Although the 2027 Women`s World Cup is still a couple of years away, national teams worldwide are already focusing on preparations to ensure a formidable performance in Brazil.
This proactive approach is particularly evident within the U.S. Women`s National Team (USWNT), which has utilized its break from major tournaments this year to identify emerging talent and explore innovative tactical strategies, aiming for a World Cup victory. As four-time world champions, and having recently claimed Olympic gold in Paris and reclaimed the top spot in FIFA rankings, the USWNT remains a leading favorite for the sport`s ultimate honor. The ongoing period of tactical and roster experimentation under head coach Emma Hayes has only solidified this confidence, with numerous new players impressing and making strong bids for a spot on the 2027 World Cup squad.
Coach Hayes` primary mission involves evolving the USWNT amidst the rapid global expansion and increasing competitiveness of women`s football. The 2023 World Cup and, to a lesser extent, the 2025 Women`s Euro, clearly illustrated the heightened level of competition, with multiple teams emerging as genuine contenders for the 2027 World Cup title. While the USWNT undoubtedly belongs to an elite group in this quadrennial cycle, they are far from the only formidable force. England`s recent triumph over Spain in the Women`s Euro final underscores this point, and strong arguments can be made for other teams worldwide.
As the countdown to the 2027 Women`s World Cup officially begins, let`s explore the national teams poised to challenge the USWNT for the coveted title.
England
As consecutive European champions, England`s presence on this list is undeniable, but their status as a genuine global contender has solidified under Sarina Wiegman since she took charge after the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The Lionesses boast a wealth of talent, including key players like Alessia Russo and Lauren James, alongside rising star Michelle Agyemang. Wiegman has established herself as a master of major tournaments, guiding her teams to five of the last six major finals she has participated in, demonstrating remarkable adaptability in securing victories. This includes their resilient, often pragmatic, approach at this summer`s Euro, particularly against Spain in the final, complemented by an impressive ability to stage comebacks in three of their six matches in Switzerland. This combination of tangible skill and intangible grit positions them as a formidable contender for their first World Cup title in 2027.
Spain
Completing the trio of elite teams, alongside the USWNT and England, is Spain, the current World Cup holders. While their recent loss in Switzerland might seem like a setback for La Roja, it does not detract from their standing as one of the world`s premier footballing nations. Their distinctive possession-based style is not only captivating to watch but also highly effective, enabling them to comfortably reach the Euro semifinals before facing tougher challenges. The Euro campaign will undoubtedly provide valuable lessons, particularly regarding strategies against defensively disciplined opponents, but these are surmountable hurdles. Given their robust foundation, Spain could very well enter the Brazil tournament as favorites to retain their World Cup crown in 2027.
Germany
The two-time World Cup champions, Germany, are expected to arrive in Brazil with a strong desire for redemption after their surprising group stage exit in the 2023 tournament. Their recent form provides a solid foundation for this ambition: they secured a bronze medal in Paris last year and impressively reached the semifinals of this summer`s Euro, a feat made even more remarkable by the significant injury and suspension challenges they faced in Switzerland. Their deep run in the Women`s Euro powerfully demonstrates Germany`s competitive strength, and if they can field a full-strength squad at the World Cup, they will be strong contenders to clinch their first title since 2007.
Brazil
While home-field advantage offers a significant boost, Brazil`s inherent potential as a host nation far surpasses that of an average team. Similar to Emma Hayes` work with the USWNT, head coach Arthur Elias is cultivating a new generation of Brazilian talent, a process already yielding results, including an Olympic medal. Although their primary preparation will involve friendly matches, Brazil has already secured a notable 2-1 victory over the USWNT in April. Should they continue to achieve impressive results and potentially secure a fifth consecutive Copa América Femenina title this summer, they will undoubtedly be a team to watch closely in 2027.
