麻豆社

Women's World Cup 2023: What do the Home Nations need to qualify?

England celebratingImage source, Getty Images

Wales face the biggest game in their history as the Women's World Cup qualifiers come to an end tonight.

They need a point against Slovenia in Cardiff to guarantee them a play-off place for the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Wales' women have never qualified for a major tournament before.

Manager Gemma Grainger called it the "biggest game of our lives".

England booked their place at next year's World Cup after a 2-0 win against Austria on Saturday.

Scotland are already in the play-offs, but Northern Ireland can no longer qualify.

The top teams in each of the nine European qualifying groups will automatically go through to the 32-team event, while the nine runners-up will go on to advance to the play-offs.

Keep reading to find out more about tonight's final qualifying games.

Wales

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Could Wales qualify for their first major tournament?

So it all comes down to their final match, when Wales take on Slovenia tonight (7,45pm kick-off).

A record 10,000 crowd is expected at Cardiff City Stadium.

Wales only need a draw from their final group game to secure a World Cup play-off place.

Manager Gemma Grainger said: "We know the fans will play a huge part, I want Slovenia to feel like they're away from home, I want them to walk into our stadium and feel the same way it is with the men's national team because it's an incredible feeling."

Wales' top player Jess Whitlock has been carrying an injury and faces a late fitness test.

France have already qualified after winning all eight of their games.

England

Image source, PA Media
Image caption,

Alessia Russo scored England's first goal after seven minutes

Alessia Russo and substitute Nikita Parris scored against Austria on Saturday to help England seal top spot in Group D with a perfect record of nine wins from nine matches and a game to spare.

England have now qualified for the Women's World Cup six times.

They will complete their Group D qualifiers when they face Luxembourg in Stoke tonight (7.30pm kick-off).

Scotland

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Scotland are already guaranteed a play-off place for next year's World Cup

Scotland are currently second in Group B and have already secured a spot in the play-offs.

They will play the Faroe Islands in their final qualifier on Tuesday (6pm kick-off).

They may have already qualified for the play-offs, but results elsewhere will determine whether they face an extra round of one-off ties.

In the same group is Spain, who lost to England in the quarter-finals of Euro 2022. They automatically qualified after their 2-0 victory over Scotland in April.

Northern Ireland

They can no longer qualify for the World Cup as they travel to Latvia tonight (3pm kick-off).

Manager Kenny Shiels is set to give opportunities to younger players.