2027 Women’s World Cup: Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon, Malawi Qualify for Brazil

Four African countries have secured automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after reaching the semi-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

Algeria, hosts Morocco, Cameroon and Malawi all won their respective quarter-final matches to earn places at next year’s global tournament in Brazil.

The WAFCON is doubling as Africa’s qualifying competition, meaning the four semi-finalists automatically qualify for the World Cup.

Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa, however, still have a second opportunity to qualify through the play-off route.

Algeria make World Cup history

Algeria secured their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification with a 2-1 comeback victory over Côte d’Ivoire.

The Fennecs conceded first but responded with goals from Ines Khiri and Amira Ould Braham to complete the turnaround.

The win sent Algeria into the WAFCON semi-finals and secured their historic debut at the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

Morocco qualify on home soil

Morocco defeated South Africa 2-1 in the quarter-finals to book their place at the World Cup.

Sakina Ouzraoui Diki and Hanane Ait El Haj scored for the Atlas Lionesses as the hosts progressed to the last four.

Morocco will now have the opportunity to pursue their first WAFCON title on home soil while also preparing for a third successive appearance at the Women’s World Cup.

Cameroon eliminate defending champions Nigeria

Cameroon produced a major upset by defeating Nigeria’s Super Falcons 1-0 in the quarter-finals.

Myriam Nyadjou, 19, scored the decisive goal with a long-range effort that sent the Indomitable Lionesses into the semi-finals.

The defeat ended Nigeria’s hopes of retaining the WAFCON title but did not completely eliminate the Super Falcons’ chances of qualifying for the 2027 World Cup.

Malawi reach World Cup for first time

Malawi also made history by defeating Ghana 2-1 and securing their first-ever qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Ghana took an early lead through Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, but Temwa Chawinga equalised for Malawi.

Rose Kadzere then scored the decisive goal to complete the comeback and send the Scorchers into the WAFCON semi-finals.

Semi-final line-up

The WAFCON semi-final fixtures are:

Morocco vs Cameroon

Algeria vs Malawi

The winners will progress to the final and battle for the African championship.

Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa get another chance

The quarter-final defeats suffered by Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa have not ended their World Cup ambitions.

The four countries will compete in an African play-off, with the winners advancing to the intercontinental play-offs.

Côte d’Ivoire are scheduled to face Ghana on Thursday, while Nigeria will meet South Africa.

The two winners will join six other nations in a 10-team intercontinental play-off tournament. Three teams from that competition will ultimately qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The 2027 tournament will be held in Brazil from June 24 to July 25.

Four African countries already qualified

• Algeria
• Morocco
• Cameroon
• Malawi

These four nations have already secured their places in Brazil, while Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa must navigate the play-off route for a chance to join them.

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