CONFUSION has engulfed preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after South Africa signalled readiness to step in as host amid reports that Morocco may have withdrawn from staging the tournament barely two months to kickoff.
News Point Nigeria Sport reports the development surfaced on Sunday night when South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe, announced that the country would assume hosting duties for the continental women’s football showpiece, scheduled to run from March 17 to April 3, 2026.
Speaking at the Super League Awards ceremony in Johannesburg, Mabe declared that South Africa had taken over hosting responsibilities following Morocco’s alleged decision to pull out.
“Tonight, I would like to announce that South Africa will be hosting the 2026 WAFCON, which we all know is a qualifying tournament for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil,” Mabe said.
Her remarks immediately triggered widespread reaction across African football circles, given the tournament’s proximity and its importance as a qualification pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
However, less than 24 hours later, South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, publicly contradicted the announcement, insisting that no formal decision had been taken to relocate the tournament from Morocco.
In a statement issued on Monday, McKenzie clarified that Morocco remains the officially designated host, and that South Africa has merely expressed its willingness to assist the Confederation of African Football (CAF) should contingency plans be activated.
“At this stage, no formal decision has been taken to replace Morocco as host of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations,” McKenzie said.
“South Africa has only indicated its willingness to support CAF if alternative hosting arrangements become necessary. Such measures are part of CAF’s routine contingency planning ahead of major tournaments.”
The minister stressed that any decision for South Africa to host the competition would require formal CAF approval, cabinet clearance, and confirmation of the availability and readiness of venues and infrastructure.
“CAF has not activated any alternative hosting process,” the statement added.
Despite the official clarification, uncertainty persists, as Morocco has yet to publicly address reports of its alleged withdrawal.
The North African nation was originally awarded hosting rights for the 2026 WAFCON and is poised to host the tournament for a third consecutive time, having staged the previous editions in 2022 and 2024.
Morocco finished as runners-up in both tournaments, losing to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in the 2022 final and to Nigeria’s Super Falcons in 2024.
The reported withdrawal, though unconfirmed, comes just weeks after Morocco hosted the men’s Africa Cup of Nations, which ended in controversy following a dramatic final in Rabat where the hosts lost to Senegal.
That final was reportedly followed by disciplinary actions, public criticism, and internal pressure, fueling speculation that Moroccan authorities may be reluctant to host another major CAF competition so soon.
The 2026 WAFCON will feature an expanded 16-team format, and under the current structure, the four semi-finalists will qualify automatically for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, while two additional African representatives will emerge from inter-confederation play-offs involving losing quarter-finalists.
South Africa’s emergence as a potential emergency host is bolstered by its recent hosting pedigree, having successfully staged and won the 2022 WAFCON on home soil, a landmark achievement that cemented Banyana Banyana’s status as a continental powerhouse.
Nevertheless, with less than 60 days to the scheduled kickoff, CAF faces mounting pressure to clarify Morocco’s status and provide certainty to participating teams, sponsors, broadcasters, and fans.
As of Monday, CAF had yet to issue an official statement confirming or denying any change in hosting arrangements.