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England to face Spain in 2027 Women's World Cup qualifying
England will meet reigning world champions Spain in Group A3 of the 2027 Women's World Cup qualifiers, setting up a rematch of the 2023 final and the Euro 2025 showdown, where the Lionesses secured their second consecutive European title in July.
Managed by Sarina Wiegman since September 2021, England's group also includes Iceland and Ukraine. The qualifiers, structured like the Nations League, will run across six matchdays from March 3 to June 9, 2026, with home-and-away fixtures.
Qualification pathway
Only the four League A group winners will earn direct spots in Brazil. The remaining eight European berths will be decided through playoffs, with UEFA allocated 11 of the 32 total places. An additional European team could qualify via FIFA's intercontinental playoffs.
League A's biggest advantage is a guaranteed playoff spot. Should England or the Republic of Ireland finish second or third, they would first face a League C team. A second-round victory would pit them against a fourth-placed League A side or a League B winner for a World Cup place.
Lower-league stakes
Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland must avoid finishing last in their groups to secure playoff eligibility. A bottom-place finish would mean relegation to League C and no playoff chance. Conversely, winning their groups would promote them to League A and grant a first-round playoff against a League B runner-up or third-placed team.
Other British teams' draws
Scotland will compete in Group B4 against Belgium, Israel, and Luxembourg. Wales faces the Czech Republic, Albania, and Montenegro in Group B1, while Northern Ireland draws Switzerland, Turkey, and Malta in Group B2. The Republic of Ireland joins the Netherlands, France, and Poland in Group A2.
"We're all in for 2027."
Wales manager Gemma Grainger
"It's not the worst draw we could have had."
Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe
"We're hungry to make an impact."
Scotland forward Claire Emslie
Playoff structure
The bottom four League A teams, facing relegation, will first play second- or third-placed League B sides. Winners advance to face the victors of ties between League A's second/third-placed teams and League C sides. The second playoff round is seeded, likely pitting lower-league teams against stronger League A opposition.
For Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland, reaching the World Cup would require defeating two higher-ranked teams in the playoffs.
