The semi-final line-up for WAFCON 2026 sees Morocco, Cameroon, Algeria, and Malawi battle for places in the final after securing qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Their quarter-final victories not only kept their title ambitions alive but also confirmed their places among Africa’s representatives in Brazil next year.
Morocco have continued their impressive rise on the continental stage, reaching the semi-finals for a third consecutive edition and remaining unbeaten. The Atlas Lionesses, coached by Jorge Vilda, remain in pursuit of a maiden WAFCON title after overcoming South Africa, the side that beat them in the 2022 final. The hosts have won both previous semi-finals they have contested and a victory over Cameroon would make them only the third nation, after Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, to reach three consecutive WAFCON finals. Right-back Hanane Aït El Haj has been one of the tournament’s standout performers, contributing to five of Morocco’s seven goals with one goal and four assists.
Standing between the hosts and another final appearance is Cameroon. Under Valentine Nguele, the Indomitable Lionesses produced one of the shocks of the tournament by eliminating defending champions Nigeria in the quarter-finals. The Indomitable Lionesses have reached their 11th WAFCON semi-final, a tally bettered only by Nigeria, and are chasing a first continental crown after finishing runners-up in 2004, 2014, and 2016. Cameroon have yet to taste defeat in Morocco, while forward Marie Ngah Manga has been instrumental in their campaign with three goals heading into the last four.
The second semi-final pits two of the tournament’s breakthrough stories. Algeria, led by Farid Benstiti, have enjoyed a historic campaign, reaching the semi-finals for the first time and securing their first FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification. The Fennecs also recorded their first-ever WAFCON knockout victory by coming from behind to defeat Côte d’Ivoire in the quarter-finals. Captain Marine Dafeur has led from the front with two goals and one assist as Algeria continue their remarkable run.
Facing them are tournament debutants Malawi, whose dream run continues under Lovemore Fazili. The Scorchers have exceeded expectations by reaching the semi-finals in their first WAFCON appearance after defeating Nigeria in their opening game and eliminating three-time runners-up Ghana in the quarter-finals. Malawi are the first debutants to reach the semi-finals since Zimbabwe in 2000 and could become the first debutants since the inaugural 1998 edition to reach the final. They have also qualified for a FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time, with Temwa Chawinga central to their success after contributing four goals and two assists.
The Algeria-Malawi clash guarantees a new WAFCON finalist. Neither nation has previously reached the final, with the winner becoming the seventh different country to do so since 1998, joining Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Morocco.
WAFCON 2026 is guaranteed to produce a first-time champion. With none of the four semi-finalists having previously lifted the trophy, a new nation will be crowned for the second time in three editions after South Africa won their maiden title in 2022. Only Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa have won the competition since 1998.
Semi-final Fixtures
- Algeria vs Malawi — Wednesday, 12 August, 18:00, Olympic Stadium, Rabat
- Morocco vs Cameroon — Wednesday, 12 August, 21:00, Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat
