now a new date to work towards, which is crucial for the teams as this tournament will serve as CAF’s qualification pathway to next year’s World Cup in Brazil for the final four teams.
In a landscape often marked by uncertainty in African football, these developments are considered a step forward.
What Remains Unclear?
Although CAF issued a brief statement outlining the new tournament dates, it left many questions unanswered, particularly regarding whether Morocco will still be the host country.
Morocco is favored due to its strong facilities and infrastructure; however, if the tournament were to be relocated, South Africa has expressed readiness to take over hosting duties.
This uncertainty raises questions about why CAF didn’t act sooner to alleviate scheduling conflicts, especially after an announcement in early February indicated South Africa’s willingness to host.
Moroccan officials have cited a congested calendar filled with various tournaments and games as the reason for their inability to host in March. Yet, critics wonder why these conflicts weren’t addressed sooner.
Despite signaling potential difficulties, the clarity on the situation remains lacking, leading to speculation about underlying tensions related to previous conflicts such as Senegal’s treatment during the men’s AFCON.
If that speculation proves unfounded, it still highlights that the Atlas Lionesses are inadvertently caught in a larger administrative struggle.
What Are the Consequences?
As teams across the continent were gearing up for the tournament, the unexpected delay means they must disband training camps and players will return to their clubs, causing logistical and financial ramifications for many federations.
Frustration among the African football community has been rising due to the CAF’s delayed communication and unfulfilled commitments. South Africa’s coach, Desiree Ellis, expressed the urgency for clarity regarding the tournament’s status earlier this week.
Following the announcement, the outrage intensified, with players publicly lamenting the treatment of women’s football. Nigerian forward Rinsola Babajide and Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade voiced their discontent on social media, asserting that African women’s football deserves better.
African women’s football deserves better. 😡#CAF #WAFCON2026
— Rasheedat Ajibade OON, OLY (@Rasheedat08) March 5, 2026
The fallout will likely continue, pointing to a significant breach of trust with CAF. Despite previous promises to enhance women’s football, the events suggest a gap between words and actions.
Concerns linger about how this debacle will impact confidence among sponsors, broadcasters, and investors, especially after the traumatic scenes from January’s AFCON final.
As the timing of the WAFCON clashes with the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games, the tournament risks losing visibility, which could further diminish its commercial prospects.
While the talent and enthusiasm for African women’s football remain strong, the organizational turmoil threatens to overshadow potential successes and undermine the efforts of those dedicated to growing the sport.