Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon and Malawi Qualify for First Women's World Cup as Wafcon Delivers History

Four African nations booked their tickets to the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil by reaching the semi-finals of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco — and for every one of them, the journey there carried its own drama.

Wafcon doubles as the qualifying route for African teams to reach the World Cup. Reach the last four, and your place at the tournament is secure. Miss out, and there is still a back door through intercontinental play-offs, but the guarantee is gone.

Algeria qualified for a Women's World Cup for the first time in their history after beating Ivory Coast 2-1 in their quarter-final. The Ivorians led 1-0 before N'Sira Oudraogo was sent off, turning the match on its head. Ines Khiri and Amira Ould Braham scored the goals that sent Algeria through. For a nation that had never previously reached this stage, it is a milestone that needs no embellishment. (BBC Sport)

Morocco, the tournament hosts, defeated South Africa 2-1. Sakina Ouzraoui Diki and Hanane Ait El Haj got the goals in front of a home crowd that now has a semi-final to look forward to. Morocco and Algeria were the first two African nations to confirm their World Cup places, according to FIFA's qualifying records. (FIFA)

Cameroon beat Nigeria 1-0 in a tight, tense derby between two heavyweights of the African women's game. The only goal came from a 30-yard free-kick by Myriam Nyadjou — a 19-year-old who struck the ball with the kind of conviction that belied her years.

Then there is Malawi. Ranked 153rd in the world, they trailed Ghana before Temwa Chawinga and Rose Kadzere turned the quarter-final on its head with a 2-1 win. For a team ranked that low to reach a Women's World Cup is the story of the tournament, and possibly the story of the year in African football. (BBC Sport)

The semi-finals pit Morocco against Cameroon and Algeria against Malawi, with the winners contesting the Wafcon final. (BBC Sport)

For the four quarter-final losers, the road is not over. Ivory Coast will play Ghana and Nigeria will face South Africa in play-off matches, with the winners entering a 10-nation intercontinental play-off tournament. Three of those ten teams will qualify for the World Cup, which runs from 24 June to 25 July 2027. (BBC Sport)

Six African teams will ultimately compete in Brazil. Four have already arrived through the front door. The last two will have to find their way through the back.