FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 Play-Off Tournament: format, fixtures and qualified teams

The final three places at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 in Brazil will be determined through the Play-Off Tournament, with 10 nations competing across two phases for a place at next year's global showpiece.

Rabat, Morocco, will host the preliminary phase from 28 November to 5 December 2026, with the top two teams advancing to the final phase in February 2027.

Banyana Banyana's Route to Brazil

Banyana Banyana will begin their campaign against Chinese Taipei before facing Ecuador and Uzbekistan in Rabat. To keep their FIFA Women's World Cup hopes alive, South Africa must finish in the top two of the preliminary phase to advance to February's final play-off round.

Ghana Black Queens's Route to Brazil

Ghana will open their FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 Play-Off Tournament campaign against Ecuador on 28 November before taking on Uzbekistan and Papua New Guinea in Rabat. The Black Queens must finish among the top two teams in the six-nation preliminary phase to advance to the final play-off round in February 2027, where the last three tickets to Brazil will be up for grabs.

How the Play-Off Tournament Works

The preliminary phase of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 Play-Off Tournament will feature six nations: Chinese Taipei, Ecuador, Ghana, Papua New Guinea, South Africa and Uzbekistan. Each team will play three matches, with the top two sides in the standings advancing to the final phase. There, they will be joined by two teams from Concacaf, one team from CONMEBOL and one team from UEFA.

The six teams will then be drawn into three knockout pathways, with the winner of each pathway securing one of the final three places at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 in Brazil. Teams from the same confederation cannot be drawn into the same pathway.

All matches will be played at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco.

Preliminary Phase Fixtures

Matchday 1 - 28 November 2026