World champions Spain and France booked their tickets for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil on Tuesday, but England missed out on automatic qualification despite beating Ukraine.
Spain defeated Iceland 6-1 in Reykjavik, with Vicky Lopez scoring twice. Edna Imade, Salma Paralluelo, Claudia Pina and Aitana Bonmati were also on target to take first place in qualifying group A3.
Melvine Malard scored the only goal for France in a 1–0 home win over Ireland on the final day of European qualifying to book his fifth consecutive World Cup qualification.
European champions England, who lost to Spain last week, finished second in their group despite a 3-0 win over Ukraine, and will have to get through the play-offs to earn their ticket to Brazil.
Linda Boama scored the only goal for Iceland, who are also going through the play-offs, after finishing third in the group, ahead of Ukraine.
Sarina Wiegman’s England needed group leader Spain to lose or draw in Iceland.
Only the top team from the qualifying group secured an automatic spot.
In Liverpool, defender Jess Carter put England clear before Georgia Stanway doubled the lead at half-time after the home side dominated in front of 26,065 fans at the Everton Stadium.
Ukraine fought back in the second half, but Beth Mead’s 40th goal for her country handed the visitors a sixth defeat from six qualifying matches.
In Grenoble, Les Bleues finished first in the A2 qualifying group, ahead of the Netherlands.
Malard struck just before half-time with a sumptuous acrobatic effort and the hosts held firm despite playing with ten women for the final 20 minutes after Thiniba Samoura was sent off for a second yellow card.
Published on June 10, 2026
