While England are preparing for those play-off ties, though, Spain, the reigning world champions and one of the Lionesses’ biggest rivals for the trophy, will be lining up games against the best international sides in the game and worldly opposition, to get ready for some of the more unfamiliar teams the World Cup is likely to pit them against.
Japan, who sealed their place at the tournament by winning the Asian Cup in Marchwill be doing similar, as will Germany, after victory over Norway crowned them as group winners on Friday night, and likely France, who are in pole position to top Group A2 ahead of Tuesday’s games. Meanwhile, the United States have been in that phase for several months now, with games played against Japan, Colombia, Brazil, the Netherlands and many more since their Olympic triumph in the summer of 2024.
England, then, are at a disadvantage right now when compared to many of the other main contenders for that World Cup trophy. It’s up to the Lionesses to make the best out of a situation that is not ideal and to ensure they get everything out of, first, the play-offs and, then, the first few months of next year, when they will get their chance to start cherry-picking opponents.
For now, focus will be on Ukraine on Tuesday and producing a response to Friday’s defeat. There’s still a chance of automatic qualification, but it is very small. Instead, the priority must be on putting things right and going into the play-offs in a good place, ready to navigate a different path in the best way possible and prove that, despite this low, England remain serious contenders for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
