Ghana’s Black Queens are still on course for a return to the FIFA Women’s World Cup after keeping their qualification hopes alive with victory over Côte d’Ivoire in the WAFCON 2026 play-in.
However, the journey to Brazil 2027 is far from over. Ghana must now navigate the FIFA Women’s World Cup Play-Off Tournament, where the final World Cup tickets will be decided.
What Next for Ghana?
The Black Queens will enter Phase One of the FIFA Play-Off Tournament, scheduled for November–December 2026, alongside five other teams from different confederations.
The six teams involved will include:
Two teams from Africa (CAF)
Two teams from Asia (AFC)
One team from South America (CONMEBOL)
One team from Oceania (OFC)
Ghana will play three matches in a league-style format during this preliminary phase. Their target will be to finish among the top two teams in the standings to advance to the final stage.
Final Push for World Cup Qualification
The final phase, scheduled for February 2027, will feature six teams:
Two qualifiers from the preliminary phase
Two teams from CONCACAF
One team from CONMEBOL
One team from UEFA
These six teams will be drawn into three knockout paths, with each path producing one winner.
A single knockout victory at this stage will secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The FIFA Play-Off Tournament will produce just three World Cup qualifiers, meaning every match will carry huge importance as teams battle for the final places at the global tournament.
For the Black Queens, the objective is clear; survive the preliminary phase, reach the final stage, and win the decisive knockout match that will send Ghana back to the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time since 2007.
