With just 60 days to go, South Africa has been named the host for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe, officially confirmed the news, highlighting that the nation’s world-class infrastructure makes it fully prepared to step in and deliver the tournament on short notice.
“We have the necessary infrastructure; our stadiums are well maintained. We have recently held a very successful G20 Conference here in South Africa, So, yes, we are ready,” Mabe said, expressing confidence in the country’s ability to host the tournament.
Persecondnews recalls that the tournament was originally awarded to Morocco, where the group stage draw was conducted in January 2026.
However, South Africa has been given the opportunity to take over, and Mabe said they are ready to rise to the challenge.
The stakes for this tournament are incredibly high, as it serves as the primary gateway to the global stage.
The top four finishing teams will earn direct qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Despite the recent announcements, the situation remains fluid.
As of now, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has not issued a formal statement regarding a change in venue, and Moroccan officials have not officially confirmed that they are relinquishing their hosting rights.
The 2026 WAFCON is scheduled to run from March 17 to April 3, 2026, and will feature 16 teams competing for the continental crown. The groups are as follow:
– Group A: Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, and Kenya
– Group B: South Africa, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Tanzania
– Group C: Nigeria, Zambia, Egypt, and Malawi
– Group D: Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, and Cabo Verde
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