African quartet qualify for 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil

On 9 August 2026, Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon and Malawi secured places at the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil by reaching the semi-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Eighteen of the 32 tournament spots are now confirmed.

The Wafcon in Morocco is serving as the continental qualifying competition, with any nation that reaches the semi-finals earning automatic qualification for the World Cup. Morocco have now qualified for the Women's World Cup for the second time after losing to France in the last 16 in 2023. Four teams that were eliminated in the Wafcon quarter-finals — Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and South Africa — still have an alternative route to the World Cup through additional play-offs.

Algeria defeated a 10-player Ivory Coast 2-1 to reach the Wafcon last four, with goals from Ines Khiri and Amira Ould Braham. N'Sira Oudraogo was sent off when the Ivorians were 1-0 ahead, and Algeria’s progress marks their first-ever qualification for a Women's World Cup.

Morocco beat South Africa 2-1 to claim their World Cup berth, with Sakina Ouzraoui Diki and Hanane Ait El Haj on the scoresheet. That result confirmed Morocco as one of the four African semi-finalists who will travel to Brazil next year.

Cameroon secured a 1-0 victory over Nigeria courtesy of a 30-yard free-kick from 19-year-old Myriam Nyadjou. Malawi produced an upset by coming from behind to beat Ghana 2-1, with goals from Temwa Chawinga and Rose Kadzere; Malawi are listed in the source as 153rd in the world rankings.

The four nations that lost in the Wafcon quarter-finals still retain a path to the World Cup: on Thursday Ivory Coast play Ghana and Nigeria will face South Africa, with the two winners advancing to a 10-nation intercontinental play-off in November and December. Three teams from that intercontinental play-off will join the World Cup field, which will be staged in Brazil from 24 June to 25 July 2027. Countries already confirmed among the 18 qualifiers include Africa — Algeria, Cameroon, Malawi, Morocco; Asia — Australia, China, Japan, North Korea, Philippines, South Korea; Europe — Denmark, France, Germany, Spain; South America — Argentina, Brazil (hosts), Colombia.

The Wafcon semi-finals will take place on Wednesday. Morocco will take on Cameroon before Algeria meet Malawi.