The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is expected to clarify the status of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) within the next 48 hours amid mounting speculation that the tournament could be postponed.
CAF Director of Communications Lux September disclosed via his X account that the matter is receiving “urgent and high-level attention,” following weeks of discussions over Morocco’s preparedness to stage the competition as scheduled.
“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”, the full tweet reads.
The tournament is billed to run from March 17 to April 3, 2026, in Morocco and will also serve as a qualification pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with the four semi-finalists securing automatic tickets.
Although Morocco was earlier confirmed as host in a move that would mark its third consecutive time staging the tournament, reports suggest the North African nation may be reconsidering its readiness to hold the finals this month. August has been mentioned in some quarters as a possible alternative window should a postponement be agreed.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe had previously assured stakeholders that the competition would proceed in Morocco as planned. However, the fresh wave of uncertainty has kept participating nations on edge as they await a final decision from the continental body.
South Africa has openly declared its willingness to step in if Morocco withdraws.
The country’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, praised Morocco for successfully hosting the last Africa Cup of Nations but questioned their commitment to the women’s tournament.
“If Morocco is ready to host the WAFCON because they had a brilliant AFCON, they should do so,” McKenzie said at a press conference. “But if they are not ready, we are not a country with no stadiums. We have infrastructure and we are ready.”
He stressed that women’s football must not be treated as an afterthought and insisted South Africa would not “wait for anyone” if the opportunity arose. McKenzie, however, clarified that his remarks were not directed at CAF President Motsepe.
Under CAF regulations, any country that withdraws as host could face disqualification from the competition, and this may have serious implications given the World Cup qualification stakes.
A record 16 nations are due to compete at the finals, including defending champions Nigeria women’s national football team, 2022 winners South Africa women’s national soccer team, bronze medallists Ghana and debutants Kenya.
With the tournament just weeks away, all eyes are now on CAF’s impending announcement, which will determine whether WAFCON 2026 proceeds as scheduled in Morocco, shifts to a new date, or potentially changes host nation altogether.
