FIFA sets separate knockout paths for leading seeds at 2027 Women's World Cup

FIFA has released the draw procedures for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil, setting conditions that would prevent the two highest-ranked teams from meeting before the final. According to the governing body's announcement on Wednesday, that separation depends on both teams finishing first in their respective groups.

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The draw will assign the first- and second-ranked sides to different knockout pathways, with the third- and fourth-ranked sides also placed on opposite routes. The rankings published most recently before the draw will determine which teams receive those positions. The protection therefore concerns the tournament bracket, rather than guaranteeing any team's progress through it.

Four pots, each containing eight teams, will be used for the draw on December 11 at Rio de Janeiro's Museum of Modern Art. FIFA confirmed a 1.30pm local start. Its procedures also provide for each group to include at least one European team, but no more than two, reflecting UEFA's allocation of qualifying places.

The venue and broader tournament format were announced earlier by FIFA. Brazil will stage 64 matches involving 32 teams across eight host cities, becoming the first South American country to host the Women's World Cup. Delegations from qualified nations and teams still seeking qualification are expected at the draw, which establishes both group opponents and routes through the competition.

Qualification will not be complete when those groups are drawn. FIFA's published explanation of the inter-confederation playoff format sets out a preliminary phase involving six teams: two each from Asia and Africa, and one each from South America and Oceania. Two teams will advance from that stage to join four other sides in the final playoff phase.

Those four additional entrants comprise two from Concacaf, one from South America and one from Europe. The resulting six-team field will contest three knockout pathways for the remaining three World Cup places, with teams from the same confederation kept apart. Separately, FIFA has said an updated World Cup match schedule will follow the main draw, confirming group-stage host-city assignments and kick-off times.