South Africa has moved swiftly to cool speculation that it has been awarded the right to host the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), after comments by a senior government official triggered widespread reports that Morocco had withdrawn as hosts.
In a formal media statement issued on Sunday, South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, clarified that no decision has been taken by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to relocate the tournament and that Morocco remains the officially designated host .
The clarification followed remarks made earlier in the day by Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe, at the Hollywoodbets Super League Awards, where she suggested that South Africa would host the tournament just two months before its scheduled kick-off.
Those comments fuelled reports across the continent that Morocco had pulled out amid growing recriminations following the chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, which Senegal won 1-0 last month.
However, McKenzie stressed that while South Africa has expressed willingness to step in if required, no formal hosting rights have been awarded.
“At this stage, no formal decision has been taken to relocate the tournament, and Morocco remains the officially designated host of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations,” the minister said .
CAF contingency talks, not confirmation
The minister confirmed that CAF itself initiated discussions with several stakeholders as part of contingency planning, but insisted that these engagements should not be interpreted as confirmation of a change in host nation.
“South Africa has expressed its willingness to support the Confederation of African Football (CAF) if required, should alternative hosting arrangements for the 2026 WAFCON become necessary,” McKenzie said .
He added that these talks were part of CAF’s responsible stewardship of African football, not a reaction to any confirmed withdrawal by Morocco.
“CAF has not yet triggered any alternative hosting process,” the statement said.
𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠!!
Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Peace Mabe confirms that South Africa will be taking over from Morocco to host the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with only 60 days from kickoff.
📹 #SABCSport’s @flexmpumi #SABCSportFootball pic.twitter.com/IFR4vqkZnR
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) February 1, 2026
Morocco remains at centre of the storm
The uncertainty comes against the backdrop of intense fallout from the AFCON 2025 final, which was marred by on-field protests, crowd disturbances and disciplinary sanctions against both Senegal and Morocco.
Since that defeat, anger has spilled into Morocco’s public space, with some fans and commentators calling for the country to withdraw from hosting future CAF competitions, including WAFCON, arguing that its heavy financial and logistical investment in African football has not been appreciated.
Others across the continent have accused Morocco of being a “bad loser”, pointing to its failed appeal to overturn the AFCON final result and the subsequent tensions that followed.
Moroccan officials and supporters, however, maintain that the country has carried a disproportionate hosting burden for CAF competitions in recent years and has been unfairly targeted.
While Morocco has not publicly announced any intention to withdraw from WAFCON 2026, the combination of public pressure, political sensitivity and CAF’s internal contingency discussions has created an information vacuum filled by speculation.
South Africa: ready, but not appointed
In his statement, McKenzie was careful to draw a line between readiness and appointment, stressing that any hosting role would require formal approvals at multiple levels.
“Any potential hosting of the tournament by South Africa would be subject to established government and football governance processes, in partnership with the South African Football Association (SAFA),” he said .
He outlined that these would include formal confirmation from CAF, cabinet approval, confirmation of host cities and stadiums, and the conclusion of government guarantees and operational agreements.
The minister also distanced his office from the deputy minister’s earlier remarks.
“The remarks made by the Deputy Minister reflect government’s longstanding engagement on supporting African football and South Africa’s confidence in its proven ability to host major international sporting events,” McKenzie said .
“They do not constitute a formal confirmation or assumption of hosting responsibilities.”
A tournament under pressure
WAFCON 2026 is a high-stakes tournament, expanded to 16 teams and serving as a qualifier for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Any disruption to its hosting arrangements would present logistical and reputational challenges for CAF, particularly after a turbulent men’s AFCON.
CAF has so far remained silent publicly, but McKenzie confirmed that engagements will continue in a “structured and responsible manner”, with further announcements only expected once formal decisions are taken.
For now, Morocco remains host on paper, South Africa remains on standby, and Africa’s women’s flagship tournament waits for clarity.
