Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The play-off draw for the Women's European Qualifiers to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, set to be held in Brazil, has been announced. Four League A group winners—Denmark, France, Germany, and Spain—have qualified directly for the finals. The remaining seven direct World Cup slots for Europe, plus one inter-confederation play-off spot, will be decided via a two-round play-off system involving 32 teams in home-and-away ties.
The first-round matches are scheduled between 7 and 13 October 2026, with the first-named team at home for the first leg. The 16 ties are split into two paths: Path 1 features second- and third-place teams from League A groups playing against six group winners and two top-ranked runners-up from League C. Path 2 comprises the four fourth-placed League A teams and four League B group winners facing second- and third-place teams from League B. Teams from League A and League B group winners are seeded and will host the second legs. Winners of these ties advance to the second round.
The second-round ties will take place between 26 November and 5 December 2026, also in a home-and-away format, with the first-named teams hosting the first leg. These matches will determine Europe’s remaining World Cup berths and the inter-confederation play-off spot.
Notably, teams like England—the runners-up at the 2023 World Cup and reigning Women's EURO champions—are involved, along with established participants such as Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal, and the Republic of Ireland. Teams including Israel, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Lithuania will participate in major tournament play-offs for the first time.
According to UEFA, Norway and Sweden aim to join Germany as the only teams to have qualified for all ten Women’s World Cup final tournaments. Past participants and newcomers will compete in these knockout ties to secure qualification for either the direct or inter-confederation level.