Denmark, France, Spain, and Germany have qualified for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil after the latest round of UEFA qualifiers. Thirty-two teams have qualified for the qualifiers’ playoffs. The two final league phase matchdays saw Spain dominate England, France eke out a win against a strong Ireland defense, and Denmark solidify their win streak against neighbors Sweden. Let’s dive in.
How do the Qualifiers work?
The first phase of UEFA’s qualifiers, called the league phase, wrapped up on June 9th, with each team having played the other teams in their group twice. The teams that did not directly qualify for Brazil will face off in a complicated playoff structure in the fall, in which teams will play a series of two-leg rounds to compete for the remaining seven direct qualification spots and UEFA’s lone berth in inter-confederation playoffs. The playoff draw for those matchups will take place on June 18.
Meanwhile, let’s recap what happened during the league phase. We will focus on League A since that is where our four qualifiers earned their spot.
All of the teams in League A automatically qualified for the playoffs, meaning they still have a chance to qualify for next summer’s World Cup. Their standings in their group determine which pool they are in for the playoff draw, where they will be matched up against a League B or C team. There are two rounds of playoffs after which the seven teams with the best playoff records earn a World Cup spot while the eighth place team will advance to World Cup inter-confederation playoffs. The teams that finish in last place in their groups have been relegated from League A to League B for the next Nations League. (Portugal, Scotland, Switzerland, and Wales have been promoted from League B to League A for the next Nations League by winning their League B groups in the league phase.)
The important thing to keep in mind is that all of the teams discussed below still have a chance at making it to the World Cup.
Group A1: Denmark come away with surprise qualification, Italy and Sweden head to the playoffs
Denmark came away at the top of the group, having beaten Sweden in a tight 2-1 thriller, a repeat of April’s showdown, and later earning the victory against Serbia to win the group. Danish winger Cecilie Fløe continued to look dangerous for the Danes, notching a beautiful one-touch goal from Floe nearing the end of the first half. After halftime, Swede Johanna Rytting Kaneryd capitalized off a cross, heading a loose ball into the net to equalize. But Fløe soon assisted star Pernille Harder’s game winner, a clinical one-touch from inside the box that mirrored her goal from April against the same Danish side.
Sweden went on to host a hot Italian team that was fresh off a 3-0 defeat of Serbia in Pisa. The Italians got off to an exciting start against Sweden, going up 2-0 in the first half behind some magic from Elisabetta Oliviero. Yet the home side was able to salvage the draw, with goals from Hanna Lundkvist and substitute Fridolina Rolfö within three minutes of each other.
Denmark came away from the League Phase having earned their place at the World Cup, while Sweden, Italy, and Serbia will now advance to the playoffs to try to earn their spot.
Sweden has never missed a World Cup. Can the Blågult continue their streak behind veteran manager Tony Gustavsson? The Swedes will need to clean up their defense and develop clinical finishes if they hope to qualify for next summer’s tournament.
More of a newcomer to the scene, Italian women’s football has gained momentum in the past decade, with Italy making an impressive run at this past summer’s Euros. Can L’Azzure build upon their first World Cup performance in 2023 and qualify for Brazil?
Final Group A1 Standings:
- Denmark (14 points — qualified for the 2027 World Cup)
- Italy (9 points — will compete in playoffs for 2027 World Cup qualification)
- Sweden (8 points — will compete in playoffs for 2027 World Cup qualification)
- Serbia (1 point — will compete in playoffs for 2027 World Cup qualification, relegated to League B for the next Nations League)
Group A2: France qualify with two straightforward wins, Ireland beat the Dutch with last-minute thriller
It was a magical night in Cork on June 5, despite the skies downpouring the entire game. The Irish women pulled off a surprising victory at home against the Netherlands behind a clutch last-minute goal by Amber Barrett. The two sides traded goals up until the end of the game, with Irish goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan coming up with a number of big saves to keep her side in the match. Barrett’s game winner came off a scramble in the box after a corner kick in the 89th minute. The game ended 3-2 for Ireland.
Ireland was less successful against France, conceding two goals despite a very stubborn and persistent defensive effort. While Les Bleues didn’t look their most dominant, individual performances shined and contributed to the 2-0 win. Melvine Mallard pulled off an incredible bicycle kick to get her side on the score sheet. French defender Thiniba Samoura was sent off in the 72nd minute after receiving her second yellow card, but “The Girls in Green” were unable to capitalize on the added advantage.
