The competition, which will be hosted in Morocco, was initially planned to take place between March 17 and April 3, 2026.
However, CAF has now confirmed that the tournament will instead be held from July 25 to August 16, 2026.
The announcement was made on Thursday, March 5, through an official statement released by CAF.
According to the football body, the decision was reached after a series of high-level discussions involving CAF officials, FIFA, and other key partners involved in organizing the continental competition.
CAF explained that the new dates were agreed upon in order to ensure that the tournament is properly organized and successful.
The federation noted that some unexpected circumstances had made it necessary to adjust the calendar, although it did not go into detail about the exact challenges that led to the change.
In the statement, CAF said the decision was made after careful consideration and consultation with stakeholders in African and global football.
“After discussions between CAF and its partners, FIFA and other stakeholders, CAF decided to reschedule the dates of the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON 2026 to July 25 – August 16, 2026, to ensure the success of this important women’s competition in light of certain unforeseen circumstances,” the statement read.
The sudden change comes at a time when several national teams had already started their preparations for the tournament.
Kenya’s women’s national team, popularly known as Harambee Starlets, had already travelled to Ivory Coast to continue with training and preparations ahead of the competition.
The rescheduling may therefore require teams to adjust their training programs, travel plans, and preparations for the tournament.
Coaches and football federations across the continent will now have to reorganize their schedules to match the new timeline set by CAF.
Despite the change in dates, CAF has assured teams, fans, and partners that preparations for the tournament are still progressing well.
The football body expressed confidence that Morocco will successfully host the competition and provide a great platform for women’s football in Africa.
Morocco has recently become one of the leading hosts of major football tournaments on the continent.
The country has invested heavily in stadiums, infrastructure, and sports development, making it an attractive destination for international competitions.
WAFCON is the most important women’s football tournament in Africa and brings together the best national teams from across the continent.
The competition has continued to grow in popularity over the years, attracting more attention from fans, sponsors, and global football bodies.