Chinese Taipei and DPR Korea battle for a direct FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 berth in crucial playoff

World Cup spot on the line in the playoff clash.

With continental glory already within touching distance for some, the spotlight now shifts to one of the most decisive battles of the tournament. Chinese Taipei are set to take on DPR Korea in a high-stakes playoff clash, where a coveted direct spot at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 hangs in the balance.

Chinese Taipei will face DPR Korea on Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 14:30 IST at Gold Coast Stadium.

Following two gripping semifinals at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026, attention now turns to the final phase of qualification.

While Japan and Australia have already booked their tickets to the global stage, this playoff presents a final opportunity for others to join them. As a result, both Chinese Taipei and DPR Korea will enter the contest with everything on the line, knowing that one defining performance could seal their World Cup dream.

The Stakes

Chinese Taipei

Chinese Taipei will come into this encounter to conquer and book their spot in the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup. They will need to bounce back against DPR Korea in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup playoffs. They started their campaign with a loss against Japan, who are currently placed in the final featuring Australia against them. They then turned their fortune in the next two games, thrashing Vietnam and the Indian Women’s Team by a good margin.

They finished second in the group stage table, but the quarter finals against China changed their fate. They were defeated by China PR in the quarter finals, and now they will have to play in the playoffs to book the World Cup 2027 spot. They will be aware of the magnitude of the challenge ahead and are expected to adopt the game as things go. Chinese Taipei will need to focus on maintaining shape and creating chances against DPR Korea.

Korea DPR

Meanwhile, the DPR Korea team showed great fight and potential in the group stage, as they won two matches. The eastern side nation also finished second on the group stage table, beating Bangladesh and Uzbekistan.

Their structure and mix of scoring ability, physical dominance and ability to transform quick defensive work to attack make them clear favourites heading into the tie. With a World Cup at stake, expect a good contest where DPR Korea will hold the edge in the match, but Chinese Taipei will also be the team that can push the game to win.

Team News

There are no major injury concerns or suspensions for either side ahead of this encounter.

Head-to-Head record in AFC Women’s Asian Cup

Matches Played: 3

Won by DPR Korea: 3

Won by Chinese Taipei: 0

Draws: 0

Predicted Line-ups

Chinese Taipei (4-2-3-1)

Yu-Ting Wang (GK), K. Huang, Sin-Yun Su, Ying-Hui Chen, C. Chang, M. Saki, Kai-Ching Wu, Yu-Chin Chen, Yi-Yun Hsu, Jin-Wen Chen, Yu-Hsuan Su

Korea DPR (4-4-2)

Son-Gum Yu (GK), Myong-Gum Ri, Hye-Gyong Ri, Kuk-Hyang An, Chun-Sim Song, Yu-Jong Myong, Son-Gyong Kim, Un-Yong Chae, Song-Ok Hong, Jim-Hong Han, Il-Son Choe

Players to watch

Chinese Taipei – Su Yu-hsuan

Su Yu-hsuan will carry the most of the attacking line and attack chances for the Chinese Taipei team in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. She is kind of a forward who can turn defence into attack within seconds – a great quality that will be vital against DPR Korea. Against the Indian Women’s Team, she scored the first goal for Chinese Taipei. With limited chances expected, her ability to exploit spaces and finish clinically could be crucial if her side is to pull off an upset.

Korea DPR – Yu-Jong Myong

Yu-Jong Myong for the DPR Korea will be a key player as they face off against Chinese Taipei. The experienced midfielder can change the mood of the game from the middle of the park as she is able to dictate the tempo of the game with her special abilities. She scored four goals in the group stage, as she will be the main threat for Chinese Taipei. She will be aiming to continue her hot form in the playoffs, helping her side sustain themselves in the midfield battle with vital defensive contributions and charging her side forward.

Telecast Details

Chinese Taipei will face DPR Korea on Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 14:30 IST at Gold Coast Stadium.

The match will be streamed live on the FanCode App. There is no telecast on any Indian television channels.

DAZN will broadcast the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 matches live in Japan, whereas the host country, Australia, has given its hosting rights to Paramount.

In the Middle East countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iraq and Jordan, viewers can tune in to beIN Sports for the live action of this game.

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