The French advance to their fifth consecutive World Cup, while the Netherlands, Ireland, and Poland will have to battle it out in the playoffs.
Final Group A2 Standings:
- France (13 points — qualified for the 2027 World Cup)
- Netherlands (11 points — will compete in playoffs for 2027 World Cup qualification)
- Republic of Ireland (9 points — will compete in playoffs for 2027 World Cup qualification)
- Poland (1 point — will compete in playoffs for 2027 World Cup qualification, relegated to League B for the next Nations League)
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Group A3: Spain take the crown, giving England their first qualifiers loss since 2002
Now a bonafide rivalry in women’s football, Spain took their last loss to England in April to heart, handing England a 4-0 defeat on June 5 and ending manager Sarina Wiegman’s side’s perfect record in qualifying. Midfielder Patri Guijarro netted the first Spanish goal, while Alexia Putellas scored a brace. Newly returned Aitaina Bonmatí came in for Alexia in the second half, and soon set up Clàudia Pina with a beautiful goal.
The Spanish women played their best, quieting England in the midfield and forcing goalkeeper Hannah Hampton to stay active with a creative and persistent attack.
The match was historical for all of the wrong reasons for the English. It was the biggest defeat England have suffered in the Sarina Wiegman era, and marked the first time England was unable to finish first in their qualifying group in nearly 25 years.
Still, England fans don’t have cause to worry yet. The Lionesses beat Ukraine 3-0 on Tuesday, finishing the group phase with the third best record of League A. This isn’t the first time England have not performed at their best before a major tournament, and a year still remains for them to right the ship. Yet the 2025 Euro champions will have to clean up their performance on both sides of the ball in order to qualify for Brazil.
After the loss to Spain, Wiegman remained confident in her team. “We have a team that is very good, and we know what we have to do, so I’m very positive that we’re going to qualify anyway,” she said.
The reigning world champions booked their trip to Brazil, while England, Iceland, and Ukraine will look to the playoffs to join Spain at the World Cup.
Final Group A3 Standings:
- Spain (16 points — qualified for the 2027 World Cup)
- England (16 points — will compete in playoffs for 2027 World Cup qualification)
- Iceland (6 points — will compete in playoffs for 2027 World Cup qualification)
- Ukraine (0 points — will compete in playoffs for 2027 World Cup qualification, relegated to League B for the next Nations League)
Group A4: Germany qualify with defeat of Norway
June 5 was a special night for German defender Marie Müller. In her first appearance and start for the DFB-Frauen, the Portland Thorns player notched the first goal of the game against Norway, a beautiful rocket into the back of the net off of an assist from Linda Dallman. Müller’s first international goal marked the 1,000th goal for Germany in all competitions.
Dallman shined against Norway, assisting both German goals and making trouble for the defense all night. German defender Carlotta Wamser had herself a night as well, tallying the second goal for her team while making a key save in added time. Norway were persistent until the end, forcing veteran goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger to make several essential saves to keep her side ahead in the second half.
Germany made eight changes to their lineup in the second game against Slovenia, having already qualified from their win against Norway. Christian Wück’s squad were still able to win easily, taking down the home side 2-0. The 2027 World Cup will be Germany’s 10th, as they’ve never missed the competition. They will look to return to their winning ways, having won consecutive World Cups in 2003 and 2007.
While Norway were unable to come back against Germany, they won 2-1 against Austria despite missing strikers Ada Hegerberg and Frida Maanum to injury. German goalkeeper Mariella El Sharif saved a Caroline Graham Hansen penalty kick, yet her team was unable to find the equalizer against the Scandinavians. Both sides will look to put their best foot forward in the playoffs this autumn.
Slovenia rounds out the group, joining Austria and Norway in the playoffs to try to qualify for Brazil.
Final Group A4 Standings:
- Germany (16 points — qualified for the 2027 World Cup)
- Norway (12 points — will compete in playoffs for 2027 World Cup qualification)
- Austria (4 points — will compete in playoffs for 2027 World Cup qualification)
- Slovenia (3 points — will compete in playoffs for 2027 World Cup qualification, relegated to League B for the next Nations League)
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