Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon and Malawi have each secured qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil by reaching the semi-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. All four sides advanced from the quarter-finals, with the tournament’s format guaranteeing a World Cup place to any nation reaching the last four. Algeria and Malawi will make their Women’s World Cup debuts in Brazil, while Morocco return having made their first appearance in 2023, and Cameroon will compete at the tournament for a third time.
The 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, which runs from 24 June to 25 July, will feature 32 nations. Four of those places now belong to Africa’s last four standing — a group defined as much by who is absent as who remains. Nigeria, the reigning continental champions, are out. So are South Africa and Ghana. The WAFCON will produce a first-time African champion: none of the four semi-finalists has ever lifted the trophy.
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For Algeria and Malawi, the achievement carries particular weight. Neither nation had previously qualified for the Women’s World Cup. Malawi arrived at the tournament ranked 153rd in the world.
Khiri and Ould Braham turn the tide for Algeria
Algeria’s path to the semi-finals ran through an Ivory Coast side that had taken the lead and were pressing for more. The contest shifted when Ivory Coast’s N’Sira Oudraogo was sent off while the Ivorians led 1-0. Algeria converted the numerical advantage into a 2-1 victory, with Ines Khiri and Amira Ould Braham both finding the net.
Morocco see off South Africa
Morocco defeated South Africa 2-1, with Sakina Ouzraoui Diki and Hanane Ait El Haj scoring. Morocco, who made their debut at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, are back on the global stage.
Nyadjou’s free-kick ends Nigeria’s reign
Cameroon eliminated Nigeria — the reigning WAFCON champions — with a 1-0 victory settled by a single moment of quality. Myriam Nyadjou, 19 years old, struck a free-kick from 30 yards to decide the match. The result ends any prospect of Nigeria defending the continental title and confirms that the WAFCON throne will pass to a new holder.
Chawinga and Kadzere send Malawi through
Malawi, ranked 153rd in the world, beat Ghana 2-1. Temwa Chawinga and Rose Kadzere scored for Malawi, whose place in the semi-finals — and therefore at the 2027 World Cup — represents the most unlikely qualification of the four.
The road ahead for the eliminated sides
Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and South Africa all exit the World Cup race through the main draw, but two of those nations retain a route to Brazil. Ivory Coast face Ghana, and Nigeria face South Africa, in play-in matches, with the two winners advancing to the intercontinental play-off tournament in November and December. That tournament will feature ten nations — two each from Africa, Asia, Concacaf and South America, and one each from Oceania and Europe — with three of the ten ultimately earning World Cup places.
Semi-finals set the bracket
The WAFCON semi-finals will see Morocco face Cameroon, and Algeria meet Malawi. Both ties carry continental significance beyond a place in the final: whichever nations win will meet in a match that decides who takes the WAFCON trophy for the first time. All four sides have already secured their passage to Brazil — what remains is a question of silverware, and of which nation arrives at the 2027 Women’s World Cup as Africa’s champion.
