Algeria and Morocco have both qualified for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Their qualification was confirmed after securing victories in their respective Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarter-final matches. These wins also propelled them into the WAFCON semi-finals, granting automatic qualification for the global tournament.
Algeria made history by qualifying for the World Cup for the first time. They achieved this by defeating Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 in a quarter-final match held in Casablanca. The Algerian team came from behind to secure their victory. Morocco also earned their spot in the World Cup by overcoming South Africa with the same 2-1 scoreline.
Algeria’s Historic Qualification
The match between Côte d’Ivoire and Algeria took place at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca. Côte d’Ivoire initially took the lead in the 29th minute through Ines Konan. However, the dynamics of the game shifted significantly when N’Sira Ouedraogo of Côte d’Ivoire was sent off before half-time for kicking Algeria goalkeeper Chloe N’Gazi in the face. This red card proved to be a pivotal moment in the match.
Following the red card, Algeria capitalised on their numerical advantage. Substitutes Ines Khiri and Amira Braham scored two goals within six minutes, just before and after the hour mark, turning the match in favour of the North African side. Between Algeria‘s goals, Côte d’Ivoire missed an opportunity to regain the lead when Rebecca Elloh hit the post from a penalty kick. This victory marks Algeria‘s first time reaching the WAFCON semi-finals and their inaugural qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Prior to this quarter-final, Côte d’Ivoire had played all their group matches in Casablanca, while Algeria played their three group-stage matches in Rabat. This quarter-final was the first meeting between Côte d’Ivoire and Algeria at the WAFCON. Algeria‘s record against West African nations in WAFCON matches stood at three wins, two draws, and five defeats in 10 previous encounters. They were unbeaten in their last three WAFCON matches against West African teams, with one win and two draws before this game. Their first WAFCON win against West African opposition was a 3-0 victory over Mali in 2004.
Algeria had previously drawn 0-0 with Nigeria in their final group match at the previous edition of WAFCON and had another goalless draw against Ghana in the quarter-finals, which they lost on penalties. They defeated Senegal 2-0 in their opening match of the current tournament. Algeria‘s victory over Senegal was their third against West African opposition. Côte d’Ivoire was the fifth different West African team Algeria had faced at the finals, having previously played Ghana four times, Nigeria three times, Mali twice, and Senegal once.
Algeria had won two group-stage matches at the same edition for the first time in this tournament, collecting six points, which was their highest total in a WAFCON group stage. They had earned five points at the previous edition. Algeria had lost only one of their last seven WAFCON matches in open play, recording three wins and three draws, with their only defeat in that sequence being a 1-0 loss to Morocco in their second group match at the current edition. They had also kept six clean sheets in their last seven WAFCON matches, conceding only once. This was Algeria’s second appearance in the knockout rounds and their second in succession. Their only previous knockout match ended in a 0-0 draw against Ghana in the 2024 quarter-finals, where Algeria lost the shoot-out 4-2.
Remaining Qualification Paths
With Algeria and Morocco securing their places, two additional African nations will join them at the 2027 World Cup. These spots will be determined by the outcomes of the remaining WAFCON quarter-finals. Cameroon is set to face Nigeria, while Malawi will play against Ghana. The winners of these matches will automatically qualify for the World Cup.
For the teams that did not secure automatic qualification, there is still a pathway to the World Cup. Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa, the two defeated quarter-finalists, remain in contention through the FIFA Play-Off Tournament. These two teams are scheduled to meet in a play-off match on August 13. The winner of this match will advance to the 2027 World Cup, alongside one of the other two losing quarter-finalists. The 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup is scheduled to be held in Brazil.
Côte d’Ivoire had progressed beyond the group stage for the second time in their third tournament appearance, having also done so in 2014. They completed a WAFCON group stage undefeated for the first time and were unbeaten in their last four WAFCON matches, a run that began with a 1-0 victory over South Africa in the 2014 third-place play-off. Their record during this sequence was three wins and one draw. They conceded three goals in the group stage, their fewest in a WAFCON group campaign, and scored eight group-stage goals, their most at a single edition. Their highest total at a WAFCON was nine goals in 2014. Côte d’Ivoire had finished a WAFCON group stage with a positive goal difference for the first time.
This was the second time Côte d’Ivoire had reached the knockout rounds. Their first knockout match ended in a 2-1 extra-time defeat to Cameroon in the 2014 semi-finals. They then defeated South Africa 1-0 in the 2014 third-place play-off. Côte d’Ivoire had scored in all 11 of their WAFCON matches. They progressed as Group B winners, defeating Burkina Faso 4-1 and Tanzania 2-0, with a 2-2 draw against South Africa. N’Sira Ouedraogo had two goals and three assists at the current finals, registering a goal involvement in each of Côte d’Ivoire’s three matches. Akissi Konan scored Côte d’Ivoire’s second goal against Tanzania, becoming the second Ivorian player to score at least three goals at a single WAFCON.
Algeria will face either Malawi or Ghana in the WAFCON semi-finals. The draw for the 32-nation World Cup in Brazil is set for next year.
Source: punchng.com