Women's World Cup 2027: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland learn European qualifying fixtures and schedule
Updated 04/11/2025 at 17:20 GMT
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have all learned who they will play in Women’s World Cup 2027 qualifying. The tournament, which takes place in Brazil, has a lengthy qualifying process that follows the same format as the Women's Nations League. Here's all you need to know about qualifying, including the groups, fixture schedule, and an explanation about the play-off format.
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England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have all learned who they will play in Women’s World Cup 2027 qualifying.
Qualifying will mirror the Nations League format, with teams divided into three tiers of four groups each, and every nation playing six matches.
In League A, England will face Spain, who they lost to in the 2023 World Cup final, as well as Iceland and Ukraine.
Wales will play the Czech Republic, Albania and Montenegro in League B, while Scotland, also in League B, take on Belgium, Israel and Luxembourg.
Elsewhere, Northern Ireland take on Switzerland, Turkey and Malta in League B.
When are the fixtures? What's the format? How do the play-offs work? Here’s everything you need to know about qualifying for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, which will take place in Brazil.
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Wiegman Sarina head coach of England celebrates with the trophy after winning the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Final match between England and Spain at St. Jakob-Park on July 27, 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
How does Women's World Cup qualifying work?
European qualifying for the World Cup sees 53 nations split into three leagues: League A and League B, each featuring 16 teams, and League C, with 21 teams.
Countries play in groups of four (or three in League C) across six matchdays, facing each opponent home and away.
The four League A group winners qualify directly for the World Cup.
The remaining seven qualification spots and one inter-confederation play-off place (February 2027) will be decided through two rounds of play-offs held in October, November and December 2026.
How do the play-offs work?
- League A runners-up and third-placed teams face the six League C group winners and two best-ranked runners-up. League A sides are seeded and play the second legs at home. The eight winners advance to round two.
- The four fourth-placed League A teams and four League B group winners are drawn against League B runners-up and third-placed sides. League A and League B group winners are seeded and host the second legs. The eight winners progress to round two.
- In round two, the 16 remaining teams are drawn into eight ties. Path 1 winners are seeded and play the return leg at home.
- The seven highest-ranked winners qualify directly for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, while the eighth team advances to the inter-confederation play-offs, entering in the second phase in February 2027.
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Spain players celebrate with the trophy at the awards ceremony after winning the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Final match between Spain and England at Stadium Australia on August 20, 2023 in Sydney / Gadigal, Australia. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
When will the Women's World Cup qualifying take place?
Qualifying matchdays 1 & 2: February 26 to March 7, 2026
Qualifying matchdays 3 & 4: April 9-18, 2026
Qualifying matchdays 5 & 6: June 3-9, 2026
Play-off round 1 and round 2 draw: June 24, 2026
Play-off round 1 (two legs): October 7-13, 2026
Play-off round 2 (two legs): November 26 to December 5, 2026
Inter-confederation play-offs: February 2027
World Cup: June 24 to July 25, 2027 - Brazil
Qualifying matchdays 3 & 4: April 9-18, 2026
Qualifying matchdays 5 & 6: June 3-9, 2026
Play-off round 1 and round 2 draw: June 24, 2026
Play-off round 1 (two legs): October 7-13, 2026
Play-off round 2 (two legs): November 26 to December 5, 2026
Inter-confederation play-offs: February 2027
World Cup: June 24 to July 25, 2027 - Brazil
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Who will England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland play in qualifying?
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, Czech Republic, Albania, Montenegro.
Group B2: Switzerland, Northern Ireland, Turkey, 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.
Group C4: Greece, Faroe Islands, Georgia.
Group C5: Romania, Cyprus, Moldova.
Group C6: Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia.
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