Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon and Malawi reach 2027 Women’s World Cup

Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon and Malawi have secured their places at the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil by reaching the semi-finals of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament, hosted by Morocco, doubles as the World Cup qualifiers, with the four semi-finalists earning direct entry to next year's competition. Algeria qualified for the Women's World Cup for the first time in their history with a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast. Ivory Coast were reduced to 10 players following the dismissal of Nesserah Ouedraogo while leading 1-0, before Ines Khiri and Amira Ould Brahem scored to give Algeria the win. Morocco also defeated South Africa 2-1, with goals from Sakina Ouzraoui Diki and Hanane Ait El Haj, securing their second consecutive World Cup appearance after reaching the round of 16 in 2023 before losing to France. Cameroon reached the semi-finals with a 1-0 victory over Nigeria, courtesy of 19-year-old Miriam Njoya, who scored with a spectacular free-kick from around 30 yards. Malawi, ranked 153rd in the world, caused a major upset by beating Ghana 2-1. After conceding first, Malawi fought back with goals from Temwa Chawinga and Rose Kadzere to claim Africa's final direct qualification spot. In the semi-finals on Wednesday, Morocco will face Cameroon and Algeria will play Malawi. The four losing quarter-finalists—Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and South Africa—still have a chance to qualify. Ivory Coast play Ghana and Nigeria face South Africa on Thursday, with the two winners advancing to the 10-team inter-confederation play-offs in November and December, where three further World Cup spots will be decided. The 2027 Women's World Cup will take place in Brazil from 24 June to 25 July, featuring 32 teams. Eighteen teams have qualified so far: Algeria, Cameroon, Malawi and Morocco from Africa; Australia, China, Japan, North Korea, the Philippines and South Korea from Asia; Denmark, France, Germany and Spain from Europe; New Zealand from Oceania; and Argentina, hosts Brazil and Colombia from South America. England, Republic of Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will also compete in the European play-offs from October to December, requiring each team to win two two-legged ties.