In a surprising move, the Confederation of African Football has decided to postpone the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations just 12 days before its scheduled start. Originally slated for March 17 to April 3 in Morocco, the tournament, which serves as qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, will now take place from July 25 to August 16. This rescheduling comes despite significant preparations already underway.
The CAF stated:
“After discussions between CAF and its partners, FIFA and other stakeholders, CAF decided to reschedule the dates of the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON 2026 … to ensure the success of this important women’s competition, in light of certain unforeseen circumstances.”
While the specific reasons for the delay were not disclosed, the change raises several concerns for players, clubs, and fans, especially as the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is Africa’s preeminent football tournament. Notably, this delay could disrupt domestic seasons, particularly in the NWSL which features many players from African nations.
Prominent players such as Barbra Banda from Zambia and two-time MVP Temwa Chawinga from Malawi play in the NWSL, highlighting the potential impact of this scheduling conflict on rosters and player availability.
