South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Gayton McKenzie, has shed more light on reports that his country is set to replace Morocco as the host country for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
McKenzie, in a statement on Monday, explained that “no formal decision” has been made on the reported replacement of Morocco as the tournament’s host.
The South African Minister explained that as of the present, Morocco remains the host nation for the tournament scheduled to start on March 17.
He said South Africa hosting the WAFCON would require CAF’s formal confirmation, cabinet approval, venue and infrastructure availability and readiness.
The Minister’s clarification follows an earlier statement credited to the country’s Deputy Sports Minister, Peace Mabel, who declared that South Africa had replaced Morocco as the host of the competition.
Mabel claimed that Morocco had pulled out of hosting the WAFCON with five weeks remaining, and that her country is prepared to take over.
However, McKenzie explained that South Africa “has only indicated its willingness to support CAF if alternative hosting arrangements become necessary.”
He added that such arrangements “are part of CAF’s routine contingency planning” ahead of hosting any competitions.
“At this stage, no formal decision has been taken to relocate the tournament, and Morocco remains the official designated host of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. CAF has not activated any alternative hosting process,” the statement reads.
9news Nigeria reports that the 2026 WAFCON is scheduled to run from March 17 through April 3.
