Banyana Banyana drawn against Chinese Taipei, Ecuador and Uzbekistan in World Cup play-offs

South Africa have been drawn against Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Ecuador and Uzbekistan in the preliminary phase of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Play-Off Tournament.

The draw took place on Thursday, confirming the route Banyana Banyana must take after failing to qualify directly for next year’s tournament in Brazil.

Desiree Ellis’ side missed out on a place in the semi-finals of the recent Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, meaning they were unable to secure direct qualification through the continental competition.

They did, however, earn a place in the intercontinental play-offs by defeating WAFCON record champions Nigeria 2-1.

South Africa and Ghana are the two representatives from Africa in the play-off tournament and both have been placed in the preliminary phase. Ghana’s opponents include Papua New Guinea, while the full preliminary-phase draw also features the three teams in South Africa’s section: Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Ecuador and Uzbekistan.

The tournament will be played over two stages. The preliminary phase is scheduled to take place during the international window from 24 November to 5 December 2026.

Each team will play three matches in that opening phase. The teams finishing first and second overall will progress to the final phase, where they will meet the sides that have already qualified directly for that stage.

Four teams are set to enter the final phase automatically: two from Concacaf, Venezuela from CONMEBOL and one team from UEFA.

The final phase will be held during the international window from 23 February to 6 March 2027. It will consist of single-match ties, with the winner of each tie claiming one of the final three places at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

For Banyana Banyana, the preliminary phase represents another opportunity to reach the global tournament after their hopes of automatic qualification were ended at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Their opening-round opponents will be Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Ecuador and Uzbekistan, while Ghana and Papua New Guinea are also involved in the preliminary stage of the play-offs. The teams must finish in the top two positions in their respective standings to remain in contention for a place in the final phase.

South Africa’s qualification campaign therefore continues through the play-offs, with the team needing to navigate the three-match preliminary phase before attempting to secure one of the remaining World Cup places in the final stage.