World Cup 2026: Defending champions Nigeria, Cape Verde and Malawi qualify

Cape Verde and Malawi are set to make their debut at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after securing their place in next year’s tournament alongside defending champions Nigeria.

In the run-up to their second-round clash with Angola, Malawi captain Tabitha Chawinga said expanding Wafcon from 12 to 16 teams would provide a “great showcase” for those nations not making their debut in the continental tournament.

A 2-0 aggregate win secured the Scorchers a place in the Morocco finals, with midfielder Faith Chinzimo the hero as her two late goals sealed victory in Lilongwe after a scoreless first leg.

Cape Verde won 4-2 away from home in Bamako, overturning a deficit in the first leg and winning 4-3 on aggregate against Mali.

The Cape Verdean women’s achievement will give football fans in the island nation another reason to celebrate after the men’s team qualified for the World Cup earlier this month.

Meanwhile, defending champions Nigeria will get the chance to defend the title they won in July after defeating Benin 3-1 on aggregate, with Ashley Plumpeter scoring as the second match between the two teams ended in a 1-1 draw in Abeokuta.

Among other teams to secure their place in the tournament, Kenya’s 4-1 aggregate win over Gambia will see the Harambee Stars make only their second appearance at the finals, following a group stage exit in 2016.

Likewise, Burkina Faso will play its second match after defeating Togo 3-0 in both legs.

They will be joined by Algeria, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania and Zambia – as will 2022 World Cup winners South Africa, who needed a 91st-minute goal to avoid a possible shock against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with Banyana Banyana eventually winning a 2-1 draw thanks to Thembi Kgatlana’s stoppage-time goal in Johannesburg.

With host country Morocco already securing its place, 12 countries have now been selected to participate in the finals, meaning there are four places still up for grabs.

Therefore, the 11 losing teams from the second round still have a chance to qualify, following the decision taken by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) at the beginning of October to expand the tournament.

CAF has also not confirmed the dates of the tournament, but FIFA has previously scheduled the Wafcon 2026 tournament to be held between March 17 and April 3.