The next FIFA Women’s World Cup will be played in Brazil in 2027. It will be the first edition of the tournament held in South America, and the final will be played at the famous Estádio do Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro.
Last updated: 1 November 2026. 18 of the 32 places have been filled.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Host | Brazil |
| Dates | 24 June to 25 July 2027 |
| Teams | 32 |
| Matches | 64 |
| Host cities | 8 |
| Opening match and final | Estádio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro |
| Defending champions | Spain (won in 2023) |
| Teams qualified so far | 18 of 32 (as of 1 November 2026) |
Who Has Qualified for the 2027 Women’s World Cup?
As of 1 November 2026, 18 of the 32 places have been filled, according to FIFA. These nations have qualified alongside hosts Brazil:
- Asia: Australia, China, South Korea, Japan, the Philippines and North Korea
- Oceania: New Zealand
- Europe: Germany, Denmark, Spain and France
- South America: Colombia and Argentina
- Africa: Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon and Malawi
No team from CONCACAF has qualified yet. The remaining places from Europe, CONCACAF and the play-off tournament will be filled between late November 2026 and early March 2027.
Remaining Qualification: The Last 14 Places
Fourteen places are still open: seven from Europe, four from CONCACAF and three from the play-off tournament.
Europe: Seven Places Still Open
Europe has 11 direct places. Denmark, France, Germany and Spain have qualified, so seven European places are still open. One more European team will go to the play-off tournament.
CONCACAF W Championship: 27 November – 5 December 2026
Eight teams play in Texas, at Texas Health Mansfield Stadium in Mansfield and Shell Energy Stadium in Houston: the United States, Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Haiti and Panama. The four quarter-final winners qualify for Brazil. The four quarter-final losers play a play-in round for two places in the play-off tournament.
Play-off Tournament: The Last Three Places
Ten teams compete for the final three places. In the preliminary phase, played in Rabat, Morocco, from 28 November to 5 December 2026, Chinese Taipei, Ecuador, Ghana, Papua New Guinea, South Africa and Uzbekistan play three matches each. The top two teams advance to the final phase.
The final phase takes place between 23 February and 6 March 2027. The two preliminary-phase winners join Venezuela, two CONCACAF teams and one UEFA team. The six teams are drawn into three knockout ties, and the three winners qualify for the World Cup.
Host Cities and Stadiums
Eight cities will host matches, and each will stage at least seven games including at least one knockout match.
| City | Stadium | Matches up to |
|---|---|---|
| Rio de Janeiro | Estádio do Maracanã | Opening match, semi-final and Final |
| São Paulo | Arena Itaquera | Semi-final and Bronze Final |
| Belo Horizonte | Estádio Mineirão | Quarter-finals |
| Fortaleza | Arena Castelão | Quarter-finals |
| Brasília | Estádio Nacional | Round of 16 |
| Porto Alegre | Estádio Beira-Rio | Round of 16 |
| Recife | Arena de Pernambuco | Round of 16 |
| Salvador | Arena Fonte Nova | Round of 16 |
A Closer Look at the Host Cities
Brazil is a vast country, and the eight host cities stretch from the warm north-east coast to the cooler far south. Here is what to expect from each.
Rio de Janeiro – Estádio do Maracanã
The most famous stadium in Brazil hosts the opening match, a semi-final and the final. As well as the 1950 and 2014 men’s World Cups, it staged the football finals at the 2016 Olympic Games.
São Paulo – Arena Itaquera
Home of Corinthians and the venue for the opening match of the 2014 World Cup, Arena Itaquera stages Brazil’s second group game, one semi-final and the bronze final. São Paulo is Brazil’s largest city and its main international air hub.
Belo Horizonte – Estádio Mineirão
The Mineirão is remembered worldwide as the scene of Germany’s 7–1 semi-final win over Brazil in 2014. In 2027 it will host knockout football up to the quarter-final stage.
Fortaleza – Arena Castelão
Located on the north-east coast, Fortaleza offers warm weather even in the Brazilian winter and will host a quarter-final.
