Underdogs Shake Up Women's World Cup 2027 Qualifying
ZURICH (October 12, 2026). Women's World Cup 2027 qualifying delivered its most dramatic weekend yet, as smaller nations toppled traditional powers across three continents and threw several groups wide open with the tournament in Brazil less than a year away.
The headline result came in Europe, where Portugal defeated reigning European champion England 2-1 in Lisbon on Friday night, ending England's 31-match unbeaten run in qualifying. A 78th-minute header from 21-year-old striker Ines Carvalho, her first international goal, sealed a victory that sent the home crowd into delirium and dropped England to second place in Group C.
"It is the biggest night in the history of Portuguese women's football," said Portugal coach Filipa Santos. "We believed, and tonight belief was enough."
England manager Sarina Cole was blunt in defeat. "We were not good enough in either box," she said. "Qualifying is not a formality. We have work to do."
Shocks in Africa and Asia
The upsets were not confined to Europe. In African qualifying, Zambia beat Nigeria 1-0 in Lusaka, a result that ended the Super Falcons' 14-year unbeaten home-and-away run against African opposition in World Cup qualifying. The Copper Queens defended resolutely after a first-half goal from Racheal Kundananji and held on through nine minutes of stoppage time.
In Asia, the Philippines continued their remarkable rise with a 2-2 draw against Japan in Manila, twice coming from behind against a team ranked 28 places above them. The result keeps the Philippines top of their group with two matches remaining.
South Korea's 3-0 loss to Australia in Sydney was less of a shock on paper, but the margin stunned observers and put Australia in firm control of their group. Matildas forward Caitlin Foord scored twice in a first-half blitz that effectively ended the contest by halftime.
The race tightens
With the expanded 32-team field, qualifying was supposed to be straightforward for the established powers. Instead, the weekend's results have left several groups delicately poised heading into the November international window.
In Europe, England now trail Portugal by two points with two games to play, and only the group winners qualify automatically. In Africa, Zambia's win puts them level on points with Nigeria at the top of their group. In Asia, Japan's dropped points mean the final matchday will decide the group.
FIFA's chief women's football officer, Sarai Bareman, said the parity was exactly what the sport's growth strategy envisioned. "Ten years ago, these results would have been unthinkable," she said. "Investment in the women's game is paying off everywhere, not just in the traditional strongholds."
The upsets also carry commercial weight. Portugal's win drew the largest television audience ever for a women's match in the country, and Zambia's victory set a national attendance record for a women's game at 41,000.
Qualifying resumes November 26, with the intercontinental playoffs scheduled for February. The World Cup draw takes place in Rio de Janeiro in March, and the tournament opens June 24, 2027, at the Maracana.