Top four teams in Fifa rankings set to be kept apart until semi-finals at 2027 Women's World Cup

Fifa confirms top four ranked teams will be kept apart until semi-finals at 2027 Women's World Cup, provided each wins their group.

Fifa has confirmed a change to the 2027 Women's World Cup draw procedure that will separate the top four ranked teams until the semi-finals, mirroring the rule applied to the 2026 men's tournament. Spain, the United States, Germany and England currently occupy the top four positions in the world rankings, though the US and England must still qualify for the tournament.

The draw will take place on 11 December in Rio de Janeiro at the Museum of Modern Art. Seedings will be based on rankings updated on 7 December, meaning the standings could shift before the draw. The rule only applies if the top four teams each win their group; if they do, they cannot meet until the semi-finals. The final will be held at the Maracanã Stadium on 25 July.

The US face El Salvador on 27 November to secure qualification, while England must beat Ukraine over two legs on 1 and 5 December. Brazil, as hosts, will be placed in Group A and play the opening match on 24 June. The tournament will feature 32 teams divided into eight groups, with no group permitted more than one team from the same continent except Europe, which can have a maximum of two.