Due to concerns over Morocco’s capacity to host the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is discreetly looking into alternate locations.
The competition will no longer take place between March 17 and April 3 as originally scheduled, CAF confirmed on Thursday. Following discussions with FIFA and other relevant parties, the new dates have been set for July 25 to August 16.
There are questions regarding whether Morocco will continue to host the tournament when it actually begins, even if the governing body just announced a change in the schedule.
Sports News Africa reports that weeks prior, Moroccan authorities had discreetly informed CAF that scheduling conflicts and logistical issues would make it challenging to hold the competition in March.
Citing a logistical and field issue with the men’s championship games or the commitments already made during the international break in March with the sixth edition of the “Morocco, capital of African football,” where eight selections will compete in Casablanca and Rabat, Morocco has been internally declaring for several weeks that it is unable to organize the event in March, according to the outlet.
According to reports, CAF has secretly started evaluating backup plans in case Morocco withdraws.
In order to prepare a backup plan, CAF had secretly studied a number of nations. In addition to South Africa, the report stated that the African Confederation had even casually inquired about Algeria’s possible involvement, but it was turned down.
A tense relationship between Moroccan football head Fouzi Lekjaa and CAF president Patrice Motsepe has also been brought up by the uncertainty, with talks over the tournament schedule allegedly taking a long time before the postponement was officially announced.
This discourse of the deaf culminated last week when a statement was eventually scheduled to appear on the Confederation’s official website, symbolizing the tensions between the president of the CAF and his Moroccan counterpart, Fouzi Lekjaa. Nothing had been released eight days later, according to the article.
Because of the forthcoming Women’s World Cup qualifiers, Patrice Motsepe repeatedly stated that it was not possible to alter the schedule. Morocco is still certain about its incapacity to host the WAFCON in March.
In the midst of the uncertainty, South Africa has stated that if Morocco gives up the hosting rights, it is prepared to intervene.
Gayton McKenzie, the Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture for South Africa, stated that the nation had the infrastructure necessary to host the competition and cautioned against any delays that may impede the advancement of women’s football in Africa.
“The CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations situation is extremely concerning,” McKenzie stated.
Morocco should host the WAFCON if they are prepared to do so after their outstanding AFCON. We want to let them know that South Africa has stadiums and is not a nation with inadequate infrastructure if they are not prepared. Countries with inferior resources will never be able to hold us captive.
“We don’t hold out for anyone. Such treatment of women’s football will not be tolerated. South Africa is prepared to host if Morocco declines to do so.
CAF said that competition preparations are proceeding despite the disagreement over the location.
“All parties are confident that the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 will be very successful, and preparations are underway,” the authority stated.
Africa will use the competition to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027. An intercontinental playoff will provide another African team a chance, while the four semi-finalists will automatically qualify.