Brasília – Estádio Nacional
The stadium in the capital, also known as Mané Garrincha, will host Brazil’s third group game on 4 July and matches up to the round of 16.
Porto Alegre – Estádio Beira-Rio
Home of Internacional, the Beira-Rio is the southernmost venue. Expect noticeably cooler temperatures here in June and July.
Recife – Arena de Pernambuco
Recife, another north-eastern city, is known for its beaches and historic old town. Its stadium will host matches up to the round of 16.
Salvador – Arena Fonte Nova
Salvador, the capital of Bahia, is famous for its Afro-Brazilian culture and colonial centre. The Fonte Nova will also host games up to the round of 16.
Brazil’s Group Stage Schedule
FIFA published the match schedule in August 2026. As hosts, Brazil open the tournament at the Maracanã.
- 24 June 2027: Estádio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro
- 29 June 2027: Arena Itaquera, São Paulo
- 4 July 2027: Estádio Nacional, Brasília
Opponents will be confirmed after the final draw.
Key Dates on the Road to Brazil 2027
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 20 August 2026 | Full match schedule unveiled by FIFA |
| 28 November – 5 December 2026 | Play-off tournament preliminary phase in Rabat, Morocco |
| 27 November – 5 December 2026 | CONCACAF W Championship in Texas |
| 11 December 2026 | Final draw in Rio de Janeiro |
| 23 February – 6 March 2027 | Play-off tournament final phase |
| 24 June 2027 | Opening match at the Maracanã |
| 25 July 2027 | Final at the Maracanã |
The Final Draw: 11 December 2026
The final draw will take place on Friday 11 December 2026 at the Museum of Modern Art (MAM Rio) in Rio de Janeiro. More than 1,000 guests are expected, including delegations from qualified teams and from nations still in the play-off tournament.
The draw will decide the eight groups and each team’s path through the tournament. After it, FIFA will publish an updated match schedule that assigns group fixtures to host cities and confirms kick-off times.
A Historic Final at the Maracanã
The Maracanã hosted the deciding match of the 1950 men’s World Cup and the 2014 men’s final. In 2027 it will become only the third stadium to host both a men’s World Cup final and a Women’s World Cup final, after the Råsunda Stadium in Sweden (1958 and 1995) and the Rose Bowl in the United States (1994 and 1999).
Tournament Format
The 2027 tournament keeps the 32-team format introduced in 2023. Teams are drawn into eight groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the Round of 16, followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals, the bronze final and the final.
What Happens in the Knockout Rounds?
From the round of 16 onwards, every match must produce a winner. If the scores are level after 90 minutes, the game goes to 30 minutes of extra time and, if needed, a penalty shoot-out. The two losing semi-finalists meet in the bronze final in São Paulo before the final at the Maracanã.
Video Assistant Referees have been part of the Women’s World Cup since the 2019 tournament in France and will again be used throughout. For a plain-English guide to how VAR decisions and offside calls work, read our offside rule and VAR explainer.
How Qualification Works
Brazil qualified automatically as hosts. The other 31 places are decided through continental qualifying competitions, followed by an inter-confederation play-off tournament for the last three spots. If you want to understand the general principles behind confederation slots and play-offs, see our explainer on how World Cup qualification works.
| Confederation | Direct places | Play-off places |
|---|---|---|
| AFC (Asia) | 6 | 2 |
| CAF (Africa) | 4 | 2 |
| CONCACAF (North, Central America and Caribbean) | 4 | 2 |
| CONMEBOL (South America) | 2 + Brazil as hosts | 2 |
| OFC (Oceania) | 1 | 1 |
| UEFA (Europe) | 11 | 1 |
| Inter-confederation play-offs | 3 | – |
Qualifying Routes by Region
- Asia: the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia doubled as the qualifying tournament.
- Africa: the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco decided CAF’s places, with quarter-final winners going straight through.
- North and Central America: the CONCACAF W Championship serves as qualifying, with its knockout stage scheduled for November 2026.
- South America: a new CONMEBOL Women’s Nations League, played home and away, decided the continent’s places, with Brazil excluded as hosts.
