The TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 is scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3 — exactly two weeks from now.
However, some unsubstantiated speculation suggests that the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations could be postponed, moved, or even cancelled.
There has been no official communication yet, but the rumours are gaining momentum. A short while ago, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mable, made comments that fuelled speculation that South Africa could replace Morocco as hosts.
“We took an opportunity that presented itself because we feel we have the necessary infrastructure and support [to host] the WAFCON. When Morocco said, ‘We are not able to host,’ South Africa said, ‘Yes, we are available. We are going to take it,’” Mabe told SABC Sport.
However, the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, responded hours later with a statement contradicting her remarks, clarifying that discussions regarding WAFCON 2026 were still at an early stage, with no official confirmation of hosting rights.
“As the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, I wish to provide clarity following remarks made by the Deputy Minister at the Hollywoodbets Super League Awards regarding the 2026 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON),” McKenzie said.
“South Africa has expressed its willingness to support the Confederation of African Football if required, should alternative hosting arrangements for the 2026 WAFCON become necessary.
These engagements form part of ongoing discussions initiated by CAF as it considers various contingencies in line with the confederation’s responsible stewardship of the continental game.
At this stage, no formal decision has been taken to relocate the tournament, and Morocco remains the officially designated host of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. CAF has not yet triggered any alternative hosting process.”
If you read the clarification carefully, it becomes clear that CAF has initiated contingency talks with South Africa as a possible alternative host.
Away from CAF matters, the Copper Queens have been drawn in Group C at WAFCON 2026 alongside defending champions Nigeria, neighbours Malawi, and Egypt.
Beyond continental glory, the tournament carries additional significance as it will serve as a qualifier for the Brazil 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, with the top four teams earning automatic qualification.
This means the team must reach the semi-finals to secure a place in Brazil.
However, preparations are not looking promising at the moment. After that demolition at the hands of Nigeria in the last tournament, adequate preparation is crucial.
It is unclear what the plan was for COSAFA, but we are still struggling with the same issues: the defensive midfield role, the right-back and left-back positions, and a lack of consistency in chance creation.
Finishing chances is not the problem for the Copper Queens, Barbra Banda needed just 58 seconds to score her first WAFCON goal in her debut match at the tournament.
We must find solutions to the problems highlighted above ahead of the competition.
I am not convinced that our preparations have been sufficient, nor that we have enough time if the tournament proceeds as scheduled. Having already made it to the World Cup once, we must aim to return to the global showpiece.
We need to be proactive and prepare thoroughly — it will not be an easy tournament.
Facing Nigeria in the group stage will already be a major challenge, and it only gets tougher from there.
