WAFCON 2026: What are the chances for African teams in the World Cup play-off?

13.08.26 13:00 Africa Women Cup of Nations

Côte d'Ivoire W

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Ghana W

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After being knocked out in the quarter-finals of the WAFCON 2026, the national teams of Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, South Africa, and Nigeria are not done yet. On Thursday, August 13, they face a crucial clash—a final before the real final. The stakes couldn't be higher: snatching one of two African tickets to the intercontinental play-off for a spot at the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil. How does it all work?

Casablanca: The last chance for Africa

Two matches are on the schedule with two play-off tickets up for grabs. At 17:00 GMT at the Arabi Zaouli Stadium, Côte d'Ivoire take on Ghana. In the WAFCON quarter-finals, the Elephants fell 1-2 to Algeria, while the Black Queens were edged out 1-2 by Malawi. At 20:00 GMT at the Moulay Rachid Stadium, South Africa, who lost 1-2 to Morocco, face Nigeria, who were narrowly defeated 0-1 by Cameroon. The winner of each clash keeps their World Cup dream alive.

A three-stage journey to Brazil

The road ahead is long. After Casablanca, the two winners move on to the first FIFA play-off tournament at a central location. Six teams will compete: two from CAF, two from the AFC, one from Oceania, and one from CONMEBOL. Only two tickets are available from this round.

Next comes the final stage. The two qualifiers will then take on two teams from CONCACAF, one from CONMEBOL, and one from UEFA for the last World Cup spots.

In the end, three teams will have the opportunity to punch their tickets to the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup through the play-off tournament.

Nafongo TRAORE |

News Editorfr, ar, en

Nafongon Moussa TRAORE, Burkinabè de 25 ans, est passionné de football, est rédacteur pour Foot Africa et commentateur pour BurkiFoot.

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