Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon and Malawi have all sealed qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco is also serving as a qualifying tournament, with any nation reaching the semi-finals earning a place at next summer’s finals.
Algeria and Morocco book historic spots
Algeria beat 10-player Ivory Coast 2-1, with goals from Ines Khiri and Amira Ould Braham, after N’Sira Oudraogo was sent off while the Ivorians led 1-0. The result sent Algeria into the Wafcon last four and secured qualification for a Women’s World Cup for the first time. Morocco defeated South Africa 2-1 thanks to goals from Sakina Ouzraoui Diki and Hanane Ait El Haj, claiming their place at a second World Cup after losing to France in the last 16 in 2023.
Cameroon and Malawi complete the quartet
Cameroon secured a 1-0 victory over Nigeria, with 19-year-old Myriam Nyadjou scoring a spectacular 30-yard free-kick. The fourth spot went to Malawi, ranked 153rd in the world, who caused a huge shock by beating Ghana 2-1, coming from behind through goals from Temwa Chawinga and Rose Kadzere.
The Wafcon semi-finals will take place on Wednesday, with Morocco facing Cameroon before Algeria meet Malawi. The four nations beaten in the quarter-finals, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and South Africa, still have a chance to qualify for the World Cup. On Thursday, Ivory Coast play Ghana and Nigeria face South Africa, with the two winners progressing to the 10-nation intercontinental play-offs in November and December. Three of those 10 countries will qualify for next summer’s World Cup, which begins on 24 June and ends on 25 July.
European hopefuls await play-offs
England, Republic of Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all still have a chance of qualifying through the European play-offs, which will take place from October to December. Each of the five sides would need to win two two-legged ties to secure their place. There will be 32 nations competing at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, and 18 of the qualifiers are now known. Confirmed qualifiers so far include Algeria, Cameroon, Malawi and Morocco from Africa, Australia, China, Japan, North Korea, Philippines and South Korea from Asia, Denmark, France, Germany and Spain from Europe, New Zealand from Oceania, and Argentina, Brazil as hosts, and Colombia from South America.
