After two successful editions of the WAFU B Women’s Cup, Ivory Coast is steadily emerging as a strong contender to host the 2020 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The West African nation has demonstrated its organizational capabilities in recent years, and its growing experience in staging regional women’s tournaments has positioned it as a credible option for the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
According to several reports, CAF has already approached the Ivorian Football Federation to assess its willingness and readiness to take on the responsibility. The search for a new host became necessary after Congo, which had initially been awarded the tournament, withdrew earlier this year due to financial constraints. Congo’s inability to meet the economic and logistical demands of hosting the competition left CAF scrambling for an alternative solution to ensure the event proceeds smoothly.
In this context, Ivory Coast appears to be a logical choice. The country has recently proven its capacity to organize international football competitions, particularly in the women’s game. The successful hosting of the WAFU B Women’s tournaments not only showcased adequate infrastructure and planning but also reflected a strong commitment to developing women’s football at the national and regional levels. These factors have strengthened the country’s case and reassured CAF officials about its ability to deliver a well-managed continental event.
Beyond simply filling the vacancy, awarding the tournament to Ivory Coast would also serve a broader strategic purpose for CAF. The country is already preparing to host the men’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2023, and organizing the Women’s AFCON in 2020 could act as a valuable test run. It would allow local organizers to gain experience in logistics, stadium operations, security, and hospitality ahead of the much larger men’s tournament. From CAF’s perspective, this would be a practical way to ensure readiness and identify areas for improvement well in advance.
The 2020 Women’s AFCON will mark a significant milestone for the competition, as it will be expanded to include 12 teams for the first time. This increase reflects the rapid growth of women’s football across the continent and raises the stakes for the host nation, which must provide more venues, accommodations, and resources. As a result, CAF is keen to select a country capable of meeting these heightened requirements. Ivory Coast’s recent organizational track record suggests it may be up to the challenge.
However, the Ivorians are not alone in the race. South Africa has also reportedly expressed interest in hosting the tournament. With established infrastructure and experience staging major sporting events, South Africa presents strong competition. CAF will therefore have to weigh multiple factors before making a final decision.
The question of the host nation is expected to be addressed during the CAF Executive Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday. Until then, uncertainty remains. Nevertheless, Ivory Coast’s recent successes and readiness make it one of the leading candidates to stage the 12th edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament that continues to grow in importance and visibility across the continent.
