England face Greece in the first round of the 2027 Women’s World Cup play‑offs, after a hard‑won five‑win haul in qualifying. The Lionesses must win two legs to reach Brazil. A victory would set up a home fixture against the winner of Slovakia v Ukraine, with the away leg played first later this year.

Spain topped the group, clinching the sole automatic berth and leaving England to chase the play‑off route. Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland also drew their opponents. Wales will meet Albania, Scotland face the Czech Republic, Northern Ireland take on Portugal, while Ireland travel to Kazakhstan for a spot in Brazil.

England’s path continues with a potential round‑two clash against the Slovakia‑or‑Ukraine winner, while Finland or Serbia could face Belarus or Italy. Northern Ireland’s first‑round test against Portugal echoes Euro 2025 losses, and a second‑round meeting with Iceland would test England’s defensive solidity. Scotland aim to break a 2023 absence in the final tournament.

With dates set for October, November and December, the play‑offs promise drama as teams battle for a single berth. England’s recent wins over Ukraine in qualifiers give confidence, yet the Greek challenge remains tough. The draw also maps a clear route for Wales, who dominated Albania 4‑0 in qualifying, hinting at a repeat performance soon.