When Is The Women’s World Cup?

In 2022 the Lionesses brought football home. And as of last night, it’s here to stay: the England women’s football team have officially won their second consecutive UEFA Women’s Euro Championship.

Commentators are calling this ‘the greatest achievement in the history of English football’, and rightly so: this marks the very first time any senior England football team has won a major championship off home soil.

Hosted in Switzerland, England beat out the Netherlands, Wales, Sweden, Italy and finally Spain to raise the trophy, taking the final all the way to a nailbiting penalty shootout before the celebrations could commence.

It’s a magnificent accomplishment and parties reportedly reached the wee hours – and we’re sure the jubilations are far from over. (Indeed, an open top bus parade is set to take over central London today). But our optimistic attention is naturally now turning to the next big tournament the Lionesses will face: the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, hosted by Brazil (making it the very first Women’s World Cup to be held in South America). Spanning 24 June to 25 July 2027 and taking over eight venues across eight Brazilian cities, here’s everything we know so far.

2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup: All The Details

The Lionesses bagged their first major trophy at the 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro Championship (hosted on home soil). One year later, the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup marked the very first time a European nation had won since 2007 – but it sadly wasn’t the England national team raising the trophy.

Their win was just scuppered by Spain in a tense final. There was a lot at stake for both teams, but our reigning European champions ultimately lost 1–0 to Spain, who were crowned world champions for the very first time. Sweden trailed in third and Australia fourth, while two-time defending champions USA were eliminated in the round of 16.

Now firmly the queens of Europe with a second trophy under their belt, we’re sure the Lionesses are feeling ferocious. Eyes on the prize: could the Lionesses now take their confidence to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup?

What’s The Background?

In May 2024, FIFA revealed Brazil would play host to the 2027 Women’s World Cup – beating out joint bids from the USA and Mexico, the Nordics and Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, as well as solo bids from Chile, Italy and South Africa.

The first Women’s World Cup to be held in South America, officially this is the Copa do Mundo Feminina da FIFA 2027, and it’ll take place across eight cities from 24 June to 25 July. Thirty-two teams are set to compete, and the tournament will open with the same group stage that debuted at the 2023 World Cup. Eight groups of four teams will compete in the group stage, with the top two teams from each progressing to the knockout tournament. These 16 teams will then be whittled down to the final two, who will battle it out for the trophy in the grand finale on 25 July 2027. In total, that’s 64 games to look forward to.

The eight cities hosting matches are Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, São Paulo, Salvador and Recife.

Who Will Compete?

So far, only the host nation Brazil is confirmed to compete. The coming years will see qualifications across FIFA’s continental championships, CONMEBOL, OFC and UEFA. Russia is still excluded from all FIFA and UEFA competitions amid the invasion of Ukraine, so will not be able to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Where To Watch

Good news: a deal between BBC Sport and ITV means the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup will air for free for UK fans. Games will be split across both broadcasters, with both airing the final on Sunday 25 July 2027.

‘Extending our partnership with FIFA alongside ITV ensures that the drama and spectacle of the Women’s World Cup remains free-to-air, continuing to inspire audiences across the UK, and bring in new fans of the game,’ says Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport.

And, as always, London’s very best sports bars and pubs will be screening the action.