The preliminary phase draw for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Play-Off Tournament took place on Thursday, with Banyana Banyana learning their opponents.
Desiree Ellis’ ladies failed to qualify directly for the tournament in Brazil next year after missing out on a semi-final spot at the recent Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
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However, they booked their spot in the intercontinental playoffs after beating WAFCON record-champions Nigeria 2-1.
On Thursday, they learnt their opponents in the preliminary phase, as Africa’s two representatives – South Africa and Ghana – had to enter the prelim phase of the playoffs.
Banyana’s Opponents
Banyana will face Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Ecuador and Uzbekistan in the preliminary phase, which also includes Ghana and Papua New Guinea.
How the Play-offs work
The Play-off Tournament consists of two phases: a preliminary phase scheduled to take place during the international window starting on 24 November and finishing on 5 December 2026, followed by a final phase, which will be held during the international window starting on 23 February and finishing on 6 March 2027.
Each team will play a total of three matches during the preliminary phase, with those finishing first and second overall in the advancing to the final phase.
Those two teams will join the four teams that qualify directly for the final phase (two from Concacaf, Venezuela from CONMEBOL and one from UEFA).
The final phase will consist of single-match ties, with the winner of each match securing one of the last three places at next year’s global extravaganza.