Plumptre also suggested that CAF handled the 2026 edition of WAFCON with levity because it was not a “qualification for a World Cup”.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Super Falcons and Al-Ittihad defender Ashleigh Plumptre has criticised the decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to postpone the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
She condemned the rescheduling of the women’s competition during a video interview shared by BBC Match of the Day.
CAF recently announced that the dates for the tournament, scheduled to take place in Morocco, have been changed from 17 March–3 April 2026 to 25 July–16 August 2026.
The governing body for African football noted that it made the change due to unexpected logistical and organisational challenges, following consultations with global football leaders and other stakeholders.
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Reacting to the decision, Plumptre stated that such changes do not typically occur in other major football events.
The 27-year-old defender, who expressed her frustration at the postponement, suggested that CAF had treated the 2026 edition of WAFCON with levity because it does not serve as a World Cup qualifier.
She said: “It just wouldn’t happen for other tournaments in women’s football, and especially in men’s football. The last WAFCON wasn’t more important than this one just because it was a qualification for a World Cup.”
Plumptre added that continental competitions should remain consistent, regardless of the broader goals or pressures connected to them.
