Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon and Malawi have secured their places at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil after reaching the semi-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The WAFCON in Morocco is also serving as Africa’s qualifying tournament for next year’s World Cup, with the four teams that reach the semi-finals automatically earning tickets to Brazil.
Algeria Make History
Algeria secured a historic qualification after defeating 10-player Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 in the quarter-finals.
The Ivorians initially took the lead, but their hopes suffered a major blow when N’Sira Oudraogo was sent off.
Algeria capitalised on the numerical advantage, with Ines Khiri and Amira Ould Braham scoring to complete the comeback and send the North Africans into the last four.
The achievement means Algeria will compete at the Women’s World Cup for the first time in their history.
Hosts Morocco Advance
Morocco also booked their place at the World Cup after defeating defending champions South Africa 2-1.
Goals from Sakina Ouzraoui Diki and Hanane Ait El Haj secured victory for the hosts and kept their hopes of winning the continental title on home soil alive.
Cameroon Shock Nigeria
Cameroon edged past record 10-time African champions Nigeria with a narrow 1-0 victory.
The decisive moment came from 19-year-old Myriam Nyadjou, who produced a spectacular 30-yard free-kick to send the Indomitable Lionesses into the semi-finals and secure their place at the World Cup.
Nigeria’s defeat means the Super Falcons will now have to go through another qualification route if they are to reach Brazil.
Malawi Complete Historic Quartet
Malawi completed the four-team line-up after producing another major upset, defeating Ghana 2-1.
The Black Queens took the lead, but Malawi fought back through goals from Temwa Chawinga and Rose Kadzere to complete a remarkable comeback.
Ranked 153rd in the world, Malawi’s run has been one of the biggest surprises of the tournament and has now earned them their first-ever Women’s World Cup qualification.
Nigeria Still Have a Chance
Despite their quarter-final defeat, Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa have not yet been eliminated from the World Cup race.
The four quarter-final losers will compete in additional qualification matches on Thursday.
Côte d’Ivoire will face Ghana, while Nigeria take on South Africa, with the two winners advancing to the 10-team intercontinental play-offs scheduled for November and December.
Only three of the 10 teams involved in those play-offs will ultimately secure qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
The tournament in Brazil is scheduled to begin on June 24, 2027, with the final set for July 25.
For Nigeria, the defeat to Cameroon has therefore made the road to Brazil considerably more difficult, but the Super Falcons still have an opportunity to secure their place at the global tournament.
