The 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup will take place in Brazil from 24 June to 25 July 2027, marking the 10th edition of the tournament.
Matches will be played across eight stadiums that previously hosted games during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Context: Tournament Format and Expansion
The 2027 tournament will feature 32 national teams, the same format used in the 2023 edition. It will also be the final Women’s World Cup with 32 teams, as the competition is scheduled to expand to 48 teams beginning in 2031.
Hosts Brazil women's national football team automatically qualify for the tournament.
The defending champions are Spain women's national football team, who defeated England women's national football team in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup final.
The event represents the first Women’s World Cup hosted in South America since the tournament’s launch in 1991, and it will be the largest women’s football event ever held in Brazil.
Tournament Details
Competition Information
- • Competition: FIFA Women’s World Cup
- • Edition: 10th tournament
- • Host Country: Brazil
- • Dates: 24 June – 25 July 2027
- • Teams: 32
- • Defending Champions: Spain
Host Cities and Stadiums
FIFA selected eight Brazilian cities to host matches:
- • Belo Horizonte – Estádio Mineirão
- • Brasília – Estádio Nacional
- • Fortaleza – Arena Castelão
- • Porto Alegre – Estádio Beira-Rio
- • Recife – Arena de Pernambuco
- • Rio de Janeiro – Maracanã Stadium
- • Salvador – Arena Fonte Nova
- • São Paulo – Arena Itaquera
The Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, with a capacity of 78,838, is the largest venue and previously hosted major global finals including the 1950 and 2014 men’s World Cup finals.
Qualification Overview
A total of 32 teams will qualify through regional confederations and play-offs.
| Confederation | Qualification Slots |
|---|---|
| Europe | 11 |
| Asia | 6 |
| Africa | 4 |
| North/Central America & Caribbean | 4 |
| South America | 3 |
| Oceania | 1 |
| Inter-confederation play-offs | 3 |
European qualification matches will take place between February and December 2026.
European Qualifying Groups (League A)
The UEFA qualifying structure is based on the 2025 UEFA Women’s Nations League rankings, dividing teams into three leagues.
League A Groups
- • Group A1 – Sweden, Italy, Denmark, Serbia
- • Group A2 – France, Netherlands, Poland, Republic of Ireland
- • Group A3 – Spain, England, Iceland, Ukraine
- • Group A4 – Germany, Norway, Austria, Slovenia
The four League A group winners qualify directly for the World Cup, while other teams move into play-offs.
Data Box
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Tournament | 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup |
| Host | Brazil |
| Dates | 24 June – 25 July 2027 |
| Teams | 32 |
| Host Cities | 8 |
| Defending Champions | Spain |
Verified Source
Tournament details, host venues and qualification structure were reported by BBC Sport, based on official information from FIFA.
Analysis
The 2027 Women’s World Cup represents a transitional moment for the tournament. It will be the final edition using the 32-team format before the planned expansion to 48 teams in 2031, reflecting FIFA’s broader strategy to increase global participation.
Hosting the tournament in Brazil also signals FIFA’s effort to expand the geographic footprint of the women’s game. South America has traditionally hosted fewer major women’s football tournaments compared with Europe and North America.
What Happens Next
Upcoming Timeline
- • 2026 – European and other continental qualification tournaments
- • 2027 (June 24) – Tournament begins in Brazil
- • 2027 (July 25) – World Cup final
Teams across six confederations will complete their qualification campaigns throughout 2026 and early 2027.
Discussion
With Brazil hosting and the format set to expand after this edition, how will the 2027 Women’s World Cup shape the next phase of international women’s football?