Fouzi Lekjaa: Morocco hosting 2026 WAFCON due to lack of interest from other countries

Morocco Football Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa has revealed that his country agreed to host the expanded 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) largely because no other African nation was willing to stage the tournament.

Speaking about Morocco's decision to host the continental showpiece, Lekjaa said the North African nation stepped forward after finding itself in a unique position where it was fully prepared to organize the competition while facing no competition from other potential hosts.

"We will organize the Women's Africa Cup of Nations because no other country wanted it. We accepted to host it because everything is ready, and we will not lose anything by doing so," Lekjaa said in an interview with Al Jazeera.

His comments underline Morocco's growing role as one of Africa's leading hosts of major football tournaments in recent years. The country has invested heavily in sports infrastructure, stadium development, training facilities and transport networks, positioning itself as a preferred destination for international football events.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has scheduled the expanded edition of WAFCON to take place from July 25 to August 16, 2026, with Morocco set to welcome the continent's top women's national teams.

The tournament will represent another significant milestone in Morocco's efforts to strengthen women's football and further establish itself as a hub for African football competitions. In recent years, the country has successfully hosted several CAF and FIFA events, earning praise for its organizational capabilities and modern sporting facilities.

Lekjaa's remarks also highlight a recurring challenge faced by CAF in securing hosts for some of its major competitions. While several African nations have struggled with infrastructure requirements and financial commitments associated with staging large-scale tournaments, Morocco has increasingly emerged as a reliable option due to its readiness and existing facilities.

The 2026 WAFCON is expected to build on the momentum generated by the rapid growth of women's football across Africa. The competition has attracted increasing attention in recent editions, with higher television audiences, greater sponsorship interest and improved standards among participating teams.

Morocco's women's national team, the Atlas Lionesses, have played a significant role in that growth. Their impressive performances on the continental stage and qualification for major international tournaments have helped boost the profile of women's football in the country and across the region.

With preparations already in place, Morocco now faces the task of delivering another successful continental tournament as CAF looks to further elevate the status of women's football in Africa through an expanded and more competitive WAFCON in 2026.

Lekjaa's confidence that Morocco "will not lose anything" by hosting the event reflects the federation's belief that the country's existing infrastructure and experience in organizing major football competitions will allow it to stage the tournament efficiently while continuing to enhance its reputation as one of Africa's premier sporting destinations.

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