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Jun 18, 20261
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UEFA Announces Playoff Draw for 2027 Women's World Cup European Qualifiers
UEFA has announced the draw for the 2027 Women's World Cup European qualifying playoffs, featuring 16 teams in two rounds of two-legged ties. First-round matches begin October 7-9, 2026, with the second round taking place in late November and early December.
Quick Facts
Who
UEFA
What
Draw conducted for Women's World Cup 2027 European qualifying playoffs
When
Round 1 first leg: October 7-9, 2026
Where
Europe (16 nations competing)
- Draw conducted for Women's World Cup 2027 European qualifying playoffs
- Two-round playoff format with two-legged ties
- Round 1 matchups determined
- Round 2 potential matchups determined
- UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has released the draw for the European qualifying playoffs for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. The playoff format consists of two rounds of two-legged ties, with 16 European teams competing for eight spots in the tournament.
The first round of matches will take place October 7-9, 2026, with return legs scheduled for October 11-13. Sixteen pairings were drawn, including notable matchups such as England versus Greece, Netherlands versus Hungary, and Italy facing Belarus. Other prominent fixtures include Croatia against Iceland, Sweden playing Lithuania, and Norway meeting Romania.
The eight winners from the first round will advance to the second round, with first-leg matches scheduled for November 26-28, 2026, and second-leg matches set for December 3-5, 2026. The eight winners from these round-two ties will secure their places at the 2027 Women's World Cup. The playoff structure ensures competitive two-legged eliminations, giving each team the opportunity to compete both at home and away.
Why This Matters
The playoff draw directly impacts which European nations will compete in the 2027 Women's World Cup, one of football's premier tournaments. For fans and national federations, these matchups determine the competitive path forward, with high-stakes two-legged ties offering both opportunity and risk. Teams like England, the Netherlands, and Italy now know their opponents and can begin strategic preparation, while smaller federations see clear pathways to tournament qualification.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 18, 2026
WireUEFA announces playoff draw for 2027 Women's World Cup European qualifiers