The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has reportedly been postponed, with the tournament now expected to take place from July 25 to August 16, 2026, instead of the originally scheduled March 17 to April 3 in Morocco.
According to media reports, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is expected to make an official announcement confirming the change of dates for Africa’s premier women’s football competition.
The tournament, which also serves as a qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, will see the top four teams earn automatic qualification to the global showpiece.
The Zambia women’s national football team had already begun preparations for the tournament with head coach Nora Häuptle naming a 38-member provisional squad.
The 2022 WAFCON bronze medalists entered camp during the current FIFA international window running from February 24 to March 7.
Should CAF officially confirm the postponement, Zambia’s immediate focus will shift to preparations for the upcoming FIFA Series scheduled to take place in Brazil from April 11 to April 18.
During the tournament, Zambia will face hosts Brazil, South Korea, and Canada in a series of international friendly matches organized by FIFA.
The FIFA Series is a biennial invitational tournament designed to bring together national teams from different confederations for competitive international fixtures.
For WAFCON, Zambia have been drawn in Group C alongside defending champions Nigeria, Malawi, and Egypt.
WAFCON 38-MEMBER
PROVISIONAL SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS
Mufunte Chishala (Green Buffaloes), Catherine Musonda (Red Arrows), Hazel Nali (Zesco Ndola Girls), Eunice Sakala (Indeni Roses)
DEFENDERS
Magaret Belemu (Red Arrows), Margaret Gondwe, Agness Musesa, Rachael Nachula, Memory Nthala, Esther Siamfuko (all Green Buffaloes), Maluba Blessings (Nchanga Queens), Saliya Mwanza (Elite Ladies), Judith Soko (Zesco Ndola Girls), Martha Tembo, Lushomo Mweemba (Hakkarigücü-Turkey), Xiomara Mapepa (Altaraji Club-China)
MIDFIELDERS
Susan Banda (Cekmekoy BilgiDoga Spor-Turkey), Rhodah Chileshe (Indeni Roses), Avell Chitundu (Zesco Ndola Girls), Sampa Chisanga, Natasha Witika (Konkola Blades), Grace Chanda (Club Querétaro-Mexico), Misozi Zulu (Hibernians-Malta), Hellen Chanda (Eastern Flames-Saudi Arabia), Evarine Katongo (Raanan WFC-Israel), Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows)
STRIKERS
Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride-USA), Regina Chanda (Zanaco Ladies), Maweta Chilenga, Agness Phiri (both Green Buffaloes), Mercy Chipasula (Kamfinsa Police), Kabanghe Mupopo (Henan WFC-China), Eneless Phiri (Zesco Ndola Girls), Prisca Chilufya (Angel City FC-USA), Ruth Mukoma (Shanghai WFC-China), Rachael Kundananji (Bay FC-USA), Samiah Phiri (Evian Thonon-France), Chabwe Ngosa (Indeni Roses)
