Speculation about the WAFCON 2026 host has intensified in recent days, but South Africa’s sports leadership has now moved to clear the air, saying there has been no formal decision to relocate the tournament from Morocco.
The clarification follows comments by deputy sports minister Peace Mabe, who suggested South Africa would step in to host the finals after Morocco allegedly indicated it could not stage the tournament.
Mabe told SABC Sport that South Africa was available and would take the tournament, remarks that quickly fuelled widespread claims that the host nation had changed.
Sports minister Gayton McKenzie later issued a statement distancing government from any suggestion that hosting had been confirmed, while also signalling South Africa’s willingness to support CAF if required.
What South Africa said about hosting WAFCON 2026
McKenzie said Morocco remained the officially designated host and stressed that no formal hosting switch had been approved.
“[N]o formal decision has been taken to relocate the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) away from Morocco,” he said, according to BBC Sport.
He added that the deputy minister’s remarks did not amount to confirmation of hosting responsibilities.
“[The remarks made] do not constitute a formal confirmation or assumption of hosting responsibilities,” McKenzie said.
McKenzie also said CAF had not launched an alternative hosting process.
“The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has not yet triggered any alternative hosting process,” he said.
At the same time, he indicated South Africa had told CAF it could assist if plans changed.
“South Africa has expressed its willingness to support CAF if required, should alternative hosting arrangements for the 2026 WAFCON become necessary,” he said.
What we know about WAFCON 2026 so far
CAF has already published details confirming Morocco as host and confirming the final draw for the WAFCON 2026.
The tournament is scheduled to run from 17 March to 3 April 2026.
The final draw places South Africa in Group B alongside Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Tanzania. CAF said Group B will be based in Rabat and will use the Al Madina Stadium.
CAF’s draw announcement also confirms:
- Group A includes Morocco, Algeria, Senegal and Kenya, with matches in Rabat at Moulay El Hassan Stadium.
- Group C includes Nigeria, Zambia, Egypt and Malawi, with the group based in Casablanca.
- Group D includes Ghana, Cameroon, Mali and Cape Verde, with the group based in Fes.
CAF also confirmed that the top two teams in each group progress to the quarterfinals, and that the four semifinalists qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
It added that quarter-final losers will play additional matches to decide which two teams enter the inter-confederation play-offs for World Cup qualification.
What this means for South Africa and the tournament
For now, South Africa’s official stance is that Morocco remains the designated host, and that any alternative arrangement would need to be initiated and confirmed by CAF.
The clarification is likely to cool public speculation while keeping attention on the confirmed tournament details, including the group stage setup and venues already communicated by CAF.
