The Confederation of African Football has announced a change to the schedule for the 16th edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, pushing the tournament to later in the year.
Initially set to run from March 17 to April 3 in Morocco, the 2026 competition will now be staged from July 25 to August 16. The event also serves as the African qualification pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with the four semi-finalists guaranteed places at the global tournament.
In a statement, CAF explained that the decision followed consultations with key stakeholders, including FIFA, stressing that the revised timeline is intended to safeguard the smooth organization and overall success of the competition amid unforeseen challenges.
While Morocco was originally confirmed as host, uncertainty now surrounds whether the North African nation will retain staging rights. Reports suggest South Africa is on standby should a change in venue become necessary.
The tournament will feature 16 nations from across the continent. Among them is Kenya, which has already begun preparations abroad. The Harambee Starlets are currently camped in Côte d’Ivoire, where they have suffered defeats in friendly matches against Benin and their Ivorian hosts as they fine-tune preparations ahead of the rescheduled championship.
With new dates confirmed and qualification for the 2027 global showpiece at stake, attention now turns to logistical clarity and final hosting arrangements as teams continue their buildup toward Africa’s flagship women’s football event.