The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco is doubling as Africa’s qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, with the four teams that reach the semi-finals earning automatic tickets to the global competition.

Four countries have already secured their places at next year’s tournament in Brazil after advancing to the last four of WAFCON.

They are Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon and Malawi, with each nation booking its place at the World Cup through its quarter-final victory.

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

Here are the four African countries that have qualified for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

1. Algeria

Algeria made history by securing their first-ever qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup after producing a remarkable comeback against Côte d’Ivoire.

The Fennecs fell behind early but responded strongly to defeat the Ivorians 2-1 in their WAFCON quarter-final.

Ines Khiri and Amira Ould Braham scored the goals that completed Algeria’s comeback and secured their place in the semi-finals.

The victory means Algeria will make their debut at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027.

2. Morocco

Hosts Morocco also booked their place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after overcoming South Africa 2-1 in the quarter-finals.

Sakina Ouzraoui Diki and Hanane Ait El Haj were on target for the Atlas Lionesses as they progressed to the WAFCON semi-finals.

The result keeps Morocco’s hopes of winning the continental title on home soil alive while also guaranteeing them a third successive appearance at the Women’s World Cup.

3. Cameroon

Cameroon secured their World Cup ticket after stunning defending champions Nigeria in one of the biggest results of the WAFCON quarter-finals.

The Indomitable Lionesses defeated the Super Falcons 1-0, with 19-year-old Myriam Nyadjou scoring the only goal of the encounter.

Nyadjou’s long-range effort proved decisive as Cameroon advanced to the semi-finals and ended Nigeria’s hopes of retaining their African title.

The result also guarantees Cameroon a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

4. Malawi

Malawi produced one of the biggest surprises of the tournament by defeating Ghana 2-1 to reach the WAFCON semi-finals and qualify for the World Cup for the first time.

The Scorchers fell behind when Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah put Ghana ahead early in the match.

Malawi responded through Temwa Chawinga, who restored parity before Rose Kadzere scored the winning goal.

The historic victory secured Malawi’s first-ever qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

WAFCON 2026 semi-final fixtures

The four qualified teams will now battle for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.

The semi-final matches are:

  • Morocco vs Cameroon
  • Algeria vs Malawi

The winners will advance to the WAFCON final and compete for the continental championship.

Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa still have a chance

Although Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa were eliminated in the quarter-finals, their hopes of reaching the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup remain alive.

The four teams will enter an additional African play-off, with the winners moving on to the intercontinental play-offs.

Côte d’Ivoire will face Ghana on Thursday, while Nigeria will battle South Africa.

The two winners will join the six other teams in the 10-team intercontinental play-offs, where three teams will ultimately qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The tournament is scheduled to run from June 24 to July 25, 2027, in Brazil.

African countries qualified for 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup

The four African nations that have already secured their places are:

  1. Algeria
  2. Morocco
  3. Cameroon
  4. Malawi

These four countries will represent Africa at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, while Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa continue their campaigns through the play-off route.

Vanguard News