Spain returned to winning ways on Matchday 4 of European qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™, while Norway snatched victory in Slovenia and Republic of Ireland collected their second win of the week over Poland. England also marched to another triumph, this time in a visit to Iceland. Elsewhere, Austria and Italy held Denmark and Germany respectively, and it was also a share of the spoils between France and the Netherlands.
Only the group winners in League A will qualify for the global finals in this first phase of qualifying. Between October and December 2026, 32 teams will compete in the play-offs for seven more direct World Cup tickets, with another team hoping to qualify in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.
UEFA Qualifiers, Matchday 4
Group A1
Denmark remained unbeaten but were unable to find a goal against Italy at Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium. Jakob Michelsen’s team took control early in the first half, but failed to pose a serious threat to Laura Giuliani’s net. As the game progressed, the Italians grew stronger and the home side were lucky to go into half-time goalless, as Angelica Soffia hit the crossbar in the 28th minute following a corner. After the break, the momentum swung back and forth, with chances at both ends, but a winner could not be found.
Sweden goal: Blackstenius (50)
Although goalkeeper Jennifer Falk was called upon to make a double save early in the match, it was clear that Sweden were out for redemption following their defeat to Denmark. After that wake-up call, the Scandinavians dominated proceedings, but failed to score the opening goal in the first half. Stina Blackstenius then rewarded her team shortly after the restart. Although the Swedes failed to score another goal, this narrow victory was enough to move them within a point of group leaders Denmark.
Group A2
Republic of Ireland goal: Sheva (41)
In a clash between the third- and fourth-placed teams, Poland’s Ewa Pajor had the first big chance of the match, before Emily Murphy hit the crossbar at the other end. Shortly before half-time, the Irish finally had something to cheer about when Marissa Sheva scored from close range. After the break, the crossbar came to Poland’s rescue once again – this time from Denise O’Sullivan’s shot. Poland never gave up, but were unable to find an equaliser.
France goal: Katoto (45+1)
Netherlands goal: Kaptein (75)
Just a few days after the Netherlands’ 2–1 home win, the two nations faced off once again in the battle for top spot in the table. The visitors had the first chance of the match when Esmee Brugts’ shot was saved by Pauline Payraud-Magnin. It seemed to serve as a wake-up call for the French, who grew stronger from that point on. They were rewarded in stoppage time of the first half when Marie-Antoinette Katoto converted a cross from Sandy Baltimore to put France ahead.
In the second half, the Dutch got back on level footing when Wieke Kaptein was in the right place to meet a cross from Brugts and head home the equaliser. A few minutes later, the French almost regained the lead – but the post saved the Netherlands from defeat.
Group A3
Spain goals: Imade (2 & 47), Mendez (61), Navarro (71), Lopez (76)
Spain responded to their defeat against England on the previous matchday after just two minutes, taking the lead through Edna Imade, who headed home a cross from Lucia Corrales. Spain subsequently controlled the game, but were fortunate just before half-time when Ukraine struck the woodwork. The second half then began with a sense of déjà vu: once again, after just two minutes, a cross from Corrales from an identical position found Imade’s head, sparking celebrations. Maria Mendez then extended the lead also with a header, followed by Eva Navarro tallying the fourth and Vicky Lopez completing the rout from close range.
England goal: Russo (21)
Coach Sarina Wiegman’s England side kept things rolling after their midweek triumph over Spain with victory at Iceland. Alessia Russo notched the decisive goal from a pass by Lauren Hemp. After the break, England’s dominance waned, with Iceland taking control for long stretches. There were chances at both ends, however: among others, England’s Beth Mead saw her header saved by Cecilia Runarsdottir, whilst at the other end Hannah Hampton was on hand at the last moment to prevent Dilja Zomers from equalising.
