For African teams hoping to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will be the qualifying competition. Four countries will automatically qualify, while two more will move on to an intercontinental play-off.
The continental competition, which is set to take place from July 26 to August 16, 2026, will choose Africa’s first representatives at the expanded Women’s World Cup, according to a qualification guide released by FIFA on its website on Sunday.
FIFA states that the teams will be divided into four groups of four, and the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals.
A total of 16 countries will participate in the competition. They are Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia.
According to FIFA, the teams will be drawn into four groups of four, with the top two sides from each group progressing to the quarter-finals.
“The CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will serve as FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
“After a group stage with four groups of four, the top two teams of each group will qualify for the quarter-finals. All four semi-finalists will qualify for Brazil 2027,” FIFA said.
FIFA added that the four teams eliminated in the quarter-finals would still have a route to the World Cup.
“The six teams will be drawn into three paths, with a direct knockout match to determine the final three teams qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027. Teams from the same confederation will not be permitted to be drawn in the same pathway.”
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