- Europe: a league-based qualifying competition ran from March to June 2026, followed by two-legged play-offs at the end of the year.
- Play-off tournament: ten teams contest the final three places, with the deciding matches in February 2027.
How Brazil Won the Hosting Rights
Brazil was chosen as host at the FIFA Congress in May 2024, beating a joint European bid from Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Brazil hosted the men’s World Cup in 1950 and 2014, but this will be its first Women’s World Cup.
The Vote in Bangkok
The decision was made at the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok on 17 May 2024. Brazil won by 119 votes to 78, with 207 of FIFA’s 211 member associations casting a ballot. Brazil had also been rated more highly than the European bid in FIFA’s technical evaluation report.
The race had narrowed in the months before the vote. South Africa withdrew its bid in November 2023, and the joint United States–Mexico bid was pulled in April 2024, as those countries turned their attention to the 2031 tournament instead.
Why Brazil Made Sense as Host
- Ready-made stadiums: all eight venues were built or renovated for the 2014 men’s World Cup, which keeps construction costs low.
- A new frontier: the tournament had never been held in South America, and FIFA sees it as a chance to grow the women’s game across the continent.
- Football culture: few countries can match Brazil’s passion for the sport, and the women’s national team has a long and successful history.
Previous Women’s World Cup Winners
| Year | Host | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | China | United States |
| 1995 | Sweden | Norway |
| 1999 | United States | United States |
| 2003 | United States | Germany |
| 2007 | China | Germany |
| 2011 | Germany | Japan |
| 2015 | Canada | United States |
| 2019 | France | United States |
| 2023 | Australia and New Zealand | Spain |
How the Women’s World Cup Has Grown
The first Women’s World Cup, held in China in 1991, featured just 12 teams. The tournament grew to 16 teams in 1999, 24 in 2015 and 32 in 2023, when Australia and New Zealand staged the first edition with the current format.
Brazil 2027 is set to be the last 32-team Women’s World Cup. FIFA has agreed to expand the 2031 tournament to 48 teams, and the only bid for that edition is a joint one from the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica, which is due to be formally confirmed at an extraordinary FIFA Congress on 23 November 2026.
Looking at the list of past winners above, the United States have dominated with four titles, Germany have won twice, and Norway, Japan and Spain have each won once. Brazil would become only the sixth different champion if they win on home soil.
2023 v 2027: What Changes?
- One host instead of two: 2023 was split between Australia and New Zealand, while 2027 is entirely in Brazil.
- Same size: both tournaments feature 32 teams and 64 matches.
- A different continent: after Oceania in 2023, the tournament moves to South America for the first time.
- Established venues: Brazil is using stadiums that already hosted a men’s World Cup, so there is little new construction.
Brazil’s Women’s World Cup History
Brazil have played at every Women’s World Cup since the first edition in 1991, but they have never won it. Their best finish came in 2007, when they reached the final in China and lost to Germany. They also finished third in 1999.
No player embodies Brazilian women’s football more than Marta. She holds the record for the most goals in Women’s World Cup history with 17, a total that also edges past the men’s record of 16 set by Miroslav Klose – see our list of World Cup all-time top scorers for the men’s side of the story.
The 2023 tournament was a disappointment, with Brazil going out in the group stage. Since then, under head coach Arthur Elias, the team has rebuilt. They won silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics and lifted the 2025 Copa América Femenina, beating Colombia on penalties in the final, with Marta scoring a crucial goal. Playing at home in 2027 gives them their best chance yet to finally win the trophy.
Teams to Watch
With the draw still to come and several places yet to be decided, it is too early to predict the groups. Even so, a handful of nations already stand out as likely contenders, whether through recent results, tournament pedigree or home advantage. Here are the teams most likely to shape the story of Brazil 2027, along with where each stands on the road to qualification.
- Spain: the defending champions won their first title in 2023, beating England 1–0 in the final in Sydney, and qualified by topping their European group.
- Brazil: home advantage, a passionate crowd at the Maracanã and recent South American success make the hosts genuine contenders.
- United States: the most successful nation in the tournament’s history with four titles, they will be aiming to qualify through the CONCACAF W Championship.
