Canada presses ahead with Under-20 Women's World Cup amid FIFA turmoil

Black Queens' head coach, Kim Lars Björkegren, maintains he is "feeling no pressure at all" ahead of Ghana's decisive 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup play-off match against Ivory Coast on Thursday. The crucial encounter takes place in Casablanca, Morocco, offering Black Queens another chance to secure a spot in the intercontinental play-offs after their automatic qualifier was eliminated by Malawi in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

Ghana's 2-1 loss to Malawi on Sunday has effectively ruled them out of the automatic qualification spots available through the continental tournament.

Despite the significance of Thursday's fixture, Björkegren insists he isn't experiencing any pressure, emphasizing that letting pressure influence decision-making is detrimental. With over two decades in coaching and a decade as a player under his belt, the Swedish coach believes his extensive experience equips him to navigate high-pressure situations effectively.

Qualifying for the FIFA Women's World Cup remains a distant dream for the Black Queens, as they haven't made it since their last appearance in 2007. Thursday's clash against Ivory Coast holds immense importance for Ghanaian women's football, providing yet another opportunity to revive their aspirations of reaching the 2027 tournament in Brazil.