The Scorchers will know their 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup group opponents on December 11 when the final draw takes place at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro (Mam Rio) in Brazil.
The draw is expected to attract more than 1 000 guests from 32 qualified teams, including Malawi.
A Fifa statement quoted the world football governing body’s chief football officer Jill Ellis as having said the choice of Mam Rio was particularly fitting because of Brazil’s unique relationship with football.
“Football has often been described as a universal language. In Brazil, it’s also an art form. Every pass can become a brushstroke, every movement a moment of inspiration and every goal a masterpiece,” she said.
Ellis said the venue would provide a fitting setting to begin determining the teams’ paths at the tournament.
“The Fifa Women’s World Cup showcases the very best players in the world and there’s no better place to begin drawing their paths through the tournament in Brazil than a venue that celebrates creativity and human expression,” she said.
The statement also quotes Fifa executive director of legacy and stakeholder affairs Aline Pellegrino as having said that hosting the draw in Rio would also celebrate the country’s football identity.
“Hosting the final draw at Mam Rio is a powerful way to celebrate our ‘futebol arte’ identity,” she is quoted as having said, adding that it is also fitting to bring the most important milestone of the 2027 journey to Rio de Janeiro.
“As a former player, I can tell you that the draw was always a highly anticipated moment. Suddenly, everything feels real and your focus shifts to preparing to play your opponents and to where you are travelling,” she said.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) operations director Gomezgani Zakazaka said in an interview that they look forward to the draw.
“The draw will be a piece of history. We look forward to the day we will know our opponents,” he said.
Malawi qualified for the 2027 Women’s Fifa World Cup final after reaching the semi-finals at the recent Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco where they went on to finish as runners-up after losing to Cameroon in the final.
