The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has moved to silence speculation regarding the venue of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), confirming that Morocco remains the tournament’s sole host.
Confusion had mounted in recent weeks following unverified reports that the North African nation intended to withdraw from its hosting duties.
Rumours suggested that South Africa was poised to step in as a replacement for the showpiece event, currently scheduled for March 2026.
However, CAF President Patrice Motsepe addressed the media to provide much-needed clarity, insisting that the “commitment” with Morocco stands firm.
Speaking at a press conference, Motsepe acknowledged that while several nations had expressed interest in staging the tournament, time constraints and logistical hurdles made a late switch impossible.
“Morocco came forward to help us,” Motsepe explained. “There were many countries that wanted to host this event, and since we didn’t have enough time, our margin was really limited.”
The CAF President highlighted that other interested bidders had requested to move the tournament dates—a concession the governing body was unwilling to make.
“We don’t want to change them [the dates] because there are also the qualifiers for the Women’s World Cup,” he added.
The 2026 edition is set to be a historic chapter for women’s football on the continent. For the first time, the tournament will expand to feature 16 teams, reflecting the rapid growth and investment in the African game.
While most teams fought through rigorous qualifying rounds, several of the continent’s heavyweights have secured their spots through invitations to ensure the highest level of competition. These invited nations include Egypt, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Mali.
All eyes will once again be on the Super Falcons of Nigeria. As the undisputed queens of African football, Nigeria hold a record ten WAFCON titles.
Having triumphed in the previous edition, the Falcons will arrive in Morocco as the team to beat, looking to extend their dominance and defend their crown against an increasingly competitive field.
