BREAKING NEWS: WAFCON 2026 rescheduled for July, a new host country to be announced by CAF

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) has officially been postponed.

Originally scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3, the tournament, which doubles as the qualifying phase for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, will now be held from July 25 to August 16, 2026, according to Sport News Africa.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed the delay and is expected to release an official announcement soon.

The new dates position the competition shortly after the conclusion of the 2026 Men’s World Cup.

However, uncertainty remains over whether Morocco will retain hosting rights, with South Africa expressing strong interest in stepping in.

South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, emphasized the country’s readiness to host.

“The situation regarding the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is very concerning,” McKenze said.

“If Morocco is ready to host the WAFCON because they had a brilliant AFCON, they should do so. If they are not ready, we want to tell them, we (South Africa) have stadiums, we are not a country with less infrastructure. We will never be held hostage by countries that have less than what we have.

“We don’t wait for no one. We will not allow women’s football to be treated in such fashion…If Morocco is not going to host it, South Africa is standing ready [to host].”

The postponement leaves the final host country still undecided, but CAF confirms the tournament will remain a key qualifier for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.