South Africa denies move to take over 2026 WAFCON hosting

South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has clarified that no official decision has been made to change the host of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), following comments by Deputy Minister Peace Mabe suggesting South Africa could replace Morocco.

Speaking on Sunday, February 2, at the HollywoodBets Super League Awards, Mabe said South Africa was prepared to host the tournament if Morocco became unable to do so, pointing to the country’s infrastructure, hospitality capacity and experience in staging major international events.

She noted that South Africa had successfully hosted the G20 summit in November and previously staged the 2010 men’s FIFA World Cup, arguing that the country has the facilities and organisational capacity to host WAFCON.

However, hours later, McKenzie issued a statement stressing that discussions around the tournament remain preliminary and that Morocco is still the officially designated host nation.

According to the minister, South Africa has only expressed its readiness to support the Confederation of African Football (CAF) if the need arises and alternative hosting arrangements become necessary. He explained that such conversations are part of CAF’s contingency planning and do not amount to a decision to relocate the competition.

McKenzie stated that no formal process has been triggered to change the host, adding that CAF has not announced any relocation or adjustment to the tournament schedule.

CAF is yet to issue an official statement confirming any change in host nation. The last edition of WAFCON was held in Morocco, where Nigeria defeated the hosts 3–2 in the final.