The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has postponed the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) just weeks before the tournament was scheduled to begin, citing what it described as “unforeseen circumstances”.
The competition, which was originally planned to kick off soon, has now been moved to July 2026, according to CAF officials. The sudden decision came at the final stage of preparations and has left participating teams, organisers and fans adjusting to the new schedule.
CAF did not provide detailed reasons for the postponement but said the change was necessary due to logistical and organisational issues affecting the tournament’s readiness. The governing body added that the decision was taken to ensure the competition is delivered at the expected standard for African women’s football.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is the continent’s premier women’s football tournament and also plays a key role in qualification pathways for major global competitions. The event brings together national teams from across Africa and has become an important platform for the growth and visibility of women’s football on the continent.
The postponement comes as women’s football in Africa continues to expand in popularity and investment, particularly after recent international successes by African teams in global competitions. Several national squads had already begun final preparations and training camps ahead of the originally scheduled dates.
CAF has said the new July timeline will allow organisers and participating teams adequate time to complete preparations while maintaining the competitive integrity of the tournament. Further details about the revised tournament schedule and logistics are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
