February 17 – The final qualification play-offs for the last three Women’s World Cup slots begin tomorrow in New Zealand, one of the co-hosts of the finals in the summer.
Portugal and Chile have been given a bye in the first round.
Cameroon, Haiti, Panama, Paraguay, Senegal, Thailand, Taiwan and Papua New Guinea will be vieing for a coveted ticket to the global finals. Ranked 22nd in the world, the Portuguese will play the winners of Cameroon vs Thailand Saturday in Hamilton.
“We know that Cameroon and Thailand have both been to the last two Women’s World Cups and that it won’t be easy,” said Portugal’s Jessica Silva. “But we really believe that we will make it. Portugal simply have to be at the World Cup.”
Chile will take on the winner of Haiti vs Senegal for a World Cup ticket. The final group of the playoffs unites Taiwan vs Paraguay and Papua New Guinea vs Panama. The four teams play for the final berth at the finals.
“Qualifying would be a watershed moment for this group,” said Panama coach Ignacio Quintana.
“We also know that when we have that World Cup ticket, parents are going to trust more and take their daughters to train in football and break that paradigm that sadly still exists a lot in Latin America that only men can play football.”
Playing two friendlies against Portugal and Argentina, hosts New Zealand will use the playoff tournament as a test event for the global finals. In July and August Australia and New Zealand will co-host the tournament, the first in a 32-team format as FIFA seeks to capitalize on the success of the last finals in France in 2019.
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