The quarter-finals of WAFCON 2026 are set after the conclusion of the group stage in Morocco and with it, automatic FIFA World Cup places up for grabs for the winners of this stage.
Hosts Morocco advanced as Group A winners after an unbeaten campaign that saw them finish top without conceding a goal, securing a third consecutive quarter-final appearance. Algeria also progressed after finishing second, reaching the knockout stage for the second tournament in a row, while Senegal and Kenya exited the competition.
Group B was topped by Côte d’Ivoire, who finished the group stage without defeat and collected seven points to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in 12 years. South Africa, winners in 2022, recovered from an opening defeat to Tanzania to secure second place and a 12th quarter-final appearance. Burkina Faso and Tanzania were eliminated.
Group C delivered the tournament’s biggest drama. Malawi, Nigeria and Zambia all finished on six points, with goals scored in the head-to-head matches between the three sides determining the final standings. Debutants Malawi topped the group, while defending and 10-time champions Nigeria maintained their record of reaching the quarter-finals in all 14 of their WAFCON appearances. Zambia were eliminated on the tie-break criteria, while Egypt finished bottom without a point.
Cameroon topped Group D after avoiding defeat across their three matches, reaching the quarter-finals for a 12th time. Ghana secured the runners-up spot on the final day to make their eighth appearance in the knockout stage. Mali narrowly missed out on qualification, while Cabo Verde exited the tournament after collecting one point.
With the group stage complete, the quarter-final line-up is now confirmed:
Algeria, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Malawi, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa.
Quarter-final fixtures
Saturday, 8 August
- Côte d’Ivoire vs Algeria
- Morocco vs South Africa
Saturday, 8 August
- Malawi vs Ghana
- Cameroon vs Nigeria
The quarter-finals carry significance beyond the race for the continental title, with World Cup qualification also at stake. All four semi-finalists will secure automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
For the four teams eliminated at the quarter-final stage, the road to the World Cup remains open through the qualifying play-offs. The losing quarter-finalists will compete in two play-off matches on Thursday, 13 August, with the two winners advancing to the FIFA Women’s World Cup inter-confederation play-offs.
The play-off fixtures are:
- Loser Quarter-final 2 vs Loser Quarter-final 3
- Loser Quarter-final 1 vs Loser Quarter-final 4
The knockout stage brings several key storylines. Hosts Morocco are chasing a first WAFCON title, while defending champions Nigeria aim for an 11th crown. Cameroon continue their search for a maiden title, and South Africa are targeting a second championship after their 2022 triumph.
Elsewhere, Côte d’Ivoire, Algeria, Malawi and Ghana will all sense a major opportunity. Ghana have reached three previous finals, while the other three nations are aiming to reach the WAFCON final for the first time.
With the group stage complete, attention now shifts to the quarter-finals, where the stakes become even greater. For the eight teams still standing, continental glory, World Cup qualification and a place in WAFCON history are now just three wins away.
