Banyana Banyana Prepare for 2027 World Cup Playoffs
South Africa's women's national team begins preliminary playoff matches in Morocco later this month, facing Chinese Taipei, Ecuador and Uzbekistan.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Soccer
South Africa's women's national football team, Banyana Banyana, is preparing for the preliminary phase of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 playoff tournament in Morocco. The squad trained in KuGompo City last week ahead of matches against Chinese Taipei, Ecuador and Uzbekistan, beginning in late November.
Why it matters
The team missed automatic qualification for the 2027 Women's World Cup and failed to reach the semifinals of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, making the playoff route its path to the tournament. Finishing in the top two of the mini-league is required to advance to the final playoff round.
South Africa's 2-1 win over Nigeria in August is the most recent result cited. Advancement depends on finishing in the top two of the mini-league, with the final playoff round scheduled for February.
The players
Banyana Banyana
South Africa's women's national football team, which is competing to qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 through the playoff route.
The details
South Africa has never played Chinese Taipei or Ecuador and has faced Uzbekistan once before. The team is confident it can navigate to the top two of the mini-league in Morocco.
Timeline
August: South Africa defeated Nigeria 2-1.
2026: South Africa failed to reach the semifinals of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
Late November: Preliminary phase of the playoff begins in Morocco.
February: Final playoff round is scheduled.
Season Trajectory
South Africa missed automatic qualification for the 2027 Women's World Cup, so the preliminary mini-league in Morocco is its route into the tournament. The team's progress will depend on performance in a format where only the top two teams advance to the February playoff round.
South Africa's advancement from the mini-league determines whether it reaches the February final playoff round and a chance at the 2027 Women's World Cup. Fans following the team can track results across three group matches against Chinese Taipei, Ecuador and Uzbekistan.
The takeaway
The mini-league format means South Africa must secure a top-two finish from its preliminary matches to keep its World Cup hopes alive. Results in late November will determine whether the team reaches the February playoff round.
What happens next
The preliminary mini-league matches in Morocco begin in late November, with the final playoff round scheduled for February.
Further reading
Explore more soccer coverage for context on South Africa's women's national team and its qualification campaign.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Dispatch.