- Germany: two-time champions in 2003 and 2007, and among the first European teams to book their places.
- England: runners-up in 2023 and European champions in 2025, England still need to come through the European play-offs.
- Japan: 2011 winners, who qualified through the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
Travel Tips for Fans
- It’s winter in Brazil: the tournament runs in the Southern Hemisphere winter. The north-east (Fortaleza, Recife, Salvador) stays warm, while Porto Alegre in the south can be cold, especially in the evenings.
- Distances are huge: travelling between host cities usually means a domestic flight rather than a road or rail trip, so book early if you plan to follow a team around the country.
- Check visa rules: since April 2025, citizens of the United States, Canada and Australia have needed an e-visa to visit Brazil. Rules can change, so check the latest requirements before you book.
- Tickets: fans can register their interest in tickets on FIFA’s official website. Only buy through official FIFA channels.
- Volunteering: FIFA is also taking sign-ups from people who want to volunteer at the tournament.
Where to Base Yourself
Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo are the natural bases for most visitors. They have the biggest international airports, host the most important knockout games and are relatively close to each other. Fans following a team drawn into the north-eastern cities may prefer to base themselves on that coast, where Fortaleza, Recife and Salvador offer warmer weather and beach life between matches. Wherever you stay, allow plenty of time to travel to stadiums, as traffic in large Brazilian cities can be heavy on match days.
What the 2027 Tournament Means for Women’s Football
Hosting the first Women’s World Cup in South America is a landmark moment. The region has historically had fewer professional opportunities for women players than Europe or North America, and a home tournament gives clubs, federations and sponsors a strong incentive to invest.
It also continues a busy cycle for world football. The men’s game heads to Spain, Portugal and Morocco in 2030, with opening celebrations in South America, and FIFA has continued to expand its women’s competitions. A successful tournament in Brazil would strengthen the case for future editions in new regions. To see how the men’s World Cup has spread across the globe over the decades, browse our complete list of World Cup winners.
Brazil 2027 also arrives one year after the expanded 48-team men’s World Cup in North America, which you can read about in our 2026 World Cup guide. Together, the two tournaments mark a period in which FIFA is staging bigger events in more parts of the world than ever before, and the women’s game continues to attract growing investment and attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2027 Women’s World Cup?
From 24 June to 25 July 2027.
Where is the 2027 Women’s World Cup final?
At the Estádio do Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro.
How many teams will play?
32 teams, playing 64 matches in total.
When is the draw for the 2027 Women’s World Cup?
On Friday 11 December 2026 at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro.
Which teams have qualified so far?
As of 1 November 2026, 18 teams had qualified: Brazil (hosts), Australia, China, South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, North Korea, New Zealand, Germany, Denmark, Spain, France, Colombia, Argentina, Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon and Malawi. The other 14 places will be decided between late November 2026 and early March 2027.
Have the USA qualified for the 2027 Women’s World Cup?
Not yet. The United States play in the CONCACAF W Championship from 27 November to 5 December 2026, where the four quarter-final winners qualify.
Have Brazil ever won the Women’s World Cup?
No. Their best result was reaching the 2007 final, where they lost to Germany.
Who are the defending champions?
Spain, who won the 2023 tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
Do I need a visa to travel to Brazil?
It depends on your nationality. Visitors from the United States, Canada and Australia have needed an e-visa since April 2025. Always check official government guidance before travelling.
How many host cities are there?
Eight: Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza, Brasília, Porto Alegre, Recife and Salvador. Each will host at least seven matches, including at least one knockout game.
Where will the bronze final be played?
At Arena Itaquera in São Paulo, which also hosts one of the two semi-finals.
Will 2027 be the last 32-team Women’s World Cup?
It is expected to be. FIFA has approved an expansion to 48 teams for the 2031 tournament, which the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica are bidding to host together.
Keep reading: the men’s game heads to three continents in our 2030 World Cup guide, the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia guide covers the edition after that, and our 2026 World Cup review recaps the most recent men’s tournament.
Source: FIFA, Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027 match schedule.
