fr.allafrica.com
Congo's Women's Football Teams Begin 2026 WAFCON and World Cup Qualifiers
Thirty-eight African nations will compete in the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, with Congo's senior women's team facing Malawi in the first round (Feb 17-26, 2025), while their under-20 and under-17 teams also face qualifying matches in 2025.
- What are the key dates and opponents for Congo's senior women's national football team in the 2026 WAFCON qualifiers?
- The Confederation of African Football (CAF) held the draw for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on December 12, with 38 nations competing for 12 qualifying spots. Morocco, as host, is automatically qualified. This will be the third consecutive time Morocco hosts the WAFCON.
- What are the potential long-term implications of Morocco's continued hosting of the WAFCON for the development of women's football in Africa?
- Beyond the senior team, Congo's women's under-20 and under-17 teams are also participating in World Cup qualifiers. The under-20 team will face Guinea-Bissau in the second round (September 19-28, 2025), while the under-17 team will face Benin in the first round (January 10-19, 2025). Success in these competitions will depend on performance in subsequent qualifying rounds.
- Which other age groups of the Congolese women's national team are participating in international competitions, and what are their qualifying paths?
- The qualifying rounds will consist of two two-legged rounds. Congo's women's senior team will face Malawi in the first round, with matches scheduled for February 17 and 26, 2025. The winner advances to face either Angola or Zimbabwe in the second round (October 20-28, 2025).
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative focuses heavily on the Congo's participation in various women's football competitions. While this is understandable given the text's likely source and intended audience, it presents a limited perspective on the broader continental competitions. The repeated use of "Diables rouges" (Red Devils) creates a sense of national pride and potentially emphasizes the Congolese teams' importance above others.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and factual. The repeated use of "Diables rouges" is evocative, but doesn't present loaded language in a biased manner; it is descriptive of the team name.
Bias by Omission
The provided text focuses on the Congolese teams' participation in various African football competitions. While it mentions 38 African nations participating in the CAN Women's Cup, it doesn't offer details on other nations' qualification paths or overall tournament structure. This omission could limit the reader's understanding of the broader context of the competitions.
Gender Bias
The text focuses exclusively on women's football, which, while not inherently biased, might be considered an omission if it doesn't reflect the existence of or attention given to men's football in the same competitions or region. There is no indication of gender bias within the reporting on the women's competitions themselves.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the participation of 38 African nations in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers, showcasing commitment to women's football development and empowerment. The increased participation and focus on women's sports contribute positively towards gender equality in sports and potentially broader societal contexts.