Seven out of ten teams have booked their place in the 2027 Women’s World Cup intercontinental playoffs, which will determine the remaining qualifiers for the tournament.

The Black Queens secured their spot after a comeback victory over Côte d’Ivoire, following their elimination from the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarter-final stage.

South Africa also edged out Nigeria to join Ghana as Africa’s two representatives in the playoffs.

Black Queens beat Côte d’Ivoire to keep 2027 World Cup hopes alive

Other countries that have qualified so far include Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Papua New Guinea.

The playoffs feature teams from different confederations competing for the final three World Cup places.

The first phase of the tournament is scheduled for November and December 2026. Six teams will participate in this phase: two from Africa, two from Asia, one from Oceania, and one from South America. The top two teams will advance to the final stage. (FIFA OBJ)

In February 2027, those two teams will join four other sides in the final phase of the intercontinental playoffs.

The six teams will be divided into three knockout pathways, with the winner of each pathway earning a place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

This presents a Herculean task, but coach Kim Lars Björkegren and his squad are determined to break the 20-year jinx and secure their ticket to the tournament.

SB/JKB

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