The African qualifiers for the 2026 U20 Women’s World Cup witnessed a weekend full of remarkable feats and surprises, highlighting the rising strength of teams across the continent.
Cameroon delivered a spectacular performance by overwhelming Niger with an impressive aggregate score of 18-0, after two identical 9-0 victories in the home and away matches. This offensive showcase, notably led by Gloria Son Mouen, Maëva Nyadjou, and Beverly Nimpa, positions the Cameroon U20 Lionesses among the top favorites for the global tournament to be held in Poland.
Meanwhile, at the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium in Blida, Algeria failed to turn the tide against Senegal, suffering a heavy 0-4 defeat in the return leg after a 2-0 loss in the first match. The Senegalese, powered by a double from Khadija Badio and solid defensive play, confirmed their supremacy with a 5-0 aggregate score, qualifying to face Nigeria in the next round. This victory underlines Senegal’s dominance in this preliminary phase and their clear ambitions on the continental stage.
Other African teams also secured their spots in the third round of the playoffs. Tanzania won comfortably in Angola (0-3), South Africa achieved a wide 4-0 victory over Eswatini, and Nigeria easily defeated Rwanda (4-0), confirming the dominance of these historic nations in women’s football. Meanwhile, some qualifications were decided in tighter contexts, such as Benin securing their place despite a 3-4 loss to Guinea, thanks to their advantage from the first leg. The Democratic Republic of Congo advanced thanks to Mali’s withdrawal, marking the latest twist in qualifiers affected by several forfeits.
These qualifiers reflect the continuous rise of African women’s football, with sometimes large disparities as demonstrated by Cameroon and Senegal, but also more balanced battles showing the increasing competitive depth on the continent. As the U20 Women’s World Cup approaches, the upcoming rounds promise to be thrilling, featuring nations striving to confirm or emerge on the international scene. The Poland tournament is set to be the stage for a new ambitious chapter for Africa.