Morocco will take centre stage in the race for the final places at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup as Ghana and South Africa lead Africa’s charge in the inter-confederation play-offs, with the North African nation preparing to welcome teams from across the world.

Rabat is set to host the preliminary phase of the qualification tournament, giving Morocco another opportunity to showcase its growing reputation as a destination for major international football competitions.

For Ghana’s Black Queens and South Africa’s Banyana Banyana, however, the focus will be firmly on securing qualification for the tournament in Brazil, with both African sides facing a demanding route through the play-offs.

Ghana have been drawn against Ecuador, Uzbekistan and Papua New Guinea in the preliminary phase, where they must deliver consistent performances to advance to the decisive stage.

The Black Queens will begin against Ecuador before facing Uzbekistan and concluding their campaign against Papua New Guinea. Three matches will determine whether Ghana remain in contention for a place at the global showpiece.

South Africa, meanwhile, will face Chinese Taipei in their opening fixture as Banyana Banyana seek to secure another appearance at the Women’s World Cup.

The preliminary phase features six nations: Ghana, South Africa, Ecuador, Uzbekistan, Papua New Guinea and Chinese Taipei. They will compete for two places in the final play-off phase, where they will join teams from other confederations.

The draw was conducted at FIFA headquarters in Zurich on August 20, setting up an international contest that will bring together teams from different footballing regions in Morocco.

The two teams that progress from the preliminary phase will advance to the final stage scheduled for February 2027. There, six teams will compete through three knockout pathways for the remaining three tickets to Brazil.

For Ghana, the tournament offers another opportunity to reach the Women’s World Cup after failing to secure direct qualification through the African route. The Black Queens will need to combine attacking efficiency with defensive discipline in a competition where every result could prove decisive.

South Africa will also be eager to make their opportunity count. Banyana Banyana have established themselves among Africa’s leading women’s football nations and will be determined to translate that standing into another appearance on the world stage.

The play-offs will test both African teams against unfamiliar opponents, placing a premium on tactical preparation, squad depth and the ability to adapt quickly to different playing styles.

Morocco’s hosting role adds another dimension to the tournament. The country has increasingly become a major destination for African women’s football, having hosted several editions of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and helped raise the profile of the women’s game on the continent.

With Rabat welcoming competing nations and their supporters, the event will also provide an opportunity for Morocco to demonstrate its organisational capacity ahead of future international football assignments.

The 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be staged in Brazil from June 24 to July 25, with 32 national teams competing for the title.

As preparations gather pace, attention will turn to the African representatives and their ability to seize the opportunity in Morocco, where the reward for success will be a place among the world’s elite.