Ghana and South Africa are not yet qualified for the 2027 Women's World Cup. The two nations are now playing their last card in the African playoffs, which are set to determine the two continental representatives at the FIFA intercontinental playoff tournament.
Two decisive clashes to stay in the race
The Black Queens, beaten in the quarterfinals, now face Ivory Coast. A victory would keep them alive on the road to the Brazilian World Cup. The scenario is identical for Banyana Banyana, also eliminated in the quarterfinals: they take on Nigeria in a high-stakes showdown with particularly weighty consequences for both teams.
A simple but unforgiving mechanism
The African qualification system is clear: the four semi-finalists of the Women's AFCON secure their spot directly at the 2027 World Cup. The four teams eliminated in the quarterfinals, meanwhile, find themselves in two playoff matches. The two winners then join the FIFA intercontinental playoff tournament, where three remaining spots for the World Cup will be distributed.
For both Ghana and South Africa, the stakes therefore go far beyond the record of a disappointing AFCON. It is a matter of survival on the road to Brazil: one single misstep and the 2027 World Cup will slip away for good.
The general framework of the 2027 World Cup
The 2027 Women's World Cup will be held in Brazil, from June 24 to July 25, 2027. Africa has four direct spots and two additional spots accessible via the FIFA playoff tournament.
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