England Drawn With Spain In 2027 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers — Rivalry Renewed

England Drawn With Spain In 2027 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers — Rivalry Renewed

The 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifiers are set to deliver fireworks as England and Spain — the two powerhouses of women’s football — find themselves in the same qualifying group once again.

Spain famously defeated England in the 2023 World Cup final, but the Lionesses had their revenge in July 2025, beating the world champions to retain their European Championship title. Now, the two giants are set to meet again in Group A3, alongside Iceland and Ukraine, for a place in the Brazil 2027 World Cup.

The Group Draws

• Group A3: England, Spain, Iceland, Ukraine

• Group A2: Netherlands, France, Poland, Republic of Ireland

• Group B4: Scotland, Belgium, Israel, Luxembourg

• Group B1: Wales, Czech Republic, Albania, Montenegro

• Group B2: Northern Ireland, Switzerland, Turkey, Malta

Each team will play home and away fixtures between March 3 and June 9, 2026, across six matchdays.

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Format And Qualification Path

The qualification process mirrors the Nations League structure and is split into three leagues — A, B, and C.

• The four winners of the League A groups automatically qualify for Brazil 2027.

• The remaining teams will enter a two-round play-off system to determine the final eight European spots.

• UEFA has been allocated 11 direct slots, with one extra place potentially available via FIFA’s intercontinental play-offs.

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What It Means For The Lionesses

Being in League A gives England a guaranteed play-off opportunity even if they don’t top their group.
If they finish second or third, they’ll face a League C side in the first round, and if they progress, they’ll meet either a League A fourth-placed team or a League B winner for a World Cup berth.

However, finishing top of Group A3 would ensure automatic qualification, something Sarina Wiegman and her side will be determined to achieve.

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Wales, Scotland, And Northern Ireland’s Challenge

For the Home Nations, the road to Brazil is steeper:

• Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland must avoid finishing bottom of their groups to remain in contention.

• Group winners in League B earn promotion to League A and a potentially easier first-round play-off.

• Finishing second or third keeps play-off hopes alive but means a likely clash against stronger League A opposition later.

Simply put, to reach the World Cup, they’ll need to beat two top-tier nations in consecutive rounds.

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Road To Brazil Begins

With UEFA’s 11 slots up for grabs and elite teams across Europe jostling for position, the 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifiers promise fierce competition, emotional rematches, and footballing drama at its finest.

England vs Spain is already shaping up as one of the must-watch fixtures of the campaign — a rivalry that continues to define the new era of women’s football.