World Cup Qualifiers Round-Up

Grace Gunn
1 day ago
5 min read

The opening two fixtures in the race for a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil have set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely competitive qualifying campaign.

With a limited number of automatic qualification spots available, every point carries significant weight, and early slip-ups could prove costly.

Reigning world champions Spain made an emphatic start, securing two wins from two, whilst, former champions Norway experienced a more mixed opening, reflecting the inconsistency that has followed them in recent years.

Sarina Wiegman’s England also began their campaign strongly. After initially struggling to break down Ukraine, the Lionesses eventually found their rhythm.

Elsewhere, two-time world champions Germany enjoyed a near-perfect start with two dominant victories, whilst former finalists Netherlands endured a difficult start before bouncing back with a crucial win.

League A Group 1

Denmark lead the group after the opening two matchdays, beginning their campaign with an impressive 3–1 victory over Serbia, a side that had been unbeaten in six matches prior to that encounter.

However, Denmark were unable to maintain their winning streak in matchday two, settling for a 1–1 draw against Italy.

Sweden managed to edge their opening match thanks to a goal from Filippa Angeldal but were far from convincing in their second outing, being held to a goalless draw by Serbia.

Italy’s start has been particularly underwhelming following their impressive run at last summer’s Euros. With only one point from their opening two games, the Italians have left themselves little margin for error in a qualification format where only one automatic spot is available.

Serbia, the lowest-ranked side in the group, have shown resilience. After narrowly missing out on points in their opener against Denmark due to a Pernille Harder penalty, they produced a disciplined defensive display to earn a point against Sweden.

League A Group 2

France made a powerful statement in their opening fixtures. They kicked off their campaign with a 2–1 victory over Ireland, with Melvine Malard scoring twice in quick succession, before following that up with a commanding 4–1 win against Poland.

The Netherlands endured a frustrating start, drawing 2–2 in an entertaining clash with Poland. However, they bounced back in matchday two thanks to a late winner from Lineth Beerensteyn against Ireland.

Poland impressed in spells despite their defeat to France. After holding the Netherlands to a draw in their opener, they managed to pull level against the seventh-ranked French side before eventually falling short.

Ireland nearly produced an upset in their first match when Katie McCabe gave them the lead against France, but Malard’s rapid brace turned the game around, and the side then suffered another narrow defeat to the Netherlands in matchday two.

League A Group 3

England sit top of the group after two matches, largely thanks to their superior attacking output. Their campaign began with a dominant second-half display against Ukraine in which they scored six goals before securing a comfortable 2–0 victory over Iceland.

Spain also enjoyed a strong start. The World Champions opened with what felt like a routine win, as Claudia Pina scored twice before Edna Imade added a third. Spain repeated that in their second match, defeating Ukraine 3–1 while also handing Ornella Vignola her debut.

With both the reigning World Champions and European Champions in the same group, Ukraine and Iceland always faced a difficult task. Both teams remain winless after their opening two matches and will meet next in a crucial encounter as they search for their first points.

League A Group 4

Germany have been among the most impressive teams so far, delivering two dominant performances while yet to concede a goal. A 5–0 victory over Slovenia was followed by a 4–0 win against Austria, placing them firmly in control of the group.

Norway began their campaign with a narrow 1–0 win over Austria thanks to a late goal from Lisa Naalsund, but they were unable to cope with Germany’s attacking power in their second fixture.

One of the biggest surprises of the group came when Slovenia, ranked 38th in the world, managed to defeat 19th-ranked Austria. Austria, therefore, sit bottom of the group after failing to score in either of their opening matches.

League B Group 1

Wales began their campaign with late drama as Elise Hughes secured a stoppage-time equaliser to earn a draw in their opener. They followed that result with an emphatic 6–0 victory over Montenegro to claim their first win of the campaign.

Czechia also responded strongly after drawing with Wales, picking up their first victory in matchday two against Albania.

Albania started brightly with a comeback win against Montenegro, powered by a seven-minute brace from Megi Doci. However, they were unable to maintain that momentum and suffered a heavy 5–1 defeat to Czechia.

For Montenegro, it has been a difficult start as they remain without a point after two matches.

League B Group 2

Switzerland and Turkey have both made perfect starts to their campaigns, each winning their opening two matches against Northern Ireland and Malta.

The two sides will now meet in what could prove to be a decisive clash, with both currently level on points.

Northern Ireland and Malta, meanwhile, will aim to regroup before the next international window when they face each other in search of their first points.

League B Group 3

Portugal have enjoyed a strong start, producing two impressive performances to top the group. They scored twice against Finland before recording a convincing 4–0 win over Slovakia.

Finland and Slovakia are separated only by goal difference after each recording one win and one loss: both losing to Portugal but defeating Latvia.

Latvia, despite some competitive displays, remain without a point after two matches.

League B Group 4

Scotland have been one of the standout teams so far, scoring twelve goals across their opening two fixtures against Luxembourg, winning 5–0 before repeating the fixture with an even more emphatic 7–0 victory.

Belgium have also started strongly, collecting six points from their matches against Israel. The upcoming meeting between Scotland and Belgium promises to be one of the most exciting fixtures in the next international window.

Israel and Luxembourg will face each other next as both teams search for their first points of the campaign.

League C Group 1

Bosnia and Herzegovina have made a stunning start to qualification. After defeating Estonia 3–0 in their opener, they followed it up with a remarkable 13–0 victory over Liechtenstein.

Lithuania remain unbeaten after beating Liechtenstein and drawing 0–0 with Estonia whilst bottom side Liechtenstein have endured a difficult start with two heavy defeats.

League C Group 2

Kosovo opened their campaign with back-to-back victories, putting them in early control of the group whilst Croatia and Bulgaria have experienced mixed fortunes so far, each recording one win and one loss.

Gibraltar sit bottom of the table after failing to score in defeats to Kosovo and Bulgaria.

League C Group 3

Hungary are the only unbeaten side in the group so far after they were held to a 0–0 draw by Andorra but followed it up with a narrow 1–0 win over Azerbaijan.

North Macedonia and Azerbaijan have each secured one victory and sit level on three points, while Andorra are on the board with a single point.

League C Group 4

Greece lead the group after winning both of their matches, although they are currently the only team to have played two games in this three-team group.

Georgia and the Faroe Islands remain level on zero points after playing just one match each.

League C Group 5

Romania have made the strongest start in Group 5, collecting six points from two matches whilst Moldova and Cyprus both sit on zero points after losing out to the group leaders.

League C Group 6

Group 6 remains tightly contested. Belarus sit top of the table on goal difference after defeating Kazakhstan 1–0.

Kazakhstan had earlier recorded a convincing 3–0 victory over Armenia but were unable to find the net against Belarus, leaving the group finely balanced heading into the next round of fixtures.