Follow Us on Google
Ghana and South Africa have discovered their opponents in the preliminary phase of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 Play-Off Tournament following Thursday’s draw in Zurich, Switzerland.
The two African nations are among six teams competing for places in the final phase of the intercontinental playoffs. Ecuador, Uzbekistan, Papua New Guinea and Chinese Taipei complete the six-team field.
The draw produced three groups of two teams, with each side scheduled to play three matches during the preliminary phase.
Full draw
Group A
Uzbekistan
South Africa
Group B
Papua New Guinea
Chinese Taipei
Group C
Ghana
Ecuador
Matchday 1
Uzbekistan vs Papua New Guinea
Chinese Taipei vs South Africa
Ghana vs Ecuador
Matchday 2
Uzbekistan vs Ghana
South Africa vs Ecuador
Papua New Guinea vs Chinese Taipei
Matchday 3
South Africa vs Uzbekistan
Papua New Guinea vs Ghana
Chinese Taipei vs Ecuador
The preliminary phase will be played during the international window from November 24 to December 5, 2026, with FIFA expected to confirm the venues, dates and kick-off times for the individual matches later.
The top two teams in the preliminary-phase standings will advance to the final phase, joining four teams that qualify directly two from CONCACAF, one from UEFA and Venezuela from CONMEBOL.
The final phase will be held from February 23 to March 6, 2027. The six teams will be divided into three paths, with each path decided by a single-match tie. The three winners will claim the final three places at the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Ghana secured its playoff place after defeating Côte d’Ivoire, while South Africa claimed Africa’s other spot after eliminating Nigeria.
Ghana will be seeking its first Women’s World Cup appearance since 2007, while South Africa will target a third consecutive appearance after featuring at the 2019 and 2023 editions.
The 2027 Women’s World Cup will be staged in Brazil from June 24 to July 25, 2027, marking the first time the women’s tournament will be hosted in South America.
