The 2027 Women’s World Cup kicks off in Brazil on 24 June and runs to 25 July.
Eight stadiums, all previously used in the 2014 men’s tournament, will stage the matches.
It will be the last edition featuring 32 teams; the 2031 tournament expands to 48.
Brazil automatically qualifies as the host nation.
Spain, the reigning champions, defeated England to claim their first title in 2023.
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How did Europe’s first qualifying phase work?
Europe’s first qualifying round ran from March to June 2026.
Fifty‑three nations were divided into three leagues per the 2025 UEFA Women’s Nations League: 16 in Leagues A and B, 21 in League C.
Denmark, France, Spain and Germany topped League A groups, earning direct World Cup spots.
The remaining League A sides, including England and the Republic of Ireland, drop into the play‑offs.
Top three finishers from each League B group, plus six League C winners and the two best runners‑up, also join the play‑offs.
Beyond World Cup spots, the qualifiers determine promotion and relegation for the next Nations League cycle. For my money, the dual purpose of qualification adds extra drama.
What about the other regions?
Overall, 32 places will be allocated across six confederations and an inter‑confederation play‑off.
Europe: 11 slots
Asia: Six slots
Africa: Four slots
North America, Central America and the Caribbean: Four slots
South America: Three slots
Oceania: One slot
Inter-confederation play-off tournament: Three slots
Ten teams will contest the inter‑confederation play‑offs. Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei, Ghana, South Africa, Venezuela, Ecuador and Papua New Guinea are currently confirmed.
Who has qualified?
Joining hosts Brazil, the following nations have secured qualification:
Europe
France
Denmark
Germany
Spain
Asia
Australia
China
South Korea
Japan
Philippines
North Korea
Africa
Algeria
Morocco
Cameroon
Malawi
North America, Central America and the Caribbean
No teams yet
South America
Brazil (host nation)
Argentina
Colombia
Oceania
New Zealand
Inter-confederation play-off tournament
Who are in the European play‑offs?
The play‑offs unfold in two rounds from October to December 2026.
Round one sees 32 sides split into Path 1 and Path 2.
In Path 1, League A’s second‑ and third‑placed teams face League C play‑off qualifiers in two‑legged October ties, with winners advancing.
Path 2 pits the bottom League A clubs and top League B winners against League B’s second‑ and third‑placed sides, also over two legs in October.
During November‑December, Path 1 victors meet Path 2 winners in two‑legged fixtures; the survivors earn World Cup berths.
One additional nation, missing direct qualification, will join the inter‑confederation play‑offs for a final shot at the tournament.
Path 1
Lithuania vs Sweden
Romania vs Norway
Greece vs England
Croatia vs Iceland
Kazakhstan vs Republic of Ireland
Kosovo vs Austria
Hungary vs Netherlands
Belarus vs Italy
Path 2
Albania vs Wales
Turkey vs Slovenia
Slovakia vs Ukraine
Israel vs Switzerland
Belgium vs Poland
Czech Republic vs Scotland
Northern Ireland vs Portugal
Finland vs Serbia
What are the venues?
In May 2025 FIFA announced the eight host cities: Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and São Paulo.
Eight stadiums have been selected for the competition:
Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte
Estadio Nacional, Brasilia
Arena Castelao, Fortaleza
Estadio Beira‑Rio, Porto Alegre
Arena de Pernambuco, Recife
Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro
Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador
Arena Itaquera, Sao Paulo
The iconic Maracanã in Rio, venue for the 1950 and 2014 men’s finals, seats 78,838 and also hosted the women’s Olympic final in 2016.
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