FIFA Will Host Women's World Cup Play-off Tournament
The preliminary phase will feature six national teams competing for spots in the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Soccer
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FIFA has scheduled the preliminary phase of its Women's World Cup play-offs to take place from November 24 to December 5, 2026, in Rabat, Morocco. Six national teams will participate in the event to determine which countries advance toward final qualification for the 2027 tournament.
Why it matters
This tournament serves as a critical pathway for the six participating nations to secure a place in the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. Winning these matches is essential for teams aiming to join the final 32-team field hosted in Brazil.
Six national teams will participate in the preliminary tournament, playing a total of nine matches. The structure utilizes three groups of two teams each to determine which participants advance to the next stage.
The players
FIFA
The Federation Internationale de Football Association is the international governing body for association football.
Ghana
The Ghana national women's football team represents the country in international competition.
Ecuador
The Ecuador national women's football team is governed by the Ecuadorian Football Federation.
South Africa
The South Africa women's national football team is known as Banyana Banyana.
The details
The preliminary phase in Rabat, Morocco, includes teams from Ghana, Ecuador, Uzbekistan, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, and Chinese Taipei. Ghana and Ecuador are scheduled to meet in the opening fixture, with the top two teams from this phase advancing to the final qualification stage in early 2027.
Timeline
November 24 to December 5, 2026: Preliminary phase of the play-off tournament.
February and March 2027: Final phase of the play-offs.
June 24 to July 25, 2027: 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.
Season Trajectory
This tournament directly shapes the final composition of the 32-team field for the upcoming World Cup in Brazil. The performance of these six teams will determine their final standing in the international qualification cycle.
The top two teams from the preliminary phase will advance to the final qualifying rounds held in early 2027. Fans can track the group standings to see which nations remain in contention for the final World Cup roster spots.
The takeaway
Participation in this play-off represents the final opportunity for these six nations to qualify for the 2027 World Cup. Following the results of the preliminary group matches is essential for understanding the final competitive landscape in Brazil.
What happens next
The final phase of the play-off tournament is scheduled for February and March 2027, followed by the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil from June 24 to July 25, 2027.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming international fixtures, visit the Soccer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Blueprint Newspapers Limited.
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