Softfootball has investigated the reasons behind South Africa’s emergence as the new host of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), following widespread speculation around Morocco’s status.
Based on verified sources, Softfootball understands that Morocco voluntarily withdrew from hosting the tournament. This development dismisses claims that the North African nation was stripped of its hosting rights by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Concerns had earlier been raised about Morocco hosting multiple major African tournaments in quick succession. These concerns were publicly echoed by Nigeria Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala, who expressed dissatisfaction with CAF’s decision to stage both WAFCON 2024 and AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
Morocco’s decision to withdraw is believed to be linked to dissatisfaction over how AFCON 2025 unfolded, a tournament marred by controversy and disciplinary issues. Softfootball understands that Morocco could still face sanctions related to those events.
One major implication of the withdrawal is sporting. As proposed hosts, Morocco would have received automatic qualification for WAFCON 2026. With that advantage gone, there is now a possibility that the Moroccan women’s national team may not participate in the tournament unless they qualify through the standard route.
This could also affect their chances of reaching the next FIFA Women’s World Cup, as WAFCON serves as Africa’s qualification pathway. South Africa now steps in as host, restoring stability and shifting the competitive landscape ahead of the 2026 tournament.
