Top four teams in Fifa rankings set to be kept apart until semi-finals at 2027 Women’s World Cup

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, the United States, Germany and England are currently ranked one to four in the world respectively, although the US and England still need to qualify for the tournament. The seedings will be based on 7 December’s 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…