England’s first‑round Women’s World Cup play‑offs opponent is Greece, a team that has never qualified for the finals.
The draw on Thursday paired England with Greece, while Scotland must travel to face Czechia. Both matches kick off on 24 June, and the winners will face a second‑round opponent that could include powerhouses Ukraine, Slovakia or Sweden.
What the draw means for England
England will need to beat Greece and then overcome either Slovakia or Ukraine to secure a spot at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The English side, ranked in the world’s top‑five, faces a Greece side that has never reached a major tournament.
“If we win against Greece, we’ll be ready for whoever comes next,” reads the Guardian’s match preview, noting England’s depth and experience as key assets.
Should England prevail, the second‑leg opponent will be decided by the winner of the Ukraine‑Slovakia tie, both of which finished the qualifying group in the top three of their league.
Scotland’s uphill battle
Scotland’s route looks steeper. After beating Czechia, they will likely meet Sweden – the European champions and one of the most successful nations in women’s football.
The Guardian notes that Scotland will need to “bring a tactical masterclass” to stand a chance against Sweden, whose squad includes 150 caps veteran Stina Blackstenius.
Even a win over Czechia would not guarantee a clean run; the Swedish side has already qualified for the World Cup and will rest key players unless the tie proves decisive.
Why does this matter?
Qualification for the Women’s World Cup isn’t just a trophy chase; it drives investment, youth participation and broadcasting deals across Europe. England’s progression could unlock £15 million in UK sport funding, while Scotland’s success would boost the Scottish Women’s Football League’s visibility and inspire a new generation of players.
Fans in England and Scotland are already planning travel, and ticket sales could surge by up to 30 % if the teams reach the later stages, according to market analysis from economy and markets experts.
What happens next?
Thursday’s draw also set up Wales against Norway – a possible reunion with former Wales manager Gemma Grainger – and Northern Ireland could face Iceland, the League A side that topped its group.
All eight ties will be decided over two legs, with away‑goal rules scrapped for this cycle. The winners will join the six automatically qualified nations for the 2027 tournament.
Stay tuned as the first‑leg fixtures unfold; a surprise upset could rewrite the entire play‑off picture and send a lower‑ranked nation to Brazil.
For now, England and Scotland must focus on the immediate task: a 90‑minute battle that could shape the future of women’s football in the UK.