Women’s World Cup qualifier draw: England paired with Spain as Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland learn their opponents

England have been drawn with Spain in their qualifying group for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

Spain defeated the Lionesses in the 2023 World Cup final, but England took revenge when it defeated the world champions in the Euro 2025 final in July to retain its European title.

Iceland and Ukraine were also placed in Group A3 alongside Sarina Wegman’s team.

Scotland was placed in Group B with Belgium, Israel and Luxembourg, while Wales will face the Czech Republic, Albania and Montenegro in Group B.

Northern Ireland is placed in Group B2 with Switzerland, Turkey and Malta, and the Republic of Ireland is in Group A2 alongside the Netherlands, France and Poland.

The World Cup qualifiers, which will be held in Brazil, follow the same system as the European Nations League and are divided into three levels.

Only the four group winners in League A will automatically qualify for the finals, while the remaining teams must go through the playoffs for the remaining eight places.

The qualifiers will be held over six rounds, on a home-and-away basis, during 2026, starting on March 3 and ending on June 9.

UEFA has allocated 11 places for the 32-team 2027 World Cup.

An additional European team can also qualify through continental qualifiers organized by FIFA.