Denmark, France and Spain earn automatic qualification
UEFA qualifying for the came to a thrilling close on matchday six, with Denmark, France and reigning champions Spain joining Germany in automatic qualification for the tournament.
The Danes were convincing 4-1 winners over Serbia, while Germany defeated Slovenia 2-0. Elsewhere France earned a narrow 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland and Spain dispatched Iceland 6-1.
In other results, Italy were held 2-2 by Sweden and Norway finished on a high with a victory over Austria. England were 3-0 winners over Ukraine, while the Netherlands overcame Poland 3-1.
The teams who have qualified for the play-offs include Austria, England, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Republic of Ireland, Serbia, Slovenia and Sweden.
Only the group winners in League A will qualify for the global finals in this first phase of qualifying. Between October and December 2026, 32 teams will compete in the play-offs for seven more direct World Cup tickets, with another team hoping to qualify in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.
Serbia goal: Poljak (15) Denmark goals: Harder (8, 40), Vangsgaard (14, 42)
Denmark earned automatic qualification as group winners after they cruised to victory over Serbia at the SportCenter of FA Serbia. Three goals in the opening 15 minutes saw the Danes take a 2-1 lead. Cecilie Floe poked a loose ball over the line from close range to open the scoring before Amalie Vangsgaard gave the away side a healthy 2-0 lead with a well-placed header after a cross from Sofie Svava.
Allegra Poljak pulled a goal back for Serbia with a deflected shot that left Danish goalkeeper Freja Thisgaard helpless. Danish striker Pernille Harder restored Denmark's two-goal advantage from the spot, before Amalie Vangsgaard struck just two minutes later with a superb curling shot into the far corner to give the Danes a commanding three-goal lead at half-time.
Neither side could add to the scoreline in the second period with Denmark running out decisive winners and qualifying for their second consecutive World Cup. The defeat leaves Serbia bottom of the group and relegated to League B.
Sweden goals: Lundkvist (70), Rolfo (73) Italy goals: Oliviero (36), Piemonte (45)
It was dominant first-half display from Italy and it paid off for the Azzurre ten minutes before the break when defender Elisabetta Oliviero fired in off of the crossbar to give the Italians the lead in Gothenburg. Martina Piemonte added to the scoresheet with a header seconds before the half-time whistle blew to give Italy a two-goal lead.
Sweden staged a second-half comeback at Gamla Ullevi, first through a strike from Hanna Lundkvist to halve the deficit. Forward Fridolina Rolfo then got her name on the scoresheet to equalise for Sweden when she fired the ball high into the net from close range after a corner kick was parried into her path by Laura Giuliani.
The match ended in a draw with Italy finishing second and Sweden ending the group stage in third spot, confirming a play-off place.
France punched their ticket as group winners after their narrow victory over the Republic of Ireland.
Just as the game looked to going in goalless at the break France stepped up to take the lead at the Stade des Alpes. Striker Melvine Malard was on hand to give the home side the breakthrough before the half-time whistle blew. It was her second goal in two games against the Irish.
France were reduced to ten players in the second half after Thiniba Samoura was shown a second yellow card for a pull on Emily Murphy. France held on despite being a player short to top the group and take their place in the Women's World Cup as winners. Meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland will contest a play-off after finishing third.
Netherlands goals: Kaptein (24), Leuchter (61), Rijsbergen (81) Poland goal: Kamczyk (83)
The Netherlands finished second in the group after a convincing win over Poland at home. The Dutch went in front midway through the first half through midfielder Wieke Kaptein. PSG striker Romee Leuchter doubled the Netherlands' lead after the break. Liz Rijsbergen added to the home side's tally before Poland pulled a goal back from the penalty spot through Ewelina Kamczyk.
The Netherlands finished in second spot and will go into the play-offs for a place at the World Cup. Poland ended the group stage of the campaign bottom of the table and are relegated to League B.
England goals: Carter (14), Stanway (37), Mead (67)
England, who were runners-up at Australia/New Zealand 2023, will go into the play-offs after finishing second in the group after a dominant win over Ukraine.
The Lionesses opened the scoring in the first half in Liverpool through defender Jess Carter after she met a dangerous cross from Lauren James at the back post to put England in front. Georgia Stanway put England in complete control before the break after she found herself on the end of a square ball from Alessia Russo.
England substitute Beth Mead gave Sarina Wiegman's side a convincing lead when she scored from a brilliant free-kick moments after entering the field. Ukraine, meanwhile, finished bottom and will be relegated to Group B.
Spain goals: Lopez (5, 50), Imade (37), Paralluelo (45), Pina (68), Bonmati (83) Iceland goal: Boama (58)
Spain demolished Iceland to book their spot at the World Cup over group rivals England.
They took the lead against Iceland early in the first half — midfielder Vicky Lopez found the far corner after slick passing play from the away side in Reykjavik to put her side in command. Striker Edna Imade put the Spanish firmly in control of the match with her side's second. Salma Paralluelo added to the tally moments before half-time.
Vicky Lopez kicked off the second half with a second goal for Spain, before Iceland pulled one back just moments later through Linda Lif Boama. Claudia Pina was on hand to score Spain's fifth goal and Aitana Bonmati put the icing on the cake with the sixth.
Germany goals: Prasnikar (40 own goal), Martinez (50)
Germany had secured qualification on matchday five with a victory over Norway, but Christian Wuck's side didn't take their foot off of the gas in their final group stage game against Slovenia. It took the unbeaten Germans until five minutes from half-time to make the decisive breakthrough, and it came in the form of an own goal from Lara Prasnikar.
The away side led at the break, and they were quick to add to that lead just five minutes after the restart through attacker Shekiera Martinez, who scored her maiden national team goal. The defeat sees Slovenia relegated to League B.
Norway goals: Bjelde (46), Graham Hansen (48) Austria goal: Dunst (51)
Norway's victory over Austria cemented second spot behind winners Germany. It was an even opening 45 minutes in Oslo as the two sides battled it out with neither able to break the deadlock.
Norway burst into life in the second period, taking the lead through a header from midfielder Thea Bjelde just one minute after the restart. The home side then doubled their advantage two minutes later through a second headed goal from striker Caroline Graham Hansen.
Austria responded quickly with a goal from Barbara Dunst to halve Norway's lead. Norway had the chance to restore their two-goal lead from the penalty spot after a handball, but Graham Hansen failed to convert.
A third goal wasn't required in the end as the final whistle blew, with Austria defeated and finishing in third place in the group, avoiding relegation. Norway will enter the autumn play-offs.
Sources: FIFA Official
