Ghana Face Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria Battle South Africa for World Cup Playoff Spots

Ghana Face Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria Battle South Africa for World Cup Playoff Spots

By Niyi Busari 

Ghana and Nigeria will have another opportunity to keep their FIFA Women’s World Cup dreams alive when they face Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa respectively in the decisive African playoffs on Thursday, August 13, 2026, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The two matches will determine the teams that advance to the FIFA Play-Off Tournament for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

The Black Queens and Super Falcons were among the four teams eliminated in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, but their hopes of reaching the global tournament remain alive through the continent’s playoff pathway.

Under the qualification format, the four WAFCON semi-finalists earn automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, while the four quarter-final losers enter an African playoff. The two winners of those playoff matches will claim Africa’s two places in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament, where they will have another opportunity to secure a place at Brazil 2027.

Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire clash for World Cup lifeline

Ghana will face Côte d’Ivoire in the first of Thursday’s two playoff encounters, with both sides looking to recover from disappointing quarter-final defeats.

The Black Queens suffered a 2–1 defeat to tournament debutants Malawi on Sunday, ending their hopes of reaching the WAFCON semi-finals. Côte d’Ivoire, meanwhile, were beaten 2–1 by Algeria on Saturday.

Despite those setbacks, both nations remain one victory away from progressing to the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.

The Ghana-Côte d’Ivoire encounter is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. WAT on Thursday, August 13, at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.

For Ghana, the match represents another chance to return to the World Cup. The Black Queens have appeared at the global tournament three times, in 1999, 2003 and 2007, according to FIFA.

Côte d’Ivoire, meanwhile, are seeking to make their second appearance at the Women's World Cup after their debut at the 2015 edition.

Super Falcons face South Africa

Nigeria will take on South Africa in the second playoff, setting up another high-profile meeting between two of Africa’s leading women's football nations.

The Super Falcons were beaten 1–0 by Cameroon in Sunday's quarter-final, while South Africa's title defence came to an end with a 2–1 defeat to hosts Morocco on Saturday.

Nigeria's defeat was particularly significant given their status as defending WAFCON champions and record 10-time African champions. However, the Super Falcons now have a final opportunity to keep their campaign for a place at Brazil 2027 on track.

The Nigeria-South Africa playoff will kick off at 9:00 p.m. WAT on Thursday, August 13, at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca.

Nigeria have been a constant presence at the Women's World Cup, appearing at all nine previous editions between 1991 and 2023. South Africa, meanwhile, have featured twice, in 2019 and 2023.

How the World Cup qualification race stands

The 2026 WAFCON is serving as Africa's qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.

The four teams that reach the WAFCON semi-finals will qualify automatically for the World Cup. The four quarter-final losers were given a second route through the African playoffs, with the two winners earning places in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.

Algeria and Morocco became the first African nations to secure qualification for Brazil 2027 after reaching the WAFCON semi-finals. Algeria defeated Côte d’Ivoire 2–1, while hosts Morocco edged South Africa 2–1 in the quarter-finals.

Malawi also made history by reaching the semi-finals after defeating Ghana 2–1, while Cameroon advanced at Nigeria's expense following their 1–0 victory over the Super Falcons.

With the four automatic African World Cup places decided through the WAFCON semi-final berths, the focus now turns to the two remaining African slots in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.

What is at stake?

The stakes could hardly be higher for the four teams.

Victory for Ghana or Côte d’Ivoire would send the winner into the FIFA Play-Off Tournament, while Nigeria and South Africa are also one victory away from securing the same opportunity.

The FIFA Play-Off Tournament will involve 10 teams competing for the final three places at the 2027 Women's World Cup. The first phase is scheduled for November and December 2026, followed by a final phase in February 2027.

The 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup will be hosted by Brazil from June 24 to July 25, 2027, with 32 teams set to participate.

For Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria and South Africa, however, the immediate objective is much simpler: win on Thursday and keep the dream alive.