Cameroon win maiden WAFCON title with victory over Malawi
Cameroon defeated Malawi 3-0 in the WAFCON 2026 final to claim their first-ever continental trophy and secure a spot in the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Cameroon have been crowned champions of Africa for the first time after a dominant 3-0 victory against Malawi in the 2026 WAFCON final at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat. The Indomitable Lionesses, who had previously finished as runners-up on three occasions, secured the title with a clinical first-half performance.
Marie Ngah Manga netted a brace, while Naomi Eto added a third to put the result beyond doubt before the break. The victory concluded a historic tournament that witnessed a significant shift in the balance of power within African women's football.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who attended the final, hailed the event as a "huge, huge success." He praised the 16-team format and the organizers for highlighting the rapid development of the women's game on the continent.
The tournament proved to be a watershed moment as ten-time winners Nigeria failed to reach the semi-finals, missing out on the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil for the first time. Malawi, the lowest-ranked side entering the knockout stages, emerged as the tournament's breakout stars after eliminating giants like Nigeria and Ghana.
Alongside champions Cameroon and runners-up Malawi, Algeria and Morocco have also secured automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup. Further spots remain contested via play-offs, with the draw for the preliminary phase scheduled for 20 August 2026 in Zurich.