Who will host the 2026 Africa Women’s Nations Cup? That is the question many African football followers are waiting for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to answer, following the confusion created by stories from South Africa on the championship.

CAF has an agreement with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, which hosted the last two editions of the championship, to host the 2026 WAFCON, but reports from South Africa, on Sunday, quoted the country’s Deputy Minister of Sports, Bertha Peace Mabe, as claiming that Morocco had withdrawn from hosting the event, with South Africa stepping in to stage the championship.

But South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, through a statement yesterday, dismissed the reports, saying that his colleague was misunderstood.

McKenzie’s statement said that “no formal decision” has been taken to replace Morocco, while reaffirming that the North Africans remain the official host of the tournament, which is scheduled to kick off on March 17.

He clarified that South Africa has merely expressed readiness to assist CAF if the need arises.

He said that South Africa “has only indicated its willingness to support CAF if alternative hosting arrangements become necessary,” adding that such measures “are part of CAF’s routine contingency planning.”

He added: “At this stage, no formal decision has been taken to relocate the tournament, and Morocco remains the official designated host of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. CAF has not activated any alternative hosting process.”

He said that to host the championship, South Africa must meet several requirements, “including CAF’s formal approval, clearance from the cabinet, and the availability and readiness of venues and supporting infrastructure.”

Nigeria is the defending champion of the event, from March 17 to April 3.

Officials of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation also dismissed the story of relocation as baseless, describing the confusion as emanating from South Africa’s internal troubles that “do not concern Morocco.”

CAF had yet to make any statement on the issue as of yesterday.