Morocco Faces Algeria in Historic Third-Place Tie at WAFCON

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Morocco and Algeria face off in a highly anticipated third-place match at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. This North African derby will be a historic encounter, marking the first time two teams from the same region contest the third-place play-off.

According to CAF, the Confederation of African Football, this match-up will be a first for North African teams in a medal match at WAFCON. Morocco are seeking a third top-three finish at the competition, while Algeria are guaranteed their best-ever finish regardless of Saturday’s result.

Morocco were denied a place in the final after Cameroon held them to a goalless draw before winning 3-1 on penalties. This defeat ended Morocco’s hopes of reaching a third consecutive WAFCON final and marked the first time they had failed to reach at least the final as tournament hosts.

Algeria, on the other hand, suffered a 3-1 defeat to Malawi in the semi-final, ending their hopes of reaching the final. However, Saturday’s match still offers the opportunity to make history for Algeria, who will achieve their highest-ever finish at a WAFCON finals regardless of the outcome.

This match-up will be a closely watched encounter, with both teams looking to claim their place in history. Morocco have a strong record against North African opponents, having won both of their previous WAFCON meetings against Egypt and Algeria.

Algeria, meanwhile, are yet to beat or score against a North African opponent at WAFCON. They drew 0-0 with Tunisia in the 2024 group stage before losing 1-0 to Morocco this year.

The winner in Rabat will become only the eighth different nation to finish third at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. This will be a significant moment for both teams, with Morocco looking to secure a third top-three finish and Algeria aiming to make history with their best-ever finish.

This historic encounter will be a nail-biter, with both teams determined to claim their place in history. Morocco and Algeria will face off in a closely watched match that promises to be an exciting encounter.

Morocco have a notable relationship with penalty shoot-outs at WAFCON, with all three of their semi-finals decided from the spot. Against Cameroon, Morocco’s Hanane Ait El Haj converted her penalty to extend the country’s run to 10 consecutive successful spot-kicks in WAFCON shoot-outs before Kenza Chapelle, Maryame Atiq and Sakina Ouzraoui failed to convert.

CAF said Chapelle became “the first Moroccan player to fail to convert in a WAFCON shoot-out.”

The Atlas Lionesses have also had a notable relationship with penalty shoot-outs at WAFCON, with all three of their semi-finals decided from the spot., with all three of their semi-finals decided from the spot. Against Cameroon, Morocco’s Hanane Ait El Haj converted her penalty to extend the country’s run to 10 consecutive successful spot-kicks in WAFCON shoot-outs before Kenza Chapelle, Maryame Atiq and Sakina Ouzraoui failed to convert.