The UEFA path to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup turned sharply on Matchday 5, with Spain’s emphatic win over England, Ireland’s upset of the Netherlands, and a long list of one-sided results reshaping the mood across the continent. With the final group round now looming, the picture is far clearer in some places and far more volatile in others, which is exactly what makes the last set of fixtures so important.
What stood out most on the night
Spain produced the result that defined the evening, overwhelming England 4-0 in Group A3 and sending a clear message about their strength at this stage of qualifying. That scoreline mattered not only because of its size, but because it reversed the earlier result between the teams and immediately changed the pressure facing the final round.
Several other established teams also handled their business with authority. Germany beat Norway 2-0, France defeated Poland 2-0, and Italy responded well with a 3-0 victory over Serbia. The most surprising result, though, came from Dublin, where the Republic of Ireland edged the Netherlands 3-2 in one of the round’s most dramatic games.
There were also major goal bursts elsewhere, as Switzerland, Portugal, Scotland, and Belgium all scored heavily and kept their groups moving in predictable directions. Those lopsided wins may not have produced the same headlines as Spain’s statement performance, but they were important for momentum, goal difference, and confidence going into the final matchday.
- Spain 4-0 England was the headline result of the round.
- Republic of Ireland 3-2 Netherlands was the biggest upset.
- Germany, France, and Italy all won without much trouble.
- Switzerland, Portugal, Scotland, and Belgium each delivered dominant scorelines.
Full Matchday 5 results
Friday’s schedule covered every league in the European qualifying system, and it produced a mix of tight contests, clear favorites taking control, and a few matches that broke expectations completely. The full set of results shows just how uneven the night became once the leading sides settled into rhythm.
League A
- Italy 3-0 Serbia
- Denmark 2-1 Sweden
- Poland 0-2 France
- Republic of Ireland 3-2 Netherlands
- Ukraine 0-1 Iceland
- Spain 4-0 England
- Austria 1-0 Slovenia
- Germany 2-0 Norway
League B
- Czechia 1-1 Albania
- Montenegro 1-1 Wales
- Türkiye 2-1 Northern Ireland
- Switzerland 6-1 Malta
- Slovakia 0-4 Finland
- Portugal 5-0 Latvia
- Scotland 6-0 Israel
- Belgium 6-0 Luxembourg
League C
- Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-0 Lithuania
- Liechtenstein 0-5 Estonia
- Bulgaria 3-1 Gibraltar
- Kosovo 0-1 Croatia
- Azerbaijan 1-2 Hungary
- Andorra 0-1 North Macedonia
- Georgia 2-3 Faroe Islands
- Moldova 0-0 Romania
- Armenia 1-1 Kazakhstan
The final group round is where everything tightens
Matchday 6 arrives on Tuesday 9 June 2026, and it will settle the remaining group positions before the play-off phase begins. In several groups, the leading teams still need one more strong result to finish on the right side of the standings, while others are fighting to improve seeding or stay alive for the next stage.
Two fixtures in particular will draw heavy attention: England v Ukraine and Iceland v Spain in Group A3. Spain’s win over England makes that closing round especially significant, because the final standings can still shift depending on how those two matches unfold. Group A2 also promises a tense ending, with France v Republic of Ireland coming after Ireland’s surprise victory over the Netherlands.
- League A closes with Sweden v Italy, Serbia v Denmark, France v Republic of Ireland, Netherlands v Poland, England v Ukraine, Iceland v Spain, Norway v Austria, and Slovenia v Germany.
- League B ends with Wales v Czechia, Albania v Montenegro, Northern Ireland v Switzerland, Malta v Türkiye, Finland v Portugal, Latvia v Slovakia, Luxembourg v Belgium, and Israel v Scotland.
- League C finishes with Estonia v Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lithuania v Liechtenstein, Croatia v Bulgaria, Gibraltar v Kosovo, Hungary v Andorra, North Macedonia v Azerbaijan, Georgia v Greece, Cyprus v Moldova, and Belarus v Armenia.
What comes after group qualifying
Once the groups are finished, the route to Brazil continues through the play-offs for the teams that do not secure automatic qualification. The draw for those ties is scheduled for 18 June 2026, and that date will determine the next set of pairings on the road to the tournament.
The play-off calendar is already set out in stages. The first round will be played over two legs from 7 to 13 October 2026, followed by a second two-legged round from 25 November to 5 December 2026. The inter-confederation play-offs are due in February 2027, which means the qualifying path will stretch well beyond the group stage.
Brazil 2027 is the prize
The final destination is the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, scheduled for 24 June to 25 July 2027. Because it will be the first women’s World Cup hosted in South America, every result in the European qualifiers carries extra weight and historical significance.
Spain’s demolition of England and Ireland’s comeback win over the Netherlands were reminders that the qualifying race can change quickly. With one matchday left before the play-off bracket is formed, the closing round will decide who advances directly, who needs another route, and which teams enter the next phase with momentum on their side.