Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Doubles as World Cup Qualifier

Women’s Africa Cup of Nations preview: Doubling up as World Cup qualifying, how to watch and more

A continental title is not the only thing on the line at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which begins today (Sunday). The four countries who reach the semifinals of this competition will also earn automatic qualification to next year’s World Cup in Brazil, with the four beaten quarterfinalists going into a playoff bracket that offers its winners a shot at securing their ticket to the finals via a six-team inter-continental playoff being staged in late 2026 and early 2027. The added press