The Confédération Africaine de Football [CAF] has 54 FIFA members. 39 entered the qualifiers for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, but Chad and Congo withdrew after the draw for the preliminary rounds, leaving 37 participating teams.

Four CAF teams qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, and two advance to the interconfederation playoffs. There are two phases of play prior to the playoffs.

PRELIMINARY ROUNDS

• 38 teams
  • 32 lowest teams in FIFA ranking enter in first round
  • Remaining 6 teams enter in second round
  • Bye: Morocco [host nation of Women’s African Nations Cup]
• Two rounds:
  • First round: Sixteen pairs
  • Second round: Eleven pairs
• Two legs [home and away]
  • Winner decided on aggregate goals [away goals tiebreaker applies; no extra time; penalties if needed]
• 15 teams advance to Women’s African Nations Cup:
  • Second round winners
  • Four highest in FIFA rankings amongst losing second round teams
• Remaining 23 teams eliminated

WOMEN’S AFRICAN NATIONS CUP

• Host: Morocco
• Group phase:
  • 16 teams:
    • Morocco [host nation]
    • 15 teams advancing from second preliminary round
  • Four groups: 4 teams each
  • Single round robin
  • 8 teams advance to elimination phase:
    • Top two teams in each group
  • Remaining 8 teams eliminated
• Elimination phase:
  • 8 teams
  • Three rounds:
    • Quarterfinals: Four matches
    • Semifinals: Two matches
    • Third place and final: Two matches
  • Single matches [extra time and penalties if needed]
  • 4 teams qualify for final tournament:
    • Winners of quarterfinal matches
  • Remaining 4 teams advance to repechage playoffs
• Repechage playoffs:
  • 4 teams
  • Two matches
  • Single matches [extra time and penalties if needed]
  • 2 teams advance to interconfederation playoffs league phase:
    • Winners of playoff matches
  • Remaining 2 teams eliminated