BY NADIA NTIAMOAH
Ghana’s Black Queens are set to discover their opponents in the preliminary phase of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 Play-Off Tournament when the draw is conducted at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, Switzerland, on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
The draw, scheduled for 2:00 p.m. local time in Zurich, will determine the composition of the preliminary phase and set the path Ghana must navigate in its bid to secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Ghana is among six nations that have qualified for the play-off tournament, joining South Africa, Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan, Ecuador and Papua New Guinea.
The competition represents another opportunity for the Black Queens to reach the global stage after their impressive return to the Women’s World Cup qualification race.
The six participating teams have been divided into three pots based on the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking published on June 16, 2026. Chinese Taipei and Uzbekistan have been placed in Pot 1, while South Africa and Papua New Guinea occupy Pot 2. Ghana and Ecuador make up Pot 3.
The draw will, however, be subject to a key geographical restriction, with teams from the same confederation barred from being paired against each other. The restriction means Ghana will not face South Africa in the preliminary phase, given that both countries belong to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The preliminary phase is scheduled to take place during the international window from November 24 to December 5, 2026. Each of the six participating teams will play three matches as they compete for the two available places in the final phase.
For Ghana, the draw will therefore be crucial in determining the quality of opposition standing between the Black Queens and the next stage of the qualification process. The team will need to produce consistent performances across its three preliminary matches, with only the top two sides progressing.
The two teams that emerge from the preliminary phase will then join four nations that have already qualified directly for the final phase. Those six teams will compete for the final three qualification places available for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Black Queens’ campaign comes against the backdrop of renewed expectations surrounding Ghana’s women’s national team. Ghana has a proud history in women’s football, having been regular participants at the continental level and previously featuring at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The 2027 tournament will be particularly significant as it will be hosted by Brazil from June 24 to July 25, 2027.
