In the past two weeks, African women’s football has been engulfed in uncertainty, rumours and political signalling after suggestions emerged that Morocco might no longer host the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). Speculation intensified across African media and social platforms when officials in South Africa hinted their country could step in as an emergency host.
However, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has now moved to shut down the controversy.
Following its Executive Committee meeting in Dar es Salaam, CAF president Patrice Motsepe confirmed that Morocco remains the official host nation and the tournament will proceed as scheduled, firmly dismissing postponement rumours.
How the confusion started
The controversy began after comments by South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Sport suggested that Pretoria could take over hosting duties. That statement quickly circulated across the continent and triggered widespread reports that Morocco had withdrawn.
South Africa later clarified the position, explaining the offer was merely a contingency plan and not a replacement decision. Any change of venue would require formal approval from CAF and relevant governments.
Moroccan football authorities also maintained that no official relocation process had been activated, reinforcing that Morocco remained the designated host.
CAF itself ultimately addressed the issue directly. Motsepe emphasised that the competition cannot be moved casually because it plays a crucial role in the international football calendar.
The tournament, he said, is tied to the qualification pathway for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Tournament dates and significance
CAF confirmed the 16th edition of WAFCON will hold from March 17 to April 3, 2026 in Morocco.
The competition carries unusual weight this year. Beyond determining continental champions, it also serves as Africa’s qualification route to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
In preparation for the event, CAF has expanded the tournament from 12 to 16 participating nations, part of a broader effort to develop women’s football across the continent and increase global competitiveness.
Qualified teams include traditional heavyweights such as Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa alongside emerging sides like Zambia and Tanzania.
Why Morocco matters to CAF
Morocco has increasingly become a strategic football hub in Africa. The North African nation has hosted multiple major tournaments in recent years and has invested heavily in stadium infrastructure and football development.
The country previously hosted the 2022 and 2024 editions of the Women’s AFCON, making 2026 its third consecutive hosting.
For CAF, maintaining Morocco as host is about more than logistics — it is about credibility. Frequent host changes, particularly weeks before kickoff, would damage confidence among sponsors, broadcasters and FIFA stakeholders.
CAF therefore insisted the competition must proceed on schedule to preserve both sporting integrity and the global qualification calendar.
What this means for Nigeria
Nigeria’s Super Falcons — the most successful team in WAFCON history — are expected to be among the favourites again. The tournament also provides African teams their clearest route to the Women’s World Cup, making preparation timelines critical.
Any postponement would have disrupted qualification cycles, player contracts and international fixtures across multiple continents. That reality partly explains CAF’s unusually firm response to the rumours.
The broader implication: women’s football rising
Beyond administrative disputes, the episode reveals a deeper development: women’s football in Africa is becoming commercially and politically significant.
CAF has increased prize money and participation slots in recent years, signalling that women’s competitions are no longer secondary events but central to the organisation’s future strategy.
The controversy also showed growing interest from governments. South Africa’s readiness to host — even as a backup — reflected how major sporting events are now viewed as tools for tourism, national branding and economic activity.
Conclusion
CAF’s final decision ends days of speculation and stabilises preparations for one of the continent’s most important football competitions. The message from African football’s governing body is clear: WAFCON 2026 will go ahead, on time, and in Morocco.
For players, it restores certainty.
For federations, it allows planning.
For CAF, it protects institutional credibility.
And for African women’s football, it underscores a simple reality — the tournament has grown too important to be left in doubt.