African quartet secure Women's World Cup places

Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon, and Malawi have all qualified for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil. The Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco is acting as a qualifying tournament, with any country that makes the semi-finals earning their places. Algeria beat 10-player Ivory Coast 2-1, with goals from Ines Khiri and Amira Ould Braham, to reach the Wafcon last four and qualify for a Women's World Cup for the first time. Goals from Sakina Ouzraoui Diki and Hanane Ait El Haj helped Morocco defeat South Africa 2-1, while Cameroon secured a 1-0 victory over Nigeria thanks to a 30-yard free-kick from 19-year-old Myriam Nyadjou. Malawi, 153rd in the world rankings, beat Ghana 2-1, coming from behind with goals from Temwa Chawinga and Rose Kadzere.

The Wafcon semi-finals will take place on Wednesday with Morocco taking on Cameroon before Algeria meet Malawi. The four nations that lost in the Wafcon quarter-finals - Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and South Africa - still have a chance to qualify for the World Cup. On Thursday, Ivory Coast play Ghana and Nigeria will face South Africa with the two winners going into the 10-nation intercontinental play-offs in November and December. Out of those 10 countries in the play-offs, three will qualify for next summer's World Cup, which begins on 24 June and ends on 25 July. The 2027 Women's World Cup will be held in Brazil from 24 June to 25 July.