South Africa is set to step in as the host nation for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after Morocco’s unexpected withdrawal from staging the tournament, just 60 days before the scheduled kick-off.
The 2026 WAFCON is slated to run from March 17 to April 3, 2026, under a compressed timetable, following delays to the 2024 edition, which were caused by global scheduling challenges, including the Paris Olympics.
The announcement was made on Sunday night by South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe.
She confirmed that South Africa would take over hosting duties from Morocco, who pulled out suddenly, leaving the Rainbow Nation with a tight timeline to prepare for the prestigious competition.
The tournament also serves as a qualifying event for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
“Tonight, I would like to announce that South Africa will be hosting the 2026 WAFCON, which we all know is a qualifying tournament for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil,” Mabe said during the Super League Awards ceremony in Johannesburg.
Morocco’s withdrawal came as a shock, especially after the North African nation successfully hosted the men’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) just weeks ago.
While no official reason has been given by Moroccan authorities or the Confederation of African Football (CAF), reports suggest that tensions following the dramatic AFCON final in Rabat, where Morocco lost to Senegal, may have played a role in the decision.
The 2026 WAFCON was originally set for March 17 to April 3, featuring an expanded 16-team format. However, it remains uncertain whether the tournament dates will change following the shift in hosting duties.
The aftermath of the AFCON final was marked by controversy, disciplinary actions, and public criticism, with some reports indicating rising internal pressure within Morocco to step back from hosting major CAF competitions in the near future.
Despite the short notice, South Africa is well-prepared to step in, having a strong track record of hosting major women’s football tournaments.
In 2022, South Africa’s Banyana Banyana won the WAFCON title on home soil, further cementing the country’s reputation as one of Africa’s top women’s footballing nations.
The 2026 WAFCON holds added significance, as the expanded format will see the top four semi-finalists automatically qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
The remaining two African spots will be determined through inter-confederation play-offs involving the losing quarter-finalists.
This shift in hosting will no doubt bring its challenges, but South Africa’s experience and commitment to growing women’s football on the continent will be critical as the country prepares to deliver a successful tournament.
