The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has rescheduled the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, affecting the start of Nigeria’s Super Falcons campaign.
Originally set to run from March 17 to April 3, the tournament, which also serves as the qualifying stage for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, will now take place from July 25 to August 16, 2026, CAF announced in a statement on Wednesday. The new dates position the competition shortly after the 2026 men’s World Cup.
CAF said the decision followed discussions with partners, FIFA, and other stakeholders to ensure the success of the tournament amid certain “unforeseen circumstances.” The continental governing body confirmed that preparations for the biennial competition are ongoing and on track.
Morocco was granted hosting rights for the CAF Women’s AFCON in October 2024. Nigeria, Africa’s 10-time champions, won the last edition of the tournament, which was also held in Morocco.
The Super Falcons have been drawn in Group C alongside Zambia’s Copper Queens, Malawi’s Scorchers, and Egypt’s Cleopatras. In recent tune-up games, Nigeria defeated Cameroon in a friendly in Yaoundé, overturning a 1-0 loss from the first leg to win the return match.
Coach Justin Madugu’s team will now aim to reach the semifinals of WAFCON to secure one of Africa’s tickets for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to run from June 24 to July 25, 2027, in Brazil.
Five goals, two giants and one unforgettable night in Rabat. 🌟
Relive the magic of the historic #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024 Final! 🌍✨ pic.twitter.com/eU3gNpjxbs
— CAF Women’s Football (@CAFwomen) February 25, 2026