The draw for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 qualifying campaign has reunited England and Spain.
European qualification follows the Nations League format, which splits all of the teams into three tiers that include four groups, with each country playing six matches.
The four winners of each group in League A will qualify automatically for the tournament in Brazil. The remaining seven spots will be decided by play-offs.
England will have to overcome Spain, Iceland and Ukraine in Group A1 to book their place at the World Cup. The Lionesses beat the Spaniards in the Euro 2025 final this past summer, after losing to them in the World Cup final in 2023.
In A2, Ireland face the daunting task of France and the Netherlands, as well as Poland. Wales have been drawn against Czechia, Albania and Montenegro in B1, Northern Ireland will face Switzerland, Turkiye and Malta in B2, while Scotland take on Belgium, Israel and Luxembourg in B4.
The campaign begins in late February 2026 and will conclude in early June. The first round of the play-offs will commence in October and the second round will take place in November and December. The convoluted inter-confederation play-offs will get underway in February 2027.
Women’s World Cup 2027 qualifying draw in full:
League A
Group A1: Sweden, Italy, Denmark, Serbia.
Group A2: France, Netherlands, Poland, Republic of Ireland.
Group A3: Spain, England, Iceland, Ukraine.
Group A4: Germany, Norway, Austria, Slovenia.
League B
Group B1:Wales, Czechia, Albania, Montenegro.
Group B2: Switzerland, Northern Ireland, Turkiye, Malta.
Group B3: Portugal, Finland, Slovakia, Latvia.
Group B4: Belgium, Scotland, Israel, Luxembourg.
League C
Group C1: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Estonia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein.
Group C2: Croatia, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Gibraltar.
Group C3: Hungary, Azerbaijan, North Macedonia, Andorra.
