The road to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup resumes this week, with 32 European nations beginning their play-off campaigns across 16 two-legged ties.
The first legs will be played on Friday 9 October, followed by the decisive return matches on Tuesday 13 October. England, the Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, Norway, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland are among the countries attempting to move one step closer to the World Cup in Brazil.
Denmark, France, Germany and Spain have already qualified directly from Europe. For the teams still involved, attention now turns to two potentially decisive nights of play-off football. All kick-off times below are UK time.
Women’s World Cup qualifiers on Friday 9 October
There are 16 first-leg matches on Friday, beginning with the Republic of Ireland’s trip to Kazakhstan at midday.
| Fixture | UK kick-off |
|---|---|
| Kazakhstan vs Republic of Ireland | 12:00 |
| Israel vs Switzerland | 14:30 |
| Finland vs Serbia | 16:30 |
| Kosovo vs Austria | 17:00 |
| Albania vs Wales | 17:00 |
| Türkiye vs Slovenia | 17:00 |
| Slovakia vs Ukraine | 17:00 |
| Lithuania vs Sweden | 17:05 |
| Belarus vs Italy | 17:15 |
| Greece vs England | 17:30 |
| Croatia vs Iceland | 17:45 |
| Romania vs Norway | 18:00 |
| Czechia vs Scotland | 18:00 |
| Hungary vs Netherlands | 19:00 |
| Northern Ireland vs Portugal | 19:00 |
| Belgium vs Poland | 19:15 |
England begin against Greece
England travel to Greece for their first leg on Friday before hosting the return match four days later.
The Lionesses are attempting to return to the World Cup after reaching the final in 2023, where they were beaten by Spain. They also enter the play-offs having won the last two editions of the Women’s European Championship.
England will be expected to progress, but the two-legged format leaves little margin for error. A positive result away from home would put them in a strong position before Tuesday’s return fixture.
If England eliminate Greece, they will face either Slovakia or Ukraine in the second play-off round.
Netherlands travel to Hungary
The Netherlands also begin away from home, facing Hungary on Friday evening before the second leg on Tuesday.
The Dutch reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup and are chasing a fourth consecutive appearance at the tournament.
They will know their potential next opponent before Round 1 is complete: the winner of Netherlands against Hungary advances to face Türkiye or Slovenia.
Big ties for Wales, Scotland and Ireland
Wales face familiar opposition in Albania after beating them home and away during the qualifying league stage. Wales have never reached a Women’s World Cup and must overcome Albania again to keep that possibility alive.
Scotland travel to Czechia before hosting the return leg. Their only previous appearance at the tournament came in France in 2019.
The Republic of Ireland, meanwhile, begin with the longest journey of the round as they face Kazakhstan. Ireland made their World Cup debut in 2023 and will be looking to move closer to a second consecutive appearance.
Northern Ireland have been handed a difficult tie against Portugal, beginning at home on Friday. Elsewhere, Sweden travel to Lithuania, Italy face Belarus and Norway begin their play-off campaign away to Romania.
Women’s World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday 13 October
Every tie will be decided on Tuesday when the second legs take place.
| Fixture | UK kick-off |
|---|---|
| Slovenia vs Türkiye | 16:00 |
| Ukraine vs Slovakia | 16:00 |
| Serbia vs Finland | 16:00 |
| Norway vs Romania | 17:00 |
| Austria vs Kosovo | 17:00 |
| Poland vs Belgium | 17:00 |
| Italy vs Belarus | 17:15 |
| Sweden vs Lithuania | 18:00 |
| Iceland vs Croatia | 18:30 |
| Switzerland vs Israel | 18:30 |
| Wales vs Albania | 19:15 |
| Scotland vs Czechia | 19:15 |
| Portugal vs Northern Ireland | 19:15 |
| England vs Greece | 19:30 |
| Republic of Ireland vs Kazakhstan | 19:30 |
| Netherlands vs Hungary | 19:45 |
By the end of Tuesday night, the 32-team field will have been reduced to 16 nations still fighting for a place in Brazil.
What happens after this week’s Women’s World Cup 2027 Qualifiers?
Winning this week does not yet secure a place at the World Cup. The 16 winners advance to the second play-off round, which will be played over two legs between 26 November and 5 December.
Seven of the eventual Round 2 winners will qualify directly for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, while the remaining winner will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs in February 2027.
We have a full breakdown of the format, Round 2 draw and every country’s possible route to Brazil in our Women’s World Cup 2027 UEFA play-off draw explained guide.
Who has already qualified for the 2027 Women’s World Cup?
Denmark, France, Germany and Spain secured Europe’s four automatic places by winning their League A qualifying groups.
The World Cup field is also taking shape outside Europe as qualification continues across the different confederations.
You can follow every nation that has booked its place in Brazil on our Women’s World Cup 2027 qualified teams and qualifiers page. The 2027 Women’s World Cup will be staged in Brazil from 24 June to 25 July 2027.
Key dates
Round 1 first legs: Friday 9 October 2026
Round 1 second legs: Tuesday 13 October 2026
Round 2: 26 November–5 December 2026
Inter-confederation play-offs: February 2027
Women’s World Cup: 24 June–25 July 2027
After Tuesday’s matches, attention will turn to the final European play-off round, and the 16 teams still in contention for the continent’s remaining World Cup places.
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