FIFA has confirmed that Rabat, Morocco, will host the initial stage of the qualification play-offs for the 2027 Women's World Cup. According to Hespress English, the governing body announced the decision on Tuesday, identifying the city as the location for this critical phase of the tournament. MyJoyOnline noted that the event will involve six national sides from various continents, serving as a decisive step toward the global championship scheduled for Brazil next year.
The competition is set to run from 28 November to 5 December 2026. Both MyJoyOnline and Hespress English reported that all fixtures will be played at the Mohammed VI Football Complex. This venue is currently active in women's football, as it is also hosting the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, according to both publications. The schedule consists of nine matches in total, with each of the six participating teams playing three games.
The participants include South Africa, Chinese Taipei, Ecuador, Ghana, Uzbekistan, and Papua New Guinea. MyJoyOnline outlined the opening day pairings, which feature Uzbekistan meeting Papua New Guinea, Chinese Taipei facing South Africa, and Ghana playing Ecuador. The full fixture list and timings have been released. The two teams that finish at the top of the overall standings will secure their places in the final phase of the play-offs, which is scheduled for February 2027.
This initial round is part of the broader qualification process for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Hespress English highlighted that the 2027 edition will be the first hosted in South America, specifically in Brazil. The selection of Rabat reflects the venue's current capacity to host major international women's football events, given its concurrent role in the U-17 tournament. The six teams will now prepare for the upcoming matches, aiming to finish in the top two positions to advance further in the qualification journey.