Fifa has confirmed a change to the draw procedure for the 2027 Women's World Cup, ensuring the top four-ranked teams are kept apart until the semi-finals, provided each wins its group.
Spain, the United States, Germany and England currently occupy the top four positions in the world rankings respectively, although the US and England still need to qualify for the tournament. Seedings will be based on the updated rankings released on 7 December, meaning the standings could shift before the draw, which is scheduled for 11 December in Rio de Janeiro.
Draw rules and rankings
The top four sides were also separated until the semi-finals of the 2026 men's World Cup, which featured 48 teams, but it was only announced on Wednesday that the same rule would apply to the 32-team women's tournament. In the men's World Cup, the top four – Spain, Argentina, France and England – all reached the semi-finals.
Record four-time champions the US face El Salvador on 27 November as they look to confirm their place at next summer's tournament. A victory, combined with no changes to the world rankings, would place the Americans in the opposite half of the draw to defending champions Spain. That would mean, if both win their groups, the two teams could not meet until the final, scheduled for the Maracanã Stadium on 25 July. Neither Spain nor the US finished top of their group at the last World Cup.
Qualification scenarios
England, the 2023 runners-up, must beat Ukraine over two legs on 1 and 5 December to secure their qualification. The European champions hold a 31-point advantage over fifth-placed Japan in the world rankings ahead of the upcoming round of internationals.
France, hosts Brazil and Sweden – who finished third at three of the past four World Cups and face Scotland in their qualifying playoff in December – would complete the set of eight Pot 1 seeds for the eight groups, if the current top eight remains unchanged. Canada, ranked ninth, could claim a Pot 1 spot if any team slips up.
Draw details and pots
Fifa has also confirmed the draw will take place at 1.30pm local time (11.30am EST/4.30pm GMT) on 11 December at Rio de Janeiro's Museum of Modern Art. Brazil, as hosts, will be placed into Group A and will contest the opening match at the Maracanã on 24 June.
After the eight Pot 1 sides, the next eight highest-ranked teams involved will be in Pot 2, with the next eight below them in Pot 3. Pot 4 will include three places for the winners of the inter-confederation playoff tournament, which concludes in March, along with the lowest-ranked sides involved.
No group will be permitted to include more than one team from the same continent, except for European teams, of whom there can be a maximum of two per group.
