Morocco vows to host successful WAFCON tournament after CAF’s ruling on AFCON 2025

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has expressed confidence in its readiness to stage a successful Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), even as controversy continues to swirl around the outcome of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The assurance follows a ruling by the Confederation of African Football, which officially declared Morocco champions of AFCON 2025 under contentious circumstances.

Senegal, who had originally secured a 1-0 extra-time victory over Morocco in the final on January 18, have been stripped of the title by CAF’s Appeals Committee.

The decision stems from a 17-minute walk-off by the Senegalese team during the closing stages of the match, after Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty.

CAF cited Article 82 of its regulations, which stipulates that any team that refuses to continue play or leaves the pitch without the referee’s approval is deemed to have forfeited the match.

Consequently, the result has been overturned, with Morocco awarded a 3-0 victory and their first AFCON title in 50 years.

Senegal, however, have rejected the decision and confirmed their intention to challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The WAFCON, which was scheduled to be hosted from March 17 to April 3, 2026, was rescheduled due to unforeseen circumstances, according to CAF.

However, the expanded tournament will now be hosted from July 25 to August 16, 2026.

Amid the ongoing dispute, attention is also turning to the upcoming WAFCON tournament in Morocco, where the hosts are keen to deliver a well-organised competition.

WAFCON Group Stage Draw:

• Group A (Rabat): Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, Kenya

• Group B (Rabat): South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Tanzania

• Group C (Casablanca): Nigeria, Zambia, Egypt, Malawi

• Group D (Fès): Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Cape Verde