WAFCON host uncertainty grows as CAF reviews Morocco’s ability to stage the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after the tournament was postponed
The Confederation of African Football is weighing alternative hosting options for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations amid WAFCON host uncertainty following the postponement of the continental tournament and rising questions about Morocco retaining the hosting rights.
Also read: CAF postpones WAFCON 2026 to july
CAF announced on Thursday that the competition, initially scheduled to take place between March 17 and April 3, would now be held from July 25 to August 16 after consultations with FIFA and other stakeholders.
While the governing body only confirmed a change in the tournament’s dates, the development has triggered speculation over Morocco’s readiness to stage the event within the revised timeline.
According to reports by Sports News Africa, Moroccan authorities had privately informed CAF weeks earlier that the country would struggle to host the tournament in March due to logistical constraints and scheduling conflicts with other football activities.
The reported concerns include clashes with men’s domestic league fixtures and preparations for the sixth edition of the “Morocco, capital of African football” international tournament expected to feature eight national teams in Casablanca and Rabat.
Sources cited by the outlet suggested that CAF had quietly explored contingency plans in case Morocco eventually stepped aside.
Among the options reportedly considered were South Africa and Algeria, although the latter was said to have declined informal inquiries from the continental body.
The situation has also fuelled speculation about tensions between CAF president Patrice Motsepe and Moroccan football chief Fouzi Lekjaa, with discussions over the tournament calendar reportedly reaching an impasse before the eventual postponement.
Reports indicated that Motsepe had initially resisted calls to adjust the competition schedule because of potential disruptions to qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
However, Moroccan officials reportedly maintained their position that staging the tournament in March would not be feasible.
Amid the WAFCON host uncertainty, South Africa has publicly declared its readiness to step in should Morocco relinquish hosting duties.
South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, said the country possessed the necessary infrastructure and warned against further delays that could undermine the progress of women’s football on the continent.
“The situation regarding the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is very concerning,” McKenzie said.
“If Morocco is ready to host the WAFCON because they had a brilliant AFCON, they should do so. If they are not ready, we want to tell them we have stadiums and infrastructure.”
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the host nation, CAF said preparations for the tournament are continuing and expressed confidence that the competition would ultimately be successfully staged once the revised dates arrive.
The 2026 edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will also serve as Africa’s qualification pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Also read: CAF receives strong bids for AFCON 2028 hosting
The four semi-finalists will secure automatic qualification, while another African team will compete in an intercontinental play-off for a final berth.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
