WAFCON 2026: Will Harambee Starlets Still Play in Morocco? CAF Clears Doubts

Harambee Starlets can continue planning to play in Morocco during the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed that it is yet to switch hosting countries.

Reports emerged in South Africa early this month when the country’s Deputy Sports Minister Peace Mabe claimed that Morocco had withdrawn and her nation had taken up the hosting rights but her statement would soon be denied by her boss Gayton McKenzie.

It left a state of confusion but there have been persistent reports that Morocco, who have hosted the women’s tournament in 2022 and 2024, were not keen this time in the wake of the fallout of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News

However, CAF boss Patrice Motsepe insists Morocco are still the designated hosts but said negotiations are ongoing with the North African nation.

“Morocco came to assist. There were many countries that wanted to host it [the 2026 WAFCON]. Because we didn’t have time, our standards were very high,” Motsepe said after a CAF Executive Committee meeting in Dar es Salaam on Friday.

“There are still many countries interested [but] as we speak now, we still have an engagement with Morocco.”

It means Morocco will stage the tournament for a third straight edition, unless there are late changes, which look unlikely, as the tournament is just one month away, as it will take place between March 17 and April 3.

Kenya will be among the 16 nations taking part in the continental tournament as they return after a 10-year hiatus and Starlets coach Beldine Odemba named a provisional squad of 34 to begin training on Thursday.

Starlets are in a tough Group A following the WAFCON 2026 draw conducted in January which placed them against hosts Morocco, finalists in the last two editions, Algeria and Senegal, who reached the quarter-final of WAFCON 2024.