Algeria and Morocco have become the first African countries to secure places at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after reaching the semi-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Algeria earned a historic first appearance at the Women’s World Cup by coming from behind to beat Côte d’Ivoire 2-1, while Morocco secured their second consecutive qualification for the global tournament with a 2-1 victory over defending champions South Africa.
Both teams guaranteed their places at Brazil 2027 by progressing to the last four of the African championship.
Algeria’s victory was achieved through a second-half comeback after Côte d’Ivoire had taken the lead in their quarter-final.
Ines Konan put the Ivorians in front in the 30th minute, giving Côte d’Ivoire an early advantage as they looked to continue their campaign.
However, the match changed significantly before the interval when Côte d’Ivoire were reduced to 10 players.
N’Sira Ouedraogo was sent off after being shown a red card for a high boot on Algeria goalkeeper Chloe N’Gazi.
The numerical advantage gave Algeria an opportunity to change the course of the match and they took it after the restart.
Ines Khiri levelled the contest in the 58th minute, producing a looping effort that went over Côte d’Ivoire goalkeeper Aramatou Diakite.
Algeria completed their comeback six minutes later.
Amira Braham found the bottom-right corner with a long-range strike to put the Fennecs ahead and send them into the semi-finals.
The victory also confirmed Algeria’s place at their first Women’s World Cup, making the achievement a significant milestone for the national team.
Morocco also booked their place at Brazil 2027 after overcoming South Africa in the other quarter-final.
The Atlas Lionesses established their advantage in the 29th minute when Sakina Ouzraoui scored with a first-time lob over South Africa goalkeeper Kaylin Swart.
Morocco extended their lead soon after half-time.
Hanane Ait El Haj converted a penalty after Noxolo Cesane brought down Ghizlane Chebbak, giving the hosts a two-goal cushion.
South Africa reduced the deficit in the 67th minute through Thembi Kgatlana, setting up a tense finish.
Morocco, however, managed to protect their advantage and secure a semi-final place, along with qualification for their second successive Women’s World Cup.
The achievement continues Morocco’s rise on the international stage.
At the 2023 Women’s World Cup, Morocco became the first Arab nation to reach the knockout stages of the competition.
Two more African countries will qualify automatically for the 2027 tournament after the remaining WAFCON quarter-finals are completed.
Cameroon will play Nigeria, while Malawi face Ghana on Sunday. The winners of both matches will join Algeria and Morocco at the World Cup in Brazil.
The defeated quarter-finalists will still have a route to qualification.
Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa remain in contention through the FIFA Play-Off Tournament. The two losing quarter-finalists will meet in a play-off on 13 August.
The winner of that match will then advance to the 2027 World Cup alongside one of the other two losing quarter-finalists.
The qualification race therefore remains open for the African teams that have not yet secured their places.
The 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be hosted by Brazil and will bring together leading women’s national teams from around the world.
For Algeria, qualification represents a first historic appearance at the tournament. Morocco, meanwhile, will return to the global stage after their breakthrough campaign in 2023.
With both North African teams already through to the semi-finals of WAFCON, they have combined continental success with early qualification for Brazil 2027.
