WAFCON World Cup Qualifier 1 Preview: Ivory Coast vs Ghana

Match Preview 

The WAFCON 2026 semifinals were entertaining as ever, but before we continue to the third place and final match of the season, the knocked-out teams will battle it out for spots in the FIFA 2027 Women’s World Cup. Ivory Coast and Ghana meet first. 

Ivory Coast will be disappointed with how their quarterfinal ended after they took the lead against Algeria before eventually losing 2–1. It brought an end to an otherwise impressive run in the main tournament, where the Lady Elephants topped Group B after beating Burkina Faso and Tanzania and drawing with South Africa. They have also scored in every WAFCON match they have played this year. 

Ghana suffered similar heartbreak against tournament debutants Malawi. The Black Queens took the lead in their quarterfinal but could not hold onto it, eventually losing 2–1 and missing out on automatic World Cup qualification. Before then, they had beaten Cape Verde, lost narrowly to Cameroon and drawn with Mali to reach the knockout rounds. 

Their tournament has not been as free scoring as Ivory Coast’s, but Ghana have generally been difficult to beat and know exactly what this opponent can offer. That familiarity could make this much closer than their respective WAFCON scoring records suggest. 

Head-to-Head 

These teams met in a WAFCON warm-up friendly just weeks before the tournament, where Ghana claimed a narrow victory thanks to a second-half Sharon Sampson goal. That recent result gives the Black Queens some confidence, although Ivory Coast have arguably produced the stronger performances since the tournament began. 

Key Betting Tips 

• Double Chance: Ivory Coast or Draw 

• Over 2.5 Goals 

• Both Teams to Score – Yes 

• Correct Score Prediction: Ivory Coast 3–2 Ghana 

Best Bet 

Both Teams to Score – Yes 

Ivory Coast’s women have found the net in every WAFCON match so far and remain one of the more dangerous attacking sides left in the World Cup qualification race. Though, Ghana has also shown against Malawi that they can create plenty of chances, and with neither team able to settle for elimination, both should have opportunities to score. 

Prediction 

Ghana’s recent friendly victory shows there is not much separating these teams, but Ivory Coast have offered more going forward throughout WAFCON and should have enough to edge another close encounter. Expect Ghana to challenge them throughout, with the Lady Elephants eventually doing enough to keep their World Cup hopes alive. Back your predictions ahead of kickoff at Bet.co.za. 

Prediction: Ivory Coast 3–2 Ghana