Scotland handed tricky path to Women's World Cup after playoff draw - here's when the games will be played
Scotland have discovered their opponents for the Women’s World Cup playoffs. Here’s when the games will take place.
Scotland have been handed a tricky path to the Women’s World Cup as they continue their quest to qualify for next summer’s tournament in Brazil.
After beginning their qualification campaign with a thumping 5-0 away win over Luxembourg, Scotland went unbeaten in their six qualification games, finishing top of the pile on 14 points, edging out Belgium into second place thanks to their superior goal difference to secure a seeded spot in the first round of the Women’s World Cup playoffs.
And now they have discovered their route to the tournament after being drawn against Czechia in round one. Ranked 33rd in the FIFA Women’s rankings, the draw is a tough one for Scotland, who are ranked just seven places higher than their opponents.
However, should head coach Melissa Andreatta lead her team through the opening round of the playoffs, they are set to face an even tougher task, with the winner of Czechia vs Scotland drawn to face one of Lithuania or Sweden in the final playoff round - the latter viewed as one of women’s football powerhouses, and ranked eighth in the FIFA world rankings.
Having missed out on the last three major tournaments, Scotland will be desperate to qualify for the World Cup next summer as they look to recapture the excitement generated by their participation of the Women’s World Cup in France 2019. The 10th edition of the tournament will take place in Brazil next July.
When will Scotland play their Women’s World Cup playoff
Playoff first leg: Czechia vs Scotland
Playoff second leg: Scotland vs Czechia
The first round playoffs will take place in the week of 7–13 October 2026. Should Scotland win their first round play off, the second round of the Women’s World Cup playoffs will take place in the week of 23 November - December 5.
Where will Scotland Women play their Women’s World Cup playoff
While it has not yet been confirmed, the women’s national team have almost exclusively played their home games at Hampden Park since 2021. However, they have also played recent fixtures at the Wyre Stadium in Glasgow, and Easter Road in Edinburgh. The venue for the game will be announced in due course.
Will Scotland qualify if they win their Women’s World Cup round one playoff
No. Scotland will qualify for round two of the Women’s World Cup playoffs if they defeat Czechia over two legs. They will face the winner of Lithuania vs Sweden in round two of the playoffs and this tie will also be played over two legs. However, should they win both their round one and round two playoffs, it is still not guaranteed that they’ll have booked their place at the tournament.
Should Scotland win both playoff rounds, but be the lowest-ranked of the eight European teams who come through the play-offs, then they will be forced to go into inter-confederation playoffs, which take place in February 2027. If they are not the lowest ranked side, they will qualify automatically be winning both playoff rounds.
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