Four African Teams Qualify for 2027 Women’s World Cup as WAFCON Quarter-Final Shockwaves Continue

Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon and Malawi have secured Africa’s first four tickets to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after reaching the semi-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

The four nations earned automatic qualification by winning their respective quarter-final matches, with WAFCON serving as Africa’s route to the World Cup in Brazil. The results also produced major surprises, most notably Nigeria’s elimination by Cameroon and Ghana’s defeat to Malawi.

Algeria made history by reaching the World Cup for the first time. The Fennecs recovered from an early setback to beat Côte d’Ivoire 2-1, with Ines Khiri and Amira Ould Braham completing the comeback and sending Algeria into the last four.

Morocco, the tournament hosts, also secured their place in Brazil after defeating South Africa 2-1. Sakina Ouzraoui Diki and Hanane Ait El Haj scored for the Atlas Lionesses, who remain in contention for a first WAFCON title on home soil.

Cameroon delivered one of the tournament’s biggest upsets by defeating defending champions Nigeria 1-0. Myriam Nyadjou, 19, scored the decisive goal to send the Indomitable Lionesses into the semi-finals and back to the Women’s World Cup.

Malawi completed the surprise quartet after beating Ghana 2-1. Temwa Chawinga cancelled out Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah’s opener before Rose Kadzere scored the winner, giving the Scorchers their first-ever qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The semi-finals will see Morocco face Cameroon and Algeria take on Malawi, with the winners advancing to the WAFCON final. Meanwhile, Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa still have a route to Brazil through the additional play-off stage.

Côte d’Ivoire will meet Ghana while Nigeria face South Africa in the next stage. The two winners will advance to the intercontinental play-offs, where three teams will ultimately secure places at the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

The four confirmed African qualifiers are therefore Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon and Malawi. For Algeria and Malawi, the achievement marks a historic first appearance at the Women’s World Cup, while Morocco and Cameroon will return to the global stage.