After a record-breaking 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the qualification journey for the next edition for European teams will begin from March next year. The 2027 Women’s World Cup will be the first ever hosted on South American soil in the footballing nation Brazil and also the second and final one to feature 32 teams before it gets expanded to 48 teams, like the Men’s. Brazil will also become the sixth country to host the World Cup in both gender categories. It marks a very special occasion for all the teams wishing to qualify for the stage, especially European sides who will hope to create a lasting legacy in the tournament after Spain lifted the crown in the previous edition in an all-European final with England.
The draw for the European Qualifiers of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 was conducted on 4 November 2026, with the qualifiers played in a League Phase with 53 participating nations fighting for the 11 direct spots divided into three leagues according to their rankings in the 2025 UEFA Women’s League. League A consists of the top 16-ranked nations drawn into four groups, teams ranked 17–32 are also drawn into four groups in League B, while League C consists of the remaining teams to be drawn into three groups of four teams and three groups of three teams based upon the number of teams entering qualification. The top-placed side from each group in League A will qualify directly for the finals, while the remaining teams in the league and the rest of the leagues, except the bottom-placed side in each group of League C, will enter the playoffs. There, the remaining seven teams will make it to the final directly and one other team will be the European representative at the inter-confederation play-offs.
Here is the full schedule of the League A of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers:
League A
Group A1
Sweden
Italy
Denmark
Serbia
The 2003 Women’s World Cup runners-up, Sweden, will want to build on their third-place finishes in the last two editions to grab the automatic spot for 2027 to make a 10th appearance in the finals. However, they will face a significant challenge from Italy and Denmark, who are looking for their fifth and sixth Women’s World Cup participation, respectively. Minnows Serbia could also prove tricky if not a contender for the direct spot.
Fixtures (TBD)
Group A2
France
Netherlands
Poland
Republic of Ireland
Undoubtedly, France and the Netherlands will be at loggerheads to win the second group in League A to book a direct spot at the group stages of the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Les Bleues will hope to overturn their three consecutive quarterfinal finishes after finishing fourth in 2011, should they qualify for their sixth Women’s World Cup. On the other hand, the Dutch, who ended up as 2019 runners-up, will eye a fourth straight qualification since their debut in 2015. The Republic of Ireland made history by qualifying for the Women’s World Cup for the first time in 2023 and is dreaming of consecutive appearances in the finals, whereas Poland is jostling to make their debut.
Fixtures (TBD)
Group A3
Spain
England
Iceland
Ukraine
Defending champions Spain and consecutive Euro winners England will renew their rivalry again in the 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, as an intense battle is expected between both of them for getting the direct spot by winning their group and avoiding the playoffs. La Roja want to match the feat only done by the USA and Germany before in retaining the silverware, while the Lionesses want to win the title, which they were beaten to by their rivals last time. Iceland and Ukraine are looking for their maiden appearance in the premier competition.
Fixtures
Tuesday 3 March 2026
Spain vs Iceland
Ukraine vs England
Saturday 7 March 2026
England vs Iceland
Ukraine vs Spain
Tuesday 14 April 2026
Iceland vs Ukraine
England vs Spain
Saturday 18 April 2026
Spain vs Ukraine
Iceland vs England
Friday 5 June 2026
Ukraine vs Iceland
Spain vs England
Tuesday 9 June 2026
Iceland vs Spain
England vs Ukraine
Group A4
Germany
Norway
Austria
Slovenia
Two-time winners Germany will be favourites to take the direct spot for this group to make their tenth Women’s World Cup appearance and hope to replace their embarrassing group stage exit two years ago. 1995 winners Norway, is the closest competitor to the Die Nationalelf as they too are aiming to never miss a Women’s World Cup. Hoping to make their debut will be Austria and Slovenia, whose viable option is going through the playoffs to make their dreams come true.
Fixtures
Tuesday 3 March 2026
Austria vs Norway
Germany vs Slovenia
Saturday 7 March 2026
Slovenia vs Austria
Norway vs Germany
Tuesday 14 April 2026
Norway vs Slovenia
Germany vs Austria
Saturday 18 April 2026
Slovenia vs Norway
Austria vs Germany
Friday 5 June 2026
Austria vs Slovenia
Germany vs Norway
Tuesday 9 June 2026
Norway vs Austria
Slovenia vs Germany
