Algeria and Morocco have officially earned their places in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil following their respective quarter-final wins in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). By advancing to the WAFCON semi-finals, both North African teams guaranteed their automatic qualification for the upcoming global tournament.
Algeria achieved a historic milestone by qualifying for their first Women’s World Cup. Despite trailing after an Ines Konan goal, they rallied to beat Côte d’Ivoire 2-1. The momentum shifted when Ivorian player N’Sira Ouedraogo received a red card. Algeria capitalized in the second half, with goals from Ines Khiri and Amira Braham sealing the win.
Morocco also claimed a spot in Brazil by defeating reigning champions South Africa 2-1. Sakina Ouzraoui opened the scoring with an impressive lob, and Hanane Ait El Haj added a second from the penalty spot. Although Thembi Kgatlana scored for South Africa late in the match, Morocco maintained their lead to secure a second consecutive World Cup appearance.
The remaining two African qualification slots will be determined by the final quarter-final matches between Cameroon and Nigeria, and Malawi versus Ghana. Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa still have a path to the tournament via the FIFA Play-Off Tournament, with a direct match between the two sides scheduled for 13 August to determine who moves closer to qualification.
