With the summer international football calendar winding down, and major tournaments like the 2025 UEFA Women`s Euro, Women`s AFCON, and Copa América Femenina concluding, attention now turns to the impending 2027 FIFA Women`s World Cup. This premier women`s tournament is scheduled to be held in Brazil, and several nations have already secured their berths in the qualifying stages, which are slated to commence later this year and wrap up in 2026.
England solidified their dominance in Europe by winning their second consecutive Euro title in a thrilling comeback campaign throughout the 2025 tournament. Meanwhile, 2023 World Cup champions Spain had to settle for the runner-up position. The Euros delivered an abundance of goals in the group stage and intense drama in the knockouts, featuring extra-time matches and penalty shootouts, including the final, where Chloe Kelly scored the decisive penalty. The U.S. Women`s National Team (USWNT) concluded their summer earlier with an impressive five-game winning streak, securing victories against Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, and China.
While the United States, England, and Spain are widely expected to form a `big three` in global women`s football, the rankings remain open to challenges from other formidable teams. Nigeria, for instance, reasserted its status as Africa`s top team by clinching their 10th Women`s AFCON title against Morocco. Brazil, as the host nation, has automatically qualified for the 2027 World Cup, but they are still vying for another Copa América championship, with Uruguay, Colombia, and Argentina hoping to disrupt their pursuit.
With the 2027 World Cup still 23 months away, elite national teams are already deep into preparations for their journey to Brazil. But how do they stack up based on their current form and recent performances?
1. USWNT
The U.S. Women`s National Team (USWNT), recent gold medalists at the 2024 Olympics, has spent the first half of the year demonstrating the remarkable depth of its program. Head coach Emma Hayes has expertly expanded the player pool and refined the team`s identity, focusing on player development and long-term program objectives. The USWNT`s top finish in Paris has restored their global prominence, and under Hayes, they continue to set the standard for performance, attacking prowess, and tactical sophistication.
2. England
England`s ascent in women`s football history is undeniable. Achieving back-to-back Euro championships is an extraordinary feat for most teams, but the Lionesses have proven themselves capable. Under manager Sarina Wiegman, they displayed immense resilience, reminding us that glory often comes with a cost, exemplified by defender Lucy Bronze playing through a fractured tibia.
3. Spain
The 2023 World Cup champions finished as Euro runners-up, but despite the heartbreak of a penalty shootout, their technical brilliance was evident throughout their journey to the final. They will have another opportunity to make a statement in the upcoming UEFA Nations League. Their Euro performance reaffirmed their status as a world-class side. Their possession-based style, anchored by a midfield of maestros like Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas, and Patri Guijarro, ensures their continued elite status.
4. Brazil
The hosts of the 2027 World Cup are on an upward trajectory, highlighted by their silver medal finish at the 2024 Olympics. They inflicted one of only two losses on the USWNT this year and are currently dominating the Copa América. The team is building towards a home World Cup, with Marta`s enduring influence still a vital factor, inspiring a new generation. Manager Arthur Elias has successfully blended their signature flair with strong defensive efforts.
5. Germany
Germany faced numerous challenges during the Euros, yet their pedigree remains intact. They fought their way to the semifinals thanks to exceptional goalkeeping heroics from Ann-Katrin Berger, ultimately falling to eventual runners-up Spain. Even with Lena Oberdorf recovering from an ACL injury, players like Jule Brand, Klara Bühl, and Sjoeke Nüsken provide a strong foundation for the program`s future.
6. Sweden
Veteran Kosovare Asllani defended her squad against critics and oddsmakers who underestimated Sweden during the Euros. However, the team unfortunately squandered a two-goal lead in their quarterfinal against England, leaving them outside the top five in these rankings. Despite often being an obstacle in others` success stories rather than claiming a major trophy themselves, Sweden remains a formidable opponent and a consistent top-ten team, boasting significant talent in their pipeline with Rosa Kafaji and Hanna Bennison.
7. Japan
The Nadeshiko dealt an early loss to the USWNT and claimed the 2025 SheBelieves Cup earlier this year. Their disciplined technical play makes them a challenging opponent, and their shared attacking responsibility adds an unpredictable layer for defenders. They are expected to grow even stronger as they integrate more youth talent to complement their experienced veterans.
8. France
Head coach Laurent Bonadei made a bold statement with his Euro roster choices, omitting veterans Eugénie Le Sommer and Wendie Renard. Another quarterfinal exit for France will only intensify questions about the team`s performance in high-stakes tournaments. It`s difficult to completely discount a squad with exciting attacking talents like Delphine Cascarino, Marie Antoinette Katoto, and Sandy Baltimore, but consistent success against top teams in knockout rounds continues to elude them.
9. Nigeria
Despite facing issues with unpaid wages and limited resources, this group, which significantly troubled England during the 2023 World Cup, impressively returned to the top of the Women`s AFCON tournament this year. While official, governing body rankings might not feature an African nation in the top ten, these rankings differ. It would be impossible to exclude Africa`s powerhouse, the Super Falcons. They deserve recognition beyond just kit rankings, and after missing the Women`s AFCON title in 2022, they completed their `Mission X` to secure a tenth title. Imagine what talents like Rasheedat Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, and Jennifer Echegini could achieve with more comprehensive support.
10. Canada
This team is currently precariously placed at the bottom of the list. They maintain their spot due to individual brilliance from players who can single-handedly influence game outcomes, and the federation successfully hired a competent coach in Casey Stoney at the start of the year. However, the reality is that they have somewhat regressed since their 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medal triumph. Stoney openly addressed the program`s and players` shortcomings after their 2-0 loss against the USWNT in July, indicating that the roster requires more support to improve moving forward.
Honorable Mentions
- Italy: Under head coach Andrea Soncin, the Italian squad showed considerable evolution. They surpassed expectations during the Euro with a combination of tactical awareness and standout performances from key players, eventually exiting in the semifinals against eventual winners England. If they can address defensive lapses and further refine their tactics, they have the potential to break into the top ten.
- Colombia: Known as `Las Chicas Superpoderosas` (The Powerpuff Girls), this group is anything but an imitation; they have emerged as genuine continental forces in South America. They are currently challenging Brazil for the Copa América crown, and with talents like Chelsea FC`s Mayra Ramírez and Real Madrid`s Linda Caicedo, they could realistically vie for the title and climb into our rankings.
- Netherlands: The Dutch squad appears to be a fading shadow of their 2017 Euro championship-winning form. They struggled in their `group of death` draw at the Euro, and their early elimination means the federation must make the right coaching hire to address questions surrounding an aging squad and how to rejuvenate the team in preparation for the 2027 World Cup, a full decade after their historic Euro title run.
