South Africa has been confirmed as the new host of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, replacing Morocco less than seven weeks before the tournament was due to begin.
The development was announced on Sunday by South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe, who said the country stepped in after Morocco indicated it could no longer host the competition.
“When Morocco said they wouldn’t be able to organise it, we said South Africa is available and ready to host,” Mabe said during a national television broadcast, citing the country’s existing infrastructure and organisational capacity.
The tournament had been scheduled to run from March 17 to April 3, but officials indicated it may now be postponed by up to two weeks to allow South Africa sufficient preparation time. Revised dates have not yet been confirmed.
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Neither Moroccan authorities nor the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have issued an official explanation for Morocco’s withdrawal. The North African nation had previously designated venues in Rabat, Casablanca and Fez for the tournament.
CAF has historically sanctioned host nations that withdraw close to the start of major competitions. Morocco was fined and suspended in 2015 after pulling out of hosting the men’s Africa Cup of Nations due to Ebola concerns, although the sanctions were later overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Despite relinquishing hosting rights, Morocco’s women’s national team is still expected to participate in the tournament. They are provisionally listed in Group A alongside Algeria, Senegal and Kenya, pending final confirmation by CAF.
South Africa now faces the task of organising Africa’s premier women’s football tournament at short notice, while CAF is under pressure to provide clarity to participating teams, sponsors and supporters ahead of the competition.
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