The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations begins in Morocco on 26 July after being pushed back from its original March-April dates, turning a long-delayed start into the latest chapter in a tournament that has already seen major changes before a ball has been kicked.
The competition will run until 16 August and feature 34 matches for the first time the event has expanded to 16 teams. It is also the first Wafcon to include four additional sides after qualification, with the extra places filled on rankings after the February to October 2025 qualifying process.
Why the tournament was delayed
According to Caf communications director Luxolo September, Morocco requested new dates for “a number of reasons.” The tournament had originally been scheduled for 17 March to 3 April in Rabat, Casablanca and Fes, but it was postponed 12 days before 17 March 2026.
A revised match list was later revealed on 25 June 2026, and it now centers on Rabat and Casablanca. That means the event that was supposed to move through three Moroccan cities will now be staged across two of the original host cities.
What changes for the teams
The postponement matters because it changes the rhythm of preparation for every side involved, especially teams that had built their plans around the original spring window. With 16 teams in four groups of four, the expanded field also gives more nations a chance to test themselves on the continent’s biggest stage.
Nigeria arrive as the competition’s most successful team, having won the 2025 edition and owning 10 titles overall. Morocco, meanwhile, have been runners-up in the past two editions and will again carry the pressure that comes with being the host nation.
That setup gives the tournament a clear mix of favorites, contenders and first-time opportunities. It also adds a little more uncertainty than usual, because the new format and late schedule shift have changed how several teams will approach the opening week.
What to watch when Wafcon begins
The first question is simply whether the revised schedule runs smoothly once the tournament opens at 6pm on 26 July. After that, attention will turn to how the expanded field handles the step up in quality and whether Morocco can use home advantage while Nigeria try to add to their record.
For fans, the delayed start has not reduced the stakes. It has only made the countdown longer.
