The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, planned to be held in Morocco from 17 March to 3 April, is likely to be delayed, according to French media reports.
Sports paper L’Équipe said the Royal Moroccan Football Federation asked the Confederation of African Football to push back the tournament just days before it was due to begin. The report said African football’s governing body agreed, but no official statement or new dates have been given.
Another French newspaper, Ouest-France, also said the competition would probably be postponed, less than three weeks before kick-off.
The tournament was set to bring together 16 national teams. Qualifying matches finished at the end of 2025. Morocco qualified automatically as host, while teams such as Nigeria, South Africa and Senegal also secured their places.
The event is important because it also decides which African teams will go to the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Any delay could affect team preparations and the wider football calendar.
Morocco has pointed to a very busy schedule. FIFA rules say domestic leagues must finish by 15 May before the 2026 men’s World Cup. Morocco’s top league, the Botola Pro, still has postponed matches to play.
Several stadiums are being renovated for the 2025 men’s Africa Cup of Nations and for the 2030 World Cup. Morocco is also hosting another international football tournament in March in Casablanca and Rabat, which adds more pressure on stadium use.
In February, South Africa’s deputy sports minister said his country was ready to host if Morocco could not. The government later clarified that it had only told the Confederation of African Football it could step in if needed. Morocco has not given up hosting, but it wants new dates.
For now, the tournament is not expected to go ahead in March, and a new schedule has not yet been confirmed.
