Women’s World Cup Play-Offs: Every Round 2 Tie and How Europe’s Last Places Are Decided

Sixteen European nations reached the second round of the Women’s World Cup play-offs after the first round finished on Tuesday 13 October. England, Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway and Italy are among the teams now just two games from Brazil 2027, according to UEFA.

The eight round 2 ties take place between 26 November and 5 December. However, winning a tie does not guarantee everyone a place, because one winner must still go through an extra play-off in February.

How the Women’s World Cup Play-Offs Work

Europe has 11 direct places at the 2027 World Cup, plus one spot in the inter-confederation play-offs, UEFA said. Germany, Denmark, France and Spain have already filled four of them by winning their League A groups.

Next, the round 2 winners compete for the other seven direct places. The seven best-ranked winners, based on UEFA’s overall qualifying ranking, go straight to Brazil.

Meanwhile, the lowest-ranked winner enters the inter-confederation play-offs in February 2027. Round 2 losers are out.

Ties are settled on aggregate over two legs, then extra time and penalties if needed. In every tie, the higher-ranked team plays the second leg at home.

Women’s World Cup Play-Offs Round 2: The Full Draw

Here are all eight ties, with the first-leg hosts named first and UEFA’s overall ranking in brackets:

So if every higher-ranked team wins, the inter-confederation spot falls to whichever winner ranks lowest. That makes the ties involving Finland, Wales, Scotland and Portugal especially tense.

England vs Ukraine

England booked their place by beating Greece 8–1 on aggregate. Alessia Russo and Lauren James both scored twice in the 5–0 second-leg win in Leicester. Read our report on the first leg in Crete.

Ukraine reached round 2 by beating Slovakia 4–1 on aggregate. Because of the war, Ukraine play their home games at neutral venues, and the location of the first leg has not yet been confirmed.

The second leg returns the Lionesses to Wembley on Saturday 5 December, the FA confirmed. With England ranked fifth in UEFA’s table, a win would send them straight to Brazil.

Home Nations and Ireland: Big Nights Ahead

Scotland beat Czechia 5–2 on aggregate and now face a huge task against Sweden. Similarly, Wales beat Albania 4–0 over two legs and meet Norway next.

The Republic of Ireland, meanwhile, thrashed Kazakhstan 12–0 on aggregate. Next, they face Poland and Ewa Pajor, whose extra-time goal helped knock out Belgium on penalties.

Northern Ireland’s campaign ended in round 1 after a 7–1 aggregate defeat to Portugal.

Round 1: Every Result

Most favourites went through comfortably, but Belgium were the biggest casualty:

• Sweden 15–0 Lithuania
• Republic of Ireland 12–0 Kazakhstan
• Netherlands 11–0 Hungary
• Iceland 9–0 Croatia
• Switzerland 9–3 Israel
• England 8–1 Greece
• Norway 8–0 Romania
• Portugal 7–1 Northern Ireland
• Austria 6–1 Kosovo
• Finland 6–2 Serbia
• Scotland 5–2 Czechia
• Slovenia 5–3 Türkiye
• Ukraine 4–1 Slovakia
• Wales 4–0 Albania
• Italy 3–1 Belarus
• Poland 3–3 Belgium (Poland won 4–3 on penalties)

Who Has Qualified for Brazil 2027?

As of mid-October, 18 of the 32 places are filled. Hosts Brazil are joined by six teams from Asia, four from Africa, four from Europe, two from South America and New Zealand.

Africa’s four qualifiers are Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon and Malawi. Meanwhile, North and Central America decide their places at the Concacaf W Championship in Texas from 27 November.

For the full picture, read our Women’s World Cup 2027 guide. The final draw takes place in Rio de Janeiro on 11 December.

Which team do you think will miss out? Tell us in the comments.