Four more teams are headed to Brazil, as this weekend’s WAFCON quarterfinal winners punched their 2027 World Cup tickets. And the pack is led by a tournament underdog.
World No. 153 Malawi qualified for its first World Cup with Sunday’s 2-1 win over Ghana, spurred by a goal and assist from two-time NWSL MVP Temwa Chawinga.
Algeria also claimed a first-ever World Cup berth. Meanwhile, the two WWC debutantes join past participants Cameroon and Morocco in the WAFCON semis.
WAFCON will officially crown a first-time champion. Former winners Nigeria and South Africa have subsequently dropped to the losers bracket. They will now fight to reach Brazil via FIFA’s inter-confederation playoffs.
Should the Super Falcons fall, Nigeria will break a 35-year World Cup streak, having participated in every tournament since its 1991 inception.
The WAFCON semifinals kick off Wednesday at 1 PM ET (CAF TV).
