Malawi and Algeria will meet in the semi-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Wednesday, with both sides seeking to reach the final for the first time.
The match at Rabat’s Olympic Stadium is scheduled for 18:00 local time (17:00 GMT), with a place in the final at stake for two teams that have already made history at this year’s tournament.
Malawi are appearing at the WAFCON finals for the first time, while Algeria have reached the last four for the first time. Both countries have also secured qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
For Malawi, their run has exceeded expectations on their tournament debut.
The Scorchers reached the semi-finals after beating Ghana 2-1 in the quarter-finals, becoming the first WAFCON debutants since Zimbabwe in 2000 to reach the last four.
Zimbabwe’s run 26 years ago ended at the semi-final stage when they were beaten by Nigeria.
A victory over Algeria would take Malawi into their first major women’s international final and extend what has already been a landmark campaign.
Their World Cup qualification has also given the achievement greater significance.
Malawi will become only the second national team from the country, across senior and youth men’s and women’s football, to qualify for a FIFA World Cup tournament.
The only previous Malawian side to feature at a FIFA World Cup was the men’s Under-17 team, which competed at the 2009 tournament.
The Scorchers have spent most of their WAFCON campaign in Rabat.
Three of their first four matches were played at Al Madina Stadium, against Nigeria, Zambia and Ghana, while their meeting with Egypt took place at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium.
Wednesday’s semi-final will therefore take them to a third venue in the Moroccan capital, the Olympic Stadium.
Algeria, meanwhile, arrive at the last four after producing their first victory in a WAFCON knockout match.
The North Africans came from behind to defeat Ivory Coast 2-1 in their quarter-final at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca, securing their first-ever semi-final appearance in the competition.
Before this tournament, Algeria’s only previous knockout match at the WAFCON had ended in a 0-0 draw with Ghana in 2024. They eventually lost that tie 4-2 on penalties.
Their quarter-final success means Algeria have still never been beaten in a WAFCON knockout match during normal playing time.
They will also be making their first appearance at a FIFA Women’s World Cup after securing their place at the 2027 tournament.
There is another historical parallel for Algeria. Like the country’s men’s team at the 2014 World Cup, the women’s side will make their World Cup debut at a tournament hosted by Brazil.
The semi-final will also be a first competitive WAFCON meeting between Malawi and Algeria.
Algeria have already played twice at the Olympic Stadium during this tournament, recording 2-0 victories over Senegal and Kenya in their first and third group matches.
They returned to Rabat after travelling to Casablanca for their quarter-final against Ivory Coast.
