Morocco pledges to deliver successful WAFCON tournament after CAF’s ruling on AFCON 2025

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has expressed confidence in its ability to host a smooth and successful Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), despite the shadow of controversy surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.

This statement follows the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) ruling that officially awarded Morocco the AFCON 2025 title under contentious circumstances. Senegal, who had initially won 1-0 in extra time against Morocco on January 18, were stripped of the trophy after a 17-minute walk-off during the match’s final moments. The Senegalese team protested a stoppage-time penalty awarded to Morocco.

CAF’s Appeals Committee cited Article 82 of its regulations, which considers any team leaving the field without the referee’s consent to have forfeited the match. As a result, the outcome was overturned, and Morocco was awarded a 3-0 victory, marking the nation’s first AFCON title in 50 years.

Senegal has rejected the ruling and confirmed its intention to appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The WAFCON, which was scheduled to be hosted from March 17 to April 3, 2026, was rescheduled due to unforeseen circumstances, according to CAF.

However, the expanded tournament will now be hosted from July 25 to August 16, 2026.

Amid the ongoing dispute, focus is shifting to Morocco’s preparations for the WAFCON, where the hosts aim to deliver a well-organized tournament.

WAFCON 2026 Group Stage Draw:

• Group A (Rabat): Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, Kenya
• Group B (Rabat): South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Tanzania
• Group C (Casablanca): Nigeria, Zambia, Egypt, Malawi
• Group D (Fès): Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Cape Verde

Morocco’s federation insists it is ready to provide a top-tier experience for teams and fans alike, even as the AFCON controversy continues to reverberate across the continent.