Bonsu: Brazil 2027 is on my bucket list

Ghana will take part in the Women’s World Cup 2027 Play-Off Tournament

Bonsu scored in the victory over Côte d’Ivoire to send the Black Queens into the Play-Off Tournament

The Ghana international spoke to FIFA about her country’s chances of qualifying for the first time since 2007

"Pressure? What pressure?"

When Josi Bonsu quotes the famous line from England’s Chloe Kelly, the smile on her face says it all: the Ghana international takes just as much pleasure in talking about football as she does in kicking a ball around on the pitch.

"I take things easy a lot in life in general,” the Germany-born player, who was first called up to the Ghana national team in 2025, told FIFA. Bonsu, who operates as a defender for her country and as a winger for her club Young Boys, explains that she didn’t really feel any pressure when taking – and scoring – the penalty that secured Ghana’s place in the Play-Off Tournament for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™ as they defeated Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 during the Africa Cup of Nations.

Having missed direct qualification for the global competition after losing 2-1 to Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga’s Malawi in the quarter-finals, the Black Queens now have one last chance to qualify for their first Women’s World Cup since 2007 thanks to Bonsu.

To do so, however, they will first need to finish in the top two of the preliminary phase for the Play-Off Tournament – where they will face Ecuador, Uzbekistan and Papua New Guinea from 28 November to 5 December – and then win their final phase match in February or March 2027.

Whilst the road to Brazil 2027 is long and winding, Bonsu thrives knowing that the dream is still within reach. In an interview with FIFA, the 27-year-old reflects on her WAFCON campaign and looks ahead to the Play-Off Tournament.

FIFA: In what state of mind did you get to the Côte d’Ivoire game?

Josi Bonsu: We were all devastated. One, two, maybe three days after the [Malawi] game, we were still down because we knew we were so close to qualifying via the semi-finals. Qualifying for the World Cup is a dream for every football player, but we missed it. And it felt like a bad dream.

On the other side, we knew that we were still lucky that this (African) play-off game was happening. We knew we had to go all in, even if we were tired, because we could decide if we had a chance for the World Cup or not. We didn't do it in the first half, but we came strong in the second.

What was said at half time?

The coach was kind of mad. We didn't follow the game plan, but the more important thing was that we had to fight in the duels and we didn't do it. The coach just told us that this was not enough. We knew it and we stepped up in the end. He believed in us and we proved him right.

When stepping up for what would be the winning penalty, did you feel any pressure?

I will now quote Chloe Kelly here and say “Pressure? What pressure?” (laughs). It's funny because I never in my life took a penalty until the national team came and the coach told me I would take penalties. Luckily, I’ve scored all of them. I take things easy a lot in life in general. So, against Ivory Coast, I just was like: "Okay, I'm going to take it". I always try to not think too much. So, I was thinking: "just score". And I did.

What did you feel after final whistle?

It was a relief. You could see that everybody was smiling. We knew what this meant, it was really good. It meant that the dream was still alive. However, even though everybody was happy that the dream was still there, we also knew there’s still a long way to go. It's far from over.

You now face Uzbekistan, Ecuador and Papua New Guinea in the Play-Off Tournament. How much are you looking forward to it?

I'm always looking forward to playing against teams that are not playing similarly to us. The Play-Off Tournament isn’t going to be easy and not just because we don't know their style of play. We have to remind ourselves that there's a reason why they are in the play-offs. They didn’t just get drawn into this. They made it, like us. So, we have to take them seriously and see where life takes us. Hopefully to the World Cup.

What are Ghana’s qualities?

We are very strong physically and technically. Maybe not the strongest compared to other African teams. For example, I played against Temwa (Chawinga) and I was like: "Well, nice to meet you" (laughs). I had to accept that she was stronger than me. But from a technical point of view, I think we are up there.

How confident are you that Ghana will qualify?

We said that the most difficult opponent will probably be Ivory Coast. And since we beat them, I feel really confident that we can make it through the first stage (of the play-offs). I think we are a really good team; we just didn't show it this year, which is sad.

What would it mean to Ghana and to you personally to take part in Brazil 2027?

Ghana is a really proud country and I’m sure the fans will think we can go for the title. Sometimes, the fans are too optimistic (laughs). But I think they're going to be really proud if we qualify. For me personally… (She smiles) I can think about arriving with the plane in Brazil. Once I’ve played at the World Cup, it will be one tick off my bucket list.

If you do go to Brazil, which team or player are you looking forward to facing most?

I really want to play against Germany, just to say: "I can understand what you're saying" (laughs). At the same time, I played in the Bundesliga for two years so I would probably know everybody, and I’d rather play against somebody that I didn't play against. England for instance. I love their style of play. And Jess Park. I didn't know her playing style, but I thought she was good.

Maybe against Brazil too because they’ll be at home and they have some good players, like Kerolin who just signed for Barcelona; she is really good. And if Marta is there, it would be historical. When we were young, she was the only female player that people knew, so that’d be cool to play against her. But I want to qualify before I make these dreams.