Algeria have qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time in their history after coming from behind to defeat Côte d’Ivoire 2–1 in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026.
The victory also sends Algeria into the WAFCON semi-finals for the first time, marking two historic achievements for Farid Benstiti’s side in the same match. Ines Khiri and Amira Ould Brahamscored in the second half to overturn Ines Konan’s first-half opener for Côte d’Ivoire.
Algeria will face the winner of Malawi and Ghana in the semi-finals.
The Fennecs were forced to recover from a difficult start after Côte d’Ivoire took the lead in the 30th minute. Ines Konan finished confidently to reward the Ivorians, who had begun the quarter-final with the greater attacking threat.
The contest changed dramatically before half-time when Côte d’Ivoire were reduced to ten players following the dismissal of Habibou Ouedraogo.
Algeria also had to make an early change after Morgane Ikene went off injured, with Morgane Belkhiter coming on.
The numerical advantage gave Algeria an opportunity to take control after the interval, and coach Benstiti responded with attacking substitutions, bringing on Ikram Adjabi and Ines Khiri.
Khiri made an immediate impact.
The forward equalised in the 58th minute, bringing Algeria level and shifting momentum decisively towards the Fennecs.
Côte d’Ivoire were then presented with an opportunity to restore their lead when they were awarded a penalty four minutes later. Rebecca Elloh, however, failed to convert from the spot.
Algeria punished the miss almost immediately.
Just two minutes after the penalty, Marine Dafeur supplied a pass for Amira Ould Braham, who kept her composure to finish in the 64th minute and put Algeria ahead for the first time.
Côte d’Ivoire refused to collapse despite playing with ten players and pressed for an equaliser that would have taken the match into extra time.
Algeria’s defence, which had been one of the strongest in the tournament, stood firm. Goalkeeper Chloé N’Gazi helped organise the back line as the Fennecs absorbed the late pressure and protected their 2–1 advantage until the final whistle.
The result ends Côte d’Ivoire’s campaign in the WAFCON knockout stage, although their hopes of reaching the 2027 World Cup are not completely over. Under FIFA and CAF’s expanded qualification format, the four quarter-final losers will contest an African play-off, with two teams advancing to the FIFA inter-confederation play-offs for another opportunity to qualify for Brazil.
For Algeria, however, the significance of the victory is already historic.
The Fennecs had never previously reached the semi-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and had never qualified for the Women’s World Cup. By reaching the last four in Morocco, they have now achieved both milestones.
The achievement represents a major breakthrough for Algerian women’s football and gives Benstiti’s side an opportunity to compete for their country’s first WAFCON title.
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