Spain, France, and Denmark are headed to Brazil after Tuesday’s qualifiers. The League A group-leaders joined Germany to claim Europe’s four direct 2027 World Cup bids this week.
Defending champion Spain crushed Iceland 6-1 to finish first in qualifying Group A3 behind a Vicky Lopez brace. Meanwhile, Melvine Malard’s near-halftime heroics lifted France over the Republic of Ireland 1-0 to win Group A2 over the Netherlands.
Denmark silenced Serbia 4-1 to climb Group A1’s ranks, netting two goals in the first 15 minutes before Amalie Vangsgaard curled in the game-winner. And the already-qualified Germans cemented their A4 dominance by shutting out Slovenia 2-0.
UEFA has 11 tournament slots, with League A’s top finishers earning automatic berths. However, the second- and third-place teams move to a playoff round with lower-league winners.
Playoff-bound 2023 World Cup runner-up and reigning Euros champion England became the week’s biggest surprise, ceding Group A3 to Spain despite beating Ukraine 3-0 behind new Manchester City signing Beth Mead’s 40th international goal.
“I’m happy with the performance but not with the result that we have to go into the playoffs,” Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman said postmatch. “We know what we have to do. I’m very positive that we will qualify anyway.”
The playoff draw is set for June 18th, with the continental showdown kicking off this October.
