South Africa is set to be the new host of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) following Morocco’s late withdrawal from staging the tournament, just 60 days before the planned kick-off.
The competition is currently scheduled to run from March 17 to April 3, 2026, under a condensed calendar that follows the postponed 2024 edition, which was affected by global scheduling pressures, including the Paris Olympics.
The announcement was made on Sunday night by South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe, during the Super League Awards ceremony in Johannesburg.
She confirmed that South Africa had officially taken over hosting responsibilities for Africa’s premier women’s football event, which also serves as a qualification route to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
“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.
Morocco’s decision to withdraw has raised eyebrows, particularly after the country recently hosted the men’s Africa Cup of Nations.
No formal statement has been issued by Moroccan authorities or the Confederation of African Football (CAF), but the move is widely believed to be linked to mounting domestic pressure following the tense AFCON final in Rabat, where the hosts were beaten by Senegal.
The fallout from that match included controversy, disciplinary proceedings and public criticism, contributing to speculation that Morocco opted to step back from hosting another major CAF competition in the short term.
The 2026 WAFCON will feature an expanded 16-team format, marking a significant step in the growth of women’s football on the continent. However, it remains uncertain whether the tournament dates will remain unchanged in light of the last-minute change in host nation.
