Uncertainty surrounds 2026 WAFCON tournament
By Joel Masibo, March 4, 2026The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Head of TV and Communication, Luxolo September, has revealed that the continent’s football governing body is set to issue a formal communication regarding the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026).
Taking to his X account on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, Luxolo announced that CAF will issue a way forward regarding the tournament set to be staged in Morocco from Tuesday, March 17, to Friday, April 3, 2026, adding that several discussions have been held on the matter.
”CAF will communicate within the next 48 hours on the situation regarding the #TotalEnergiesWAFCON26. There has been several discussions for weeks. The matter is receiving Urgent and high level attention,” Luxolo said.
This comes against the backdrop of CAF President Patrice Motsepe, who has reaffirmed that the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026) will take place in Morocco as earlier scheduled.
Speaking during a CAF Executive Committee Meeting on Friday, February 13, 2026, in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, cleared the air following recent remarks suggesting that South Africa could host the showpiece after Morocco relinquished the hosting rights.
”Morocco came to assist because there were many countries that wanted to host, but because we did not have time, our standards were very high. So many countries are interested, but as we speak now, we still have an engagement with Morocco,” he said.
Motsepe clears air
Motsepe also added that nothing has changed, stating that the original dates regarding the tournament’s opening and closing ceremonies remain unchanged due to the U-20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers schedule.
”Some of the interested countries say they want to change the date, but we cannot change the date because it is one of those qualifiers for the Women’s World Cup. So the WAFCON continues, we are going to make sure that it is successful, and it has to take place within that window,” Motsepe said.
Motsepe’s reaffirmation comes shortly after South Africa has also maintained that no formal decision has been made to relocate the tournament from Morocco.
In a media statement issued on Sunday, February 1, 2026, South Africa Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie explained that comments made by Deputy Minister Peace Mabe earlier were misinterpreted as a confirmation of South Africa’s readiness to take over hosting duties.
Meanwhile, Kenya national women’s football team, the Harambee Starlets, is currently in Ivory Coast preparing for the particular tournament.