FIFA President Gianni Infantino (2nd R) leaves Al-Madina Stadium in Rabat following the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations match between Malawi and Zambia on August 5, 2026. [AFP]
Embattled FIFA president Gianni Infantino watched outsiders Malawi lose 2-1 to Zambia in Rabat on Wednesday, but still secure a Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarter-final place.
They were joined in the knockout stage from Group C by record 10-time champions Nigeria, who hammered Egypt 6-2 in a match played simultaneously.
The results left Malawi, Nigeria and Zambia level on six points with head-to-head records deciding the final placings.
Malawi, the lowest ranked of the 16 qualifiers for the tournament, finished first and will face Ghana or Mali for a place in the semi-finals, and a ticket to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
Second-placed Nigeria meet Cameroon in the other quarter-final on Sunday. Hosts Morocco play South Africa and Ivory Coast face Algeria on Saturday.
Infantino, under fire for a now-shelved plan to open the World Cup to private investment, earlier held emergency talks in Morocco with directors of the world football governing body.
FIFA then issued an apology while reaffirming its "full support" for Infantino. In a statement, the leadership acknowledged "that errors were also made after the proposal was leaked to the media".