South Africa's women's soccer team, affectionately known as Banyana Banyana, faces a daunting challenge as they embark on their quest for an elusive Women's World Cup title. Their journey begins with a formidable opponent: the four-time champions, England.

Banyana Banyana's determination to compete for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup was evident, but the South African Football Association (SAFA) withdrew its bid, choosing instead to focus on a potential bid for the 2031 tournament. Citing a challenging timeframe for developing the 2027 bid, SAFA opted to regroup and prepare a well-prepared bid for 2031. This decision underscores South Africa's commitment to women's football and a desire to present a compelling case for hosting the event in the future.

While South Africa will not be hosting the 2027 Women's World Cup, the tournament will proceed with Brazil winning the rights to host the event. The FIFA Congress made the historic decision on May 17, 2024, in Bangkok, Thailand, marking the first time the Women's World Cup will be held in South America. Brazil's bid was praised for its focus on modern stadiums and the nation's established footballing tradition.

The 2027 tournament will feature 32 teams and will be the last edition with this number of participants before expanding to 48 teams in 2031. The venues for the matches will be spread across eight host cities: Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and São Paulo.

As for the competition on the field, England has historically dominated matches against South Africa in both women's ODIs and World Cups. In 38 games, England has won 29, while South Africa has only managed eight victories, with one game ending in no result. In Women's World Cup fixtures, South Africa has only one win against England, losing five.

Despite the historical dominance of England, South Africa's women's team has shown significant progress. Winning the Women's Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in July demonstrates their growing strength and potential. Banyana Banyana made their World Cup debut in 2019 and while they exited in the group stage, the experience gained will be invaluable as they continue to develop.

Looking ahead, South Africa's focus on bidding for the 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup signals a long-term commitment to developing women's football in the country. By investing in infrastructure, nurturing talent, and building a strong national team, South Africa aims to be a competitive host and a force to be reckoned with on the global stage.