The race for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup is gathering pace, with 18 of the 32 places at the tournament now secured.

With qualification battles continuing across the world, five confederations have already produced their confirmed representatives, setting the stage for a highly competitive tournament in Brazil next year.

Africa sends four

Africa’s qualification campaign has produced four teams: Algeria, Cameroon, Malawi and Morocco.

Brazil will host the tournament, while Algeria, Cameroon, Malawi and Morocco have secured their places among the world’s elite.

Their qualification represents a major moment for women’s football on the continent.

Asia completes its allocation

Asia has filled all six of its available places.

Australia, China, Japan, North Korea, the Philippines and South Korea will represent the Asian Football Confederation at the tournament.

The Philippines’ qualification is particularly significant as the team continues to establish itself among Asia’s leading women’s football nations.

European giants qualify

Europe has so far confirmed four teams: Denmark, France, Germany and Spain.

The European qualification race, however, remains far from over, with seven additional places still to be decided.

France, Germany and Spain arrive with strong tournament pedigrees, while Denmark will be looking to make its mark on the global stage.

New Zealand leads Oceania

New Zealand has secured Oceania’s sole direct place.

The Football Ferns will once again carry the region’s hopes into the world’s biggest women’s football tournament.

South America makes its mark

South America has also completed its direct allocation, with Argentina, Brazil and Colombia qualifying.

Brazil automatically take their place as tournament hosts, while Argentina and Colombia have earned their spots through South America’s qualification process.

Brazil will now prepare to welcome the world’s best women’s teams for what promises to be a landmark tournament on home soil.

Fourteen places remain

With 18 teams qualified and 14 places still available, the final line-up is beginning to take shape.

Europe has seven places still to fill, while CONCACAF has four direct places available. A further three teams will earn their tickets through the inter-confederation playoff route.

For the teams still chasing qualification, the margin for error is shrinking.

The 2027 Women’s World Cup will bring together established powerhouses, emerging nations and debutants, with Brazil set to provide the stage for another chapter in the rapid growth of women’s football.

The qualified teams as listed by BBC Sport on Monday

Africa
Algeria
Cameroon
Malawi
Morocco

Asia (6)
Australia
China
Japan
North Korea
Philippines
South Korea

Europe (4)
Denmark
France
Germany
Spain

Oceania (1)
New Zealand

South America (3)
Argentina
Brazil (Hosts)
Colombia

A former non-league footballer, Ibrahim Thomas, whose career took him across dozens of clubs and several countries, has encouraged young players to embrace opportunities to play abroad, describing the experience as one of the most rewarding parts of his journey.

As reported by BBC Sport on Friday, Thomas, who represented clubs including Shaw Lane, Stafford Rangers, Frickley Athletic and Mickleover, spent the longest spell of his career during his second stint at Brighouse Town between 2020 and 2023.

Despite his extensive travels, he admits he has never kept track of the many destinations his football career has taken him.

“Not at all. There’s definitely been too many to count,” Thomas said.

The well-travelled defender reflected on a career that saw him play in England, Belgium, Canada and the United States.

While he acknowledged that some of his moves were motivated by better financial opportunities rather than career progression, he believes the experience of working under different coaches and adapting to different styles of football was invaluable.

“It’s been a good experience but it could have been better. I moved up or went sideways for more money,” he said.

“But playing in different countries was a great experience and I would encourage all young players to go and experience that if they get a chance.

“I worked under different coaches with different ideas and philosophies.”

Thomas also revealed that his career nearly came to an end in 2013 after a serious groin injury.

While working in a call centre in Rotherham, he even considered joining the army before receiving an opportunity to revive his playing career with Thunder Bay Chill in Ontario, Canada.

Earlier in his career at Stocksbridge Park Steels, Thomas played against Jamie Vardy during the striker’s time at Halifax Town, before Vardy went on to represent England and win the Premier League with Leicester City in the 2015-16 season.

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Several of football’s most accomplished coaches are reportedly available for new opportunities this summer, with former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola topping a list of high-profile names expected to attract interest from clubs and national teams.

Guardiola, regarded as one of the most successful managers of the modern era, leads the rankings after ending his trophy-laden spell at Manchester City. While the Spaniard is expected to take time away from management, he has already been linked with several high-profile vacancies across Europe and in international football.

Former Napoli, Chelsea and Juventus boss Antonio Conte is ranked second. The Italian, renowned for delivering immediate success wherever he has managed, remains one of the most sought-after coaches despite speculation linking him with a return to international management.

Didier Deschamps, who recently concluded his long tenure as France head coach, is third on the list. The World Cup-winning manager is expected to be a strong contender for any major coaching role should he decide to return to club football.

Dutch coach Arne Slot occupies fourth place, while former Flamengo manager Filipe Luis completes the top five after an impressive start to his coaching career that included multiple domestic and continental titles in Brazil.

Germany national team coach Julian Nagelsmann is ranked sixth despite mixed fortunes in recent international tournaments. Former Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is seventh after stepping away from the Premier League club, with ex-Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez eighth as he continues to weigh up his next move.

Former Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank is ninth, while Thiago Motta rounds off the top 10. Although his spell at Juventus ended disappointingly, the Italian is still regarded as one of Europe’s promising young coaches following his impressive work at Bologna.

With several major clubs expected to make managerial changes in the coming months, the availability of such experienced and accomplished coaches is likely to fuel speculation throughout the transfer window and beyond.

According to Planet Football on Friday, these are the 10 coaches listed as available this summer:

Pep Guardiola

Antonio Conte

Didier Deschamps

Arne Slot

Filipe Luís

Julian Nagelsmann

Eddie Howe

Xavi Hernández

Thomas Frank

Thiago Motta

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