Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon and Malawi book 2027 Women's World Cup spots
Four African nations have secured places at the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil by reaching the Wafcon semi-finals in Morocco.
The Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), currently being held in Morocco, is doubling as a qualifying route to next summer's Women's World Cup, with any team reaching the semi-finals guaranteed a spot in Brazil.
Algeria defeated a 10-player Ivory Coast side 2-1 in the quarter-finals, with Ines Khiri and Amira Ould Braham scoring after their opponents had a player sent off while leading 1-0. The result marks Algeria's first-ever qualification for a Women's World Cup.
Morocco beat South Africa 2-1 courtesy of goals from Sakina Ouzraoui Diki and Hanane Ait El Haj, while Cameroon edged past Nigeria 1-0 thanks to a stunning 30-yard free-kick from 19-year-old Myriam Nyadjou.
The biggest surprise came from Malawi, ranked 153rd in the world, who came from behind to beat Ghana 2-1 with goals from Temwa Chawinga and Rose Kadzere.
The Wafcon semi-finals go ahead on Wednesday, pitting Morocco against Cameroon and Algeria against Malawi. The four teams eliminated at the quarter-final stage — Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and South Africa — still have a route to the World Cup: Ivory Coast face Ghana and Nigeria play South Africa on Thursday, with the winners advancing to a 10-nation intercontinental play-off in November and December, from which three more teams will qualify.
The 2027 Women's World Cup, running from 24 June to 25 July, will feature 32 teams. Eighteen qualifiers are confirmed so far, while England, the Republic of Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all remain in contention through the European play-offs scheduled for October to December, each needing to win two two-legged ties.
