The quarterfinals of WAFCON 2026 are set to showcase some gripping encounters, as the tournament moves into its critical knockout phase. Hosts Morocco, who emerged undefeated at the top of Group A, will face the reigning champions South Africa in a highly anticipated rematch of last final.
Meanwhile, Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire will clash after both teams navigated through fiercely competitive North and West African groups, each finishing as group leaders in tightly contested battles.
Heavyweights and Debutants Collide
Cameroon, buoyed by the tournament’s top scorer Marie Ngah Manga, will confront the formidable defending champions Nigeria. Nigeria enters this stage on the back of a commanding 6-2 victory over Egypt, setting up a heavyweight showdown between two African football powerhouses.
On the other side of the draw, debutant surprise package Malawi awaits their quarterfinal opponent, which will be decided in Thursday’s decisive match between Ghana and Mali. Ghana holds the advantage, needing only a draw to progress, while Mali must secure a victory to advance.
Each of these eight teams now faces the dual stakes of progressing further in the tournament and securing automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup, underscoring the high stakes as WAFCON 2026 enters its business end.