South Africa has been hit by official confusion over the hosting of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), after public remarks suggested the tournament could be staged there instead of Morocco.
The controversy began with comments attributed to the Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, which were widely understood as an indication that South Africa would host WAFCON 2026. The statements quickly sparked reactions, especially as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has already confirmed Morocco as the host nation for the 2024 and 2026 editions.
Following the backlash, the South African Ministry moved to contain the situation, stressing that no official decision has been announced and that the country has not received any formal confirmation regarding hosting the competition.
The ministry’s intervention was aimed at clarifying that the deputy minister’s remarks did not represent a confirmed position, in an attempt to calm the growing debate and avoid further confusion around CAF’s established schedule.
Morocco remains the officially designated host of WAFCON 2026, as previously announced, while South Africa’s latest episode has highlighted internal uncertainty and miscommunication at governmental level.
