Algeria and Kenya meet with Women’s Africa Cup of Nations last-eight places at stake

Algeria will face Kenya on Monday at 20:00 GMT in a decisive Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 group-stage match, with qualification for the quarter-finals on the line.

Algeria go into the game as favourites and hold the advantage over the Harambee Starlets, who must win to keep their tournament hopes alive. With three points already secured, Algeria remain in control of their own fate and could confirm a second successive quarter-final appearance with victory.

A draw may also be enough for the Algerian side to progress, but only if Senegal fail to beat Morocco in the group’s other fixture. The outcome of that match will therefore have a direct bearing on Algeria’s prospects should they be held by Kenya.

For Kenya, the equation is far more demanding. The Harambee Starlets are bottom of the qualifying battle and have no realistic route through without a major result against Algeria. They need to win, ideally by a substantial margin, and must also hope Senegal lose to Morocco.

The different situations facing the two teams give Algeria a psychological edge before the match. Their three-point tally means they can qualify without relying entirely on results elsewhere, while Kenya’s campaign depends on both a victory and favourable developments in the other game.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 20:00 GMT on Monday. Algeria’s players will know that achieving a second consecutive qualification would represent an important step in their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign. Kenya, meanwhile, must produce an upset if they are to remain in contention for the quarter-finals.

The group’s qualification picture will be decided across the two matches involving Algeria, Kenya, Senegal and Morocco. Algeria’s task is straightforward: win and they are guaranteed to advance. A draw could still take them into the last eight, provided Morocco prevent Senegal from claiming victory.

Kenya cannot afford a similar margin for error. Only a win can keep their hopes alive, and even that would not be enough on its own unless Senegal are beaten by Morocco. A wide victory would improve Kenya’s chances, but their progress would still depend on the result elsewhere.

Kenya v Algeria: 20:00 GMT, Monday