Algeria's Women Win Bronze at Africa Cup of Nations

Algeria's women's national football team, known as the "Vertes" (the Greens), has claimed the bronze medal at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2026 after defeating Morocco in a dramatic third-place playoff decided on penalties.

The result was widely described as a surprise, given Morocco's stronger reputation in African women's football. The match itself produced a chaotic finish, according to reports, with a missed penalty in the 97th minute proving decisive to the outcome.

With the score level after that missed spot-kick, the tie went to a penalty shootout, in which Algeria came out on top to secure third place on the continent.

The victory has been framed by Algerian media as more than just a medal — it marks what has been called a turning point for the women's game in the country. Commentary around the result suggests it could help boost the profile and investment in women's football domestically.

The Women's Africa Cup of Nations is the premier continental tournament for women's national teams in Africa, held every two years and bringing together the leading footballing nations on the continent.

While North African sides such as Morocco and Nigeria have often dominated recent editions of the tournament, Algeria's run to a podium finish represents a notable achievement for a team that has historically struggled to make deep tournament runs in the women's category.

The dramatic nature of the third-place match — featuring a missed penalty in stoppage time followed by a shootout — has been highlighted in coverage as a fitting, if unlikely, way for Algeria to secure its historic result.

No further details on the tournament's overall standings, the final, or specific player contributions were confirmed in initial reporting, though the bronze finish is being celebrated as a landmark moment for Algerian women's sport.