Group A4
Slovenia goals: Zver (42 & 70)
Norways goals: Hegerberg (36), Jensen (66), Gaupset (90+2)
It was an action-packed affair from the start, as Caroline Graham Hansen had a chance to put Norway ahead after just six minutes, but her shot from a tight angle was saved by Zala Mersnik. Slovenia stood their ground against the favourites in the first half and repeatedly threatened in attack. Nevertheless, it was the visitors who were the first to celebrate: after a blocked shot by Signe Gaupset, the ball fell to Ada Hegerberg, who made no mistake and scored.
Just before half-time, Slovenia equalised in curious fashion when a free-kick taken by Mateja Zver near the halfway line was caught by Norway goalkeeper Cecilie Fiskerstrand only once it had crossed the goal line. Norway took the lead again through Synne Jensen, before Zver equalised from the penalty spot. Norway’s pressure finally paid off in the closing stages, as Gaupset scored the winner in stoppage time.
Germany dropped points for the first time in qualifying in their visit to Austria. The only notable chance of the first half fell to Germany’s Jule Brand after just four minutes, but her shot was brilliantly saved by Austria goalkeeper Mariella El Sherif. Chances in front of goal were also few and far between in the second half, until Sjoeke Nusken and Janina Minge both failed to beat El Sherif and the crossbar respectively from close range. Shortly afterwards, Minge found herself in the spotlight at the other end when she committed a last-ditch foul on Julia Hickelsberger, leaving Germany to see out the closing stages with ten players.
What they said
“It’s been a wild week. I didn’t expect to start in both games. I’m just happy that Jakob Michelsen has that confidence in me.”
Cecilie Floe, Denmark player
“The last two games have shown that we are real warriors and a defensive team, and that is also good at times. And it is great that we have got four points from these two games.”
Stine Ballisager, Denmark player
“Even if the 2-0 didn’t come, we won today and that’s what we get to take with us. [Winning the group] is still possible and we have two games to look forward to in June. I really hope we take the chance.”
Stina Blackstenius, Sweden player
“I’m incredibly proud of this group, this camp. It’s always difficult to play the same opponent twice. This group, honestly, they are an absolute joy to work with, first and foremost. And that tonight was a proper Irish performance. We talked a lot about different scenarios, different momentum changes, different shifts in the game, how we might cope with them, what we might do. And that was the most impressive thing. The last 20 minutes, we’ve been conceding opportunities and we wanted to make sure that didn’t happen.”
Carla Ward, Republic of Ireland coach
“We knew it would be a tough game. We lacked quality in our passing and dynamism in our play, both with and without the ball. We’re still top of the table and we’re not burying our heads in the sand. We’ve still got two games to go and we’ll give it our all.”
Sjoeke Nusken, Germany player
“We’re all disappointed and wanted to win the match. Austria made it very difficult for us, we have to acknowledge that. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, especially in matches like this where we have to find solutions ourselves. But our fate is in our own hands and we’re still top of our group.”
Christian Wuck, Germany coach
“The draw feels like a win. We put a lot into it, so I’m delighted that we’ve managed to pick up our first point against Germany. Today, it was important to defend well. Now we need to keep improving and be bold with the ball too. Germany are a world-class team and are difficult to defend against. If they don’t create chances from open play, they’ll do so from set pieces.”
Alexander Schriebl, Austria coach
“I’m over the moon. It’s good for everyone in the team that we’ve had a successful outing and that we played as a unit for the full 90 minutes. That had been our problem recently, but today we managed to defend our goal for the full 90 minutes. I’m happy and proud of every single player. Perhaps luck was on our side too.”
Annabel Schaschnig, Austria player
“I’m proud of my players because they gave it their all. Unfortunately, on a counterattack—their only shot on goal in the second half—we weren’t quite alert enough. We hit the crossbar; we were just a bit unlucky. Overall, we deserved better. Qualification will come down to the wire. We know our fate is no longer in our own hands, because if the Netherlands win their last two matches, they’ll finish first in the group.”
Laurent Bonadei, France coach
