The dates for the next Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals were released on Thursday at the bottom of a press release issued by Fifa after their council meeting, catching the Confederation of African Football out, as they have yet to make any pronouncement on the dates for the tournament.
The 2026 finals follow not long after the 2024 event, which was postponed by a year and completed in July this year in Morocco, with Nigeria going back to the winners’ podium when they beat their hosts in the final, with South Africa finishing in third place.
The 2026 finals are also in Morocco, again with 12 teams, but take on added importance because they will determine the four African teams that will qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Morocco have qualified automatically for the Women’s Afcon as hosts, but the other 11 places will be determined this month by a final round of qualifying games.
South Africa play against the Democratic Republic of Congo over two legs in their efforts to qualify.