Morocco Shifts Focus To 2026 WAFCON Hosting After Favourable CAF Ruling

Morocco Shifts Focus To 2026 WAFCON Hosting After Favourable CAF Ruling 

By Niyi Busari 

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF) has announced a renewed focus on hosting the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), following a landmark ruling by the Confederation of African Football Appeals Board that awarded Morocco the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The decision, delivered on Tuesday by CAF’s highest judicial body, overturned Senegal’s 1–0 victory over Morocco in the AFCON final held in Rabat on January 18, 2025. The Appeals Board ruled that Senegal’s walk-off in protest against a late penalty amounted to a forfeiture under Articles 82 and 84 of the tournament’s regulations.

As a result, Morocco was declared the winner of the tournament, bringing an end to a prolonged legal dispute that had initially been dismissed by CAF’s Disciplinary Committee. The Moroccan federation subsequently lodged an appeal, arguing that the rules governing the competition had not been properly enforced.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the RMFF emphasized that its challenge was not directed at the sporting outcome of the match but rather at upholding the integrity of the game.

“The objective was not to contest the sporting performance, but to demand respect for AFCON regulations, as well as the principles of fairness and integrity,” the federation said.

With the legal battle now resolved, Morocco has turned its attention to upcoming competitions, notably the 2026 WAFCON, which it is set to host. The federation expressed confidence in delivering a successful tournament while also preparing its national teams for future international engagements, including the FIFA World Cup.

The 2026 WAFCON was originally scheduled to take place from March 17 to April 3, 2026, in Morocco. However, CAF postponed the tournament to July 25, citing unforeseen circumstances and the need to ensure optimal conditions for its organisation.

Defending champions Nigeria, represented by the Super Falcons, will be among the top contenders at the rescheduled tournament. The team secured its record-extending 10th WAFCON title by defeating host nation Morocco in the previous final.

Morocco’s shift in focus signals a transition from legal contention to continental leadership, as the country prepares to host one of Africa’s premier women’s football competitions.