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, USA, Germany and England are ranked one to four in the world respectively, although USA and England still need to qualify for the tournament. The seedings will be based on the 7 December updated rankings, meaning the standings could change before the draw, which will take place on 11 December in Rio de Janeiro.
The top four sides were also separated until the semi-finals of the 2026 men's World Cup, which consisted of 48 teams, but it was not announced until Wednesday that the same rule would apply to the 32-team women's tournament. In the men's World Cup the top four – Spain, Argentina, France, and England – all reached the semi-finals.
The record four-time champions USA face El Salvador on 27 November as they aim to confirm their place at the tournament next summer. A victory, coupled with no changes to the world rankings, would ensure USA would be placed in the opposite half of the draw to the defending champions, Spain. That would mean if they win their groups the two teams could not meet until the final, which will be played at the Maracanã Stadium on 25 July. Neither Spain nor USA finished top of their group at the previous World Cup.
England, the 2023 runners-up, must beat Ukraine over two legs on 1 and 5 December to ensure their qualification. The European champions hold a 31-point advantage over fifth-placed Japan in the world rankings before the upcoming round of internationals.
France, the hosts Brazil and Sweden – who finished third at three of the past four World Cups, and face Scotland in their qualifying playoff in December – would complete the set of eight Pot 1 seeds for the eight groups, if the top eight remains as it is. Canada, ranked ninth in the world, could pounce on a Pot 1 spot if anyone slips up.
Fifa has also confirmed that the draw will take place at 1.30pm local time (11.30am EST/4.30pm GMT) on 11 December, at Rio de Janeiro's Museum of Modern Art. Brazil, as hosts, will be placed in Group A and will contest the opening match at the Maracanã on 24 June.
After the eight Pot 1 sides, the next eight highest-ranked teams involved will be in Pot 2, with the next eight below them in Pot 3. Pot 4 will include three places for the winners of the inter-confederation playoff tournament that will conclude in March, along with the lowest-ranked sides involved. No group will be permitted to include more than one team from the same continent, except for European teams, of whom there can be a maximum of two per group.
Fifa also confirmed later on Wednesday that the uncontested bids to host the 2031 and 2035 Women's World Cups have both passed their extensive bid evaluations.
The US, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica are bidding to jointly host the 2031 event and they received an overall score of 4.4 out of 5. The UK is the sole bidder for 2035 and the bid – which includes a proposal for Wembley to host the final – received a score of 4.3 out of 5.
No venue has yet been specified to stage the 2031 final. Both bids' infrastructure, stadiums and accommodation were praised by Fifa. Fifa's congress is expected to formally appoint them as hosts on 23 November.