The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations featured a dramatic and thrilling group stage, highlighted by several upsets—including the defending champions, Nigeria’s Super Falcons, losing 3-2 to debutants Malawi in their opening match, and Tanzania defeating former champions South Africa 2-1.
Another shock came as Zambia’s Copper Queens became the first team in WAFCON history to be eliminated from the group stage despite winning two matches and finishing with 6 points. When the head-to-head metrics among the three tied teams were applied—excluding results against Egypt—Malawi advanced first with four goals scored, Nigeria followed with three, and Zambia, despite their strong showing, were eliminated.
Both Malawi and Cabo Verde, debuting at the tournament, made a massive impact—Malawi topped Group C, while Cabo Verde’s Evy Pereira scored her nation’s historic first goal in the competition.
The competition now enters its knockout phase on August 8th and 9th, as the eight remaining nations vie for a place in the semi-finals and automatic qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
Côte d’Ivoire vs Algeria
Saturday, 8 August (18:00 local time)
Les Vertes of Algeria finished second in Group A, behind hosts Morocco, to reach the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations for the second time in their history, following the 2024 edition (which was held in 2025). Algeria can make history by securing their first-ever qualification for the Women’s World Cup by winning on Saturday.
Côte d’Ivoire are aiming to return to the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time since 2015, when their campaign ended with three defeats in as many matches. Their best performance at the Africa Cup of Nations remains a third-place finish in 2014. A similar run this year would secure their return to the World Cup, following a strong group stage showing that included two wins and a draw—against former champions South Africa.
Morocco vs South Africa
Saturday, 8 August (21:00 local time)
A second consecutive World Cup appearance is at stake for Morocco, and a third for South Africa. The hosts have reached the final in the last two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations, whilst the South Africans won the tournament in 2022.
In the 2026 edition, Banyana Banyana of South Africa struggled somewhat, suffering a 2–1 defeat to Tanzania before securing a 2–2 draw against Côte d’Ivoire and claiming their first victory against Burkina Faso.
Cameroon vs Nigeria
Sunday, 9 August (18:00 local time)
Cameroon finished top of Group D and are hoping to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in their history, following appearances in 2015 and 2019. To do so, they will need to defeat Nigeria, who are aiming for their 11th African title in 14 editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Super Falcons finished second in Group C following a surprise defeat to Malawi, a narrow 1–0 victory over Zambia and a convincing 6–2 win against Egypt. Nigeria have never missed a single edition of the Women’s World Cup, having qualified for the last nine tournaments.
Cameroon and Nigeria have faced each other 13 times in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations since 1998, with nine Nigerian wins, three draws and one Cameroon victory.
Malawi vs Ghana
Sunday, 9 August (21:00 local time)
In their debut appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Malawi are on the verge of a historic World Cup qualification. In Group C, they finished ahead of Nigeria and Zambia – who will therefore not be taking part in their second World Cup after 2023 – despite a 2–1 defeat on matchday three against the Copper Queens. They will face Ghana in the quarter-finals, whose last of three appearances at the Women’s World Cup was in 2007
