Full list: African countries get opponents for 2027 Women’s World Cup playoffs

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The trophy of the Women’s FIFA World Cup is seen during the 73rd FIFA Congress at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda March 16, 2023. REUTERS/Jean Bizimana

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Ghana and South Africa have discovered their opponents in the preliminary phase of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 Play-Off Tournament as they continue their bids to secure places at next year’s tournament in Brazil.

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The two African teams were drawn alongside Ecuador, Uzbekistan, Papua New Guinea and Chinese Taipei in the preliminary phase of the intercontinental playoffs.

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Ghana’s Black Queens will face Ecuador, Uzbekistan and Papua New Guinea, while South Africa’s Banyana Banyana will take on Chinese Taipei, Ecuador and Uzbekistan.

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The draw was conducted at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich on Thursday, August 20, with six teams set to compete for two places in the final phase of the playoff tournament.

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The preliminary phase will be played during the international window from November 24 to December 5, 2026, although FIFA is yet to confirm the venues, dates and kick-off times for the individual matches.

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Each team will play three matches, with the top two teams overall advancing to the final phase.

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Ghana will begin its campaign against Ecuador before facing Uzbekistan and then Papua New Guinea.

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South Africa will open against Chinese Taipei, followed by Ecuador and Uzbekistan.

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The full preliminary-phase fixtures are:

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• Uzbekistan vs Papua New Guinea
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• Chinese Taipei vs South Africa
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• Ghana vs Ecuador
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• Uzbekistan vs Ghana
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• South Africa vs Ecuador
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• Papua New Guinea vs Chinese Taipei
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• South Africa vs Uzbekistan
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• Papua New Guinea vs Ghana
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• Chinese Taipei vs Ecuador
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The two teams that finish at the top of the preliminary-phase standings will advance to the final phase, where they will be joined by four teams that qualify directly from other confederations — two from CONCACAF, one from UEFA and Venezuela from CONMEBOL.

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The final phase will be played between February 23 and March 6, 2027, with six teams divided into three paths. Each path will be decided by a single-match knockout, with the three winners securing the final three places at the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

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Ghana secured its place in the playoffs after defeating Côte d’Ivoire 2-1, while South Africa earned Africa’s other playoff slot after beating Nigeria.

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For Ghana, the playoff route offers an opportunity to return to the Women’s World Cup for the first time since 2007. South Africa, meanwhile, will be seeking a third consecutive appearance at the tournament after featuring at the 2019 and 2023 editions.

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The 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be staged in Brazil from June 24 to July 25, with the tournament marking the first edition of the women’s global showpiece to be hosted in South America.

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