Morocco Dismisses Claims South Africa Will Host 2026 WAFCON

Confusion continues over the host country for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), as a senior official of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has dismissed claims that South Africa will host the tournament.

Speaking on Monday, the FRMF official said reports linking South Africa to the hosting rights are unfounded for now.

“There was a statement by South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Sport regarding the possibility of hosting the tournament, which was subsequently denied by the Minister,” the official said.

“As long as no announcement has been made by the supervising body, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), there is no new development on this matter.”

The official, however, declined to comment on reports that Morocco had asked for a postponement of the competition.

The controversy began after South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe, said during a televised interview on Saturday that South Africa would host the tournament, which is scheduled to begin in Morocco on March 17.

Following her remarks, South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, released an official statement clarifying the situation. He stressed that “at this stage, no formal decision has been taken to relocate the tournament, and Morocco remains the officially designated host of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations”.

McKenzie also confirmed that CAF “has not yet triggered any alternative hosting process”.

South Africa admitted that it had informed CAF of its readiness to step in if needed, but said this was only part of contingency discussions.

The statement added that the Deputy Minister’s comments “do not constitute a formal confirmation or assumption of hosting responsibilities”, describing them instead as general support for African football.

So far, CAF has not issued any official statement on the matter.