Cameroon, Morocco and Algeria have become the first three teams to qualify for the WAFCON quarter-finals, securing their places in the knockout stage after impressive performances at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Cameroon became the first nation to reach the last eight after edging Ghana 1-0 on Sunday.

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The victory moved the Indomitable Lionesses to six points from two Group D matches, guaranteeing a top-two finish regardless of the outcome of their final group fixture against Cape Verde.

Hosts Morocco followed on Monday by finishing top of Group A after a hard-fought goalless draw against Senegal in Rabat.

The Atlas Lionesses ended the group stage unbeaten with seven points, enough to secure first place and continue their pursuit of a first continental title.

Algeria also booked a place in the knockout phase after defeating Kenya 2-0, finishing second in Group A with six points from three matches to join Morocco in the last eight.

The qualification of the host nation provides another boost for Morocco, which entered the tournament among the favourites after reaching the final of the previous edition and continuing to invest heavily in women’s football.

Cameroon, meanwhile, has reaffirmed its reputation as one of Africa’s traditional powerhouses, while Algeria has returned to the knockout stage with a disciplined group-stage campaign.

With three places now confirmed in the WAFCON quarter-finals, attention shifts to the remaining group fixtures, where defending champions Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and several other contenders are bidding to complete the last-eight line-up.