Ellis Names 23-Player Squad for WWC Playoffs
South Africa opens its 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup playoff preliminary phase against Chinese Taipei on 28 November 2026.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Soccer
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Coach Desiree Ellis has announced a 23-player squad for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup Playoffs in Rabat. South Africa's group also includes Ecuador, Uzbekistan, Papua New Guinea and Ghana, with the preliminary phase running from 28 November to 5 December.
Why it matters
Only the top two finishers in Rabat advance to the final phase, which consists of single-match ties in February 2027. The winner of each final-phase match secures one of the last three places at the Women's World Cup in Brazil.
The playoff format gives South Africa a route of two group wins or top-two finishes against five opponents across eight days in Rabat. Qualification for the final phase depends entirely on results in the group, with the identity of the four final-phase opponents still undetermined.
The players
Desiree Ellis
Ellis is the head coach of South Africa's women's national football team, Banyana Banyana, and has led the side through its recent qualifying campaigns.
The details
Banyana Banyana, who lost to Morocco in an earlier 2026 WAFCON quarterfinal, will begin their campaign against Chinese Taipei on 28 November before facing Ecuador and Uzbekistan. Ellis's side must finish first or second in the Rabat group to keep alive hopes of qualifying for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.
Timeline
28 November 2026: South Africa opens the playoff preliminary phase against Chinese Taipei in Rabat.
28 November to 5 December 2026: Preliminary phase of the 2027 WWC Playoffs takes place in Rabat.
February 2027: Final phase of the 2027 WWC Playoffs commences.
Big Picture
Banyana Banyana's 2026 WAFCON quarterfinal exit to Morocco set the stage for this second chance at the 2027 Women's World Cup. The playoff route offers a path back after that elimination, with a place in Brazil at stake.
South Africa must finish first or second in its Rabat group to reach the final phase, so the opening match against Chinese Taipei carries immediate consequence. Fans following the team can track the group fixtures from 28 November through 5 December.
The takeaway
Qualification depends on results in a short eight-day group, so each of the five matches in Rabat will shape South Africa's World Cup hopes. Keeping pace with the group fixtures from the opening game onward will show how the campaign develops.
What happens next
South Africa plays Chinese Taipei on 28 November 2026 to open the playoff preliminary phase in Rabat.
Further reading
Follow more coverage of the national team in our Soccer section.
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