Desiree Ellis announces squad for 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Playoffs

The preliminary phase of this competition takes shape from November 28 to December 5, and the final phase will commence in February 2027, where the two qualifiers from this preliminary phase will be joined by two teams from Concacaf, one from UEFA, and one from CONMEBOL.

The South Africans will kick their campaign off against Chinese Tapei on November 28, followed by matches against Ecuador and Uzbekistan - Papa New Guinea and Ghana are also in the group, but Banyana Banyana will not feature against them and instead will focus on getting past those two nations from the Asian Football Confederation. 

Ellis’s ladies must finish first or second in Rabat to advance to the final phase of qualifying, which will consist of single-match ties, with the winner of each match securing one of the last three spots at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil 2027.

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After falling to Morocco in an earlier 2026 WAFCON quarterfinal, Banyana Banyana now prepare to return to Morocco with the intention of keeping their 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup dream alive.

Banyana Banyana squad for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World-Cup Playoffs:

Goalkeepers – Andile Dlamini, Kaylin Swart, Katlego Moletsane 

Defenders – Karabo Dhlamini, Fikile Magama, Lebohang Ramalepe, Antonia Maponya, Bambanani Mbane, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Khutso Pila

Midfielders – Bongeka Gamede, Linda Motlhalo, Refiloe Jane, Amogelang Motau, Noxolo Cesane, Sibulele Holweni, Nonhlanhla Mthandi

Forwards – Thembi Kgatlana, Wendy Shongwe, Ronnel Donnelly, Hildah Magaia, Gabriela Salgado, Nthabiseng Majiya