Heavy play-off wins prompt questions over Women’s World Cup qualifying format

England’s emphatic win over Greece has renewed questions about whether Europe’s qualifying format for the 2027 Women’s World Cup is producing competitive play-offs. BBC Sport says England won 8-1 on aggregate against a side ranked 55 places below them, while other leading European teams also recorded heavy victories over lower-ranked opponents. [1]

The BBC reports that only group winners qualified automatically, sending several strong teams into the play-offs. The Netherlands beat Hungary 11-0 on aggregate, Norway defeated Romania 8-0, while Sweden and the Republic of Ireland won their ties 15-0 and 12-0 respectively. [1]

England, who finished second behind world champions Spain in League A3, now face Ukraine in a two-legged tie: the first leg is away on 1 December, with the return at Wembley on 5 December. England beat Ukraine twice in the league phase, by an aggregate 9-1. BBC Sport argues that the format means England must face the same opponent at least three times during qualification. [1]

England won five of their eight qualifying matches, scoring 21 goals and conceding six; their only defeat was away to Spain. They collected 15 points, a total exceeded by only Germany, Switzerland and Hungary, according to the BBC. The report notes that Switzerland and Hungary competed in groups without a team ranked among the world’s top 45, while England’s group included Iceland, ranked 13th, and world number one Spain. [1]

England manager Sarina Wiegman said Uefa would review the format, but that her focus was on the play-off against Ukraine. She has also criticised the outcome of England’s campaign: despite winning five games and taking 15 points, the team had to enter the play-offs after finishing behind Spain. [1]

The BBC says the wider European game has become more competitive, pointing to England’s failure to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games after finishing second to the Netherlands in their Nations League group, as well as a draw with Portugal, a defeat by Belgium and two penalty shoot-outs at Euro 2025. It contrasts the one-sided qualifying ties with recent high-level international friendlies, including Germany against Japan, Brazil’s 2-2 draw with Argentina, and two meetings between the United States and Spain in five days.