Rabat to host FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 play-offs as Ghana and South Africa chase qualification

Rabat to host FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 play-offs as Ghana and South Africa chase qualification - The FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy on display. ( Photo: FIFA)

Ghana will face Ecuador while South Africa take on Chinese Taipei as six nations compete in Rabat from November 28 to December 5 for two places in the final qualification phase.

Rabat will host the preliminary phase of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 Play-Off Tournament from November 28 to December 5, FIFA has confirmed, with Ghana and South Africa among six nations competing for a place in the final qualification phase.

The matches will be played at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, which is currently hosting the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. The preliminary tournament will bring together teams from four confederations, with two places in the final phase up for grabs.

Ghana will open its campaign against Ecuador, while South Africa will face Chinese Taipei on the opening matchday. Uzbekistan will take on Papua New Guinea in the other fixture.

Each team will play three matches, with the two highest-ranked sides advancing to the final phase alongside four teams that have qualified directly. These are two teams from Concacaf, one from UEFA and Venezuela, representing South America’s CONMEBOL confederation.

“In the preliminary phase, each team will play a total of three matches, with those finishing first and second overall advancing to the final phase,” FIFA said.

The final phase, scheduled for February 2027, will determine the last three teams to qualify for the World Cup. The six participants will compete in single-match ties, with the winner of each tie securing a place at the tournament in Brazil.

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“The final phase will consist of single-match ties, with the winner of each match securing one of the last three places at the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027,” FIFA said.

Brazil will host the 2027 edition, marking the first time the Women’s World Cup will be staged in South America.

Rabat’s selection adds to the Moroccan capital’s record of hosting major international sporting events. The city has hosted several high-profile competitions, including the 1988 and 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the 2014 and 2022 FIFA Club World Cups, the 2019 African Games and the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.