Malta drawn with Switzerland, N. Ireland and Turkey in 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers

The Malta women’s national team has been drawn against Switzerland, Northern Ireland, and Türkiye in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

Drawn from Pot 4, Malta will compete in League B, Group 2, following their promotion from League C in the UEFA Women’s Nations League earlier this year.

The draw will determine the groups across all three leagues, which will run between February/March and June 2026.

These groups will decide four of UEFA’s qualification spots for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, as well as the 32 teams that will advance to the play-offs between October and December 2026.

The play-offs will award seven additional direct qualification spots and one place in the inter-confederation play-offs.

Promotion and relegation ahead of the next edition of the UEFA Women’s Nations League will also be at stake.

Switzerland (ranked 24th) start as favourites to top the group. Earlier on Tuesday, they terminated the contract of coach Pia Sundhage, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, as coach of the United States women’s team. The Swiss hosted last summer’s European Championships.

Malta (ranked 88th) and Switzerland last met during the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

Northern Ireland (ranked 44th) and Malta recently faced each other in the 2025 UEFA Women’s Euro qualifiers, also in League B.

Meanwhile, Malta and Türkiye (ranked 58) met in a double-header friendly back in 2020, having previously clashed during the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

“It could have been better but it could have been worse,” Malta coach Manuela Tesse told the Malta FA website.

“We knew that when you go up the level you will face strong teams. We will prepare the best way possible. We were already in League B before so we can use that experience and take it to the pitch.”

Haley Bugeja injury

Malta will be hoping to have forward Haley Bugeja back by the first matchday after she sustained an injury during Inter’s last Sunday outing in the Serie A Femminile.

Bugeja was forced off in the second half after appearing to suffer a serious knee injury against Roma.

Following medical examinations, Inter confirmed that tests revealed a low-grade involvement of the medial collateral ligament.

As a result, Bugeja is expected to be sidelined for at least four weeks, potentially ruling her out of Malta’s upcoming friendlies against Croatia, who will play in League C, between November 28 and December 1.

FIXTURE – DATES

The Women’s European Qualifiers league stage will be played, in principle, on the following dates in 2026:

Matchday 1: Tuesday, March 3.
Matchday 2: Saturday, March 7.
Matchday 3: Tuesday, April 14.
Matchday 4: Saturday, April 18.
Matchday 5: Friday, June 5.
Matchday 6: Tuesday, June 9.

The order of fixtures, along with the opponents and venues, will be released between Tuesday and Wednesday.

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QUALIFICATIONS – EXPLAINER

Round 1 of the play-offs involving League B teams is played as follows:

The four fourth-placed teams of League A and four first-placed teams of League B play against the four second-placed teams and four third-placed teams of League B.

In round 1 of the play-offs, the ties are determined by means of a draw.

The winners of the round 1 play-offs qualify for the round 2 play-offs and the ties are determined by means of a draw.

The seven best-ranked round 2 play-off winners according to the 2026 Women’s European Qualifiers overall league rankings qualify directly for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The one remaining round 2 play-off winner qualifies for the FIFA Women’s World Cup intercontinental play-offs.

The four group winners in League B and the six group winners in League C will be promoted.

The four fourth-placed teams in Leagues A and B as well as the two lowest-ranked third-placed teams in League B, ranked 27 to 28 in the overall league rankings, will be relegated.