“High level attention” – CAF official breaks silence on who will host WAFCON 2026

Mar 5, 2026 - 08:30

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has said it will announce the host nation for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026) within the next 48 hours, Soccernet.ng reports.

The announcement follows uncertainty that continues to surround the tournament’s venue, with multiple reports suggesting Morocco's reluctance to host the 2026 WAFCON tournament.

As earlier reported by Soccernet.ng, South African Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie accused Morocco of holding the CAF to ransom over the women's tournament.

CAF breaks silence on WAFCON 2026 host

CAF communications officer Luxolo September disclosed the update on social media on Wednesday, stating that the issue is receiving urgent attention from the governing body.

“CAF will communicate within the next 48 hours on the situation regarding the #TotalEnergiesWAFCON26,” September wrote. “There has been several discussions for weeks. The matter is receiving urgent and high-level attention.”

For more than six weeks, doubts have lingered over who will host the tournament. Morocco was initially named as host, which would make it their third consecutive time staging the women’s continental championship.

New WAFCON champions Nigeria Super Falcons — New African champions, Nigeria Super Falcons [Photo credit/X]

However, speculation about a possible withdrawal emerged after the conclusion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in January, a tournament that was surrounded by controversy over alleged officiating bias in favour of the hosts.

Caf President, Patrice Motsepe and FIfa President, Gianni Infantino during the 2025 WAFCON Finals — Patrice Motsepe and FIfa President, Gianni Infantino during the 2025 WAFCON Finals. Copyright: Imago

Although the President of the Federation, Patrice Motsepe had earlier confirmed that WAFCON 2026 would go ahead in Morocco as planned, the lack of a formal follow-up announcement has fuelled uncertainty among stakeholders.

South Africa has publicly declared its readiness to step in should Morocco relinquish the hosting rights. The country’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, recently accused Morocco of attempting to undermine CAF by wavering over its commitment to the tournament.

South Africa Minister of Sports Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie — Gayton McKenzie of South Africa. Copyright: Imago

Politically, Morocco has invested heavily in positioning itself as a major football hub in Africa and globally, making a withdrawal from hosting WAFCON 2026 a potentially damaging move to its standing within continental football circles.

The prolonged silence has raised concerns for participating nations, including defending champions Super Falcons of Nigeria, who are preparing to defend their title after defeating Morocco in the previous final.

With the scheduled April kick-off approaching, CAF’s promised announcement is expected to provide clarity for teams, organisers, and broadcasters, putting an end weeks of speculation over the tournament’s destination.