Top four teams in Fifa rankings set to be kept apart until semi-finals at 2027 Women’s World Cup

Team must win World Cup group to trigger rule
Spain, US, Germany and England currently in top four

The top four-ranked teams will be separated until the semi-finals at the 2027 Women’s World Cup, provided they each win their group, after a change to the tournament’s draw procedure was confirmed by Fifa.

Spain, the United States, Germany and England are currently ranked one to four in the world respectively, although the US and England still need to qualify for the tournament. The seedings will be based on 7 December’s updated rankings, meaning the standings could change before the draw, which will take place on 11 December in Rio de Janeiro.