Way-too-early 2027 Women's World Cup preview: Brazil hosts, Spain defends its crown, the USWNT comes back for revenge

Sad that the 2026 World Cup is over? Disappointed that the United States men's national team didn't make it further? No sweat — we're less than one year out from the real American contenders taking the field. Next summer, the best teams in the world will travel to Brazil for the 2027 Women's World Cup, which will stretch from June 24 to July 25. For that glorious month, 32 squads will face off in eight cities across Brazil to eventually crown a champion. Though the USMNT wasn't able to make it far in the men's tournament, the U.S. women's national team enters next summer with lofty expectations — especially after the disappointing ending three years ago. Qualifiers for the tournament are underway, but 14 teams have already clinched their spot. The USWNT isn't on that list yet; they'll have to wait until the CONCACAF W Championship this fall, but can pave their way with just one win over El Salvador. Among the teams that have qualified are the reigning World Cup champions, Spain, and the host country, Brazil. There are so many teams, players and storylines to know about ahead of the excitement next summer. But for now, here's a little taste of what's to come, team by team. The defending champs: Spain Spain's men's team might've captured the 2026 title , but the women did it first. Three years ago, the Spanish women's national team lifted its first World Cup trophy after defeating England 1-0 . A lone goal from Olga Cardona was all they needed to defeat a hungry England side and achieve glory. It was a massive victory for a Spanish team that was only in its third Women's World Cup: Since appearing as a debutant in 2015, Spain advanced to its first knockout round in 2019 and then came back and won it all four years later. Women's soccer in Spain has not always had the most support, but the country's growing infrastructure over the last decade or so led to the peak of 2023. Now, heading into next summer, Spain has been the No. 1-ranked by FIFA for the past year and features some of the best players in the world, including multiple two-time Ballon d'Or winners, Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas. The hometown heroes: Brazil Brazil has been a key part of the World Cup since the very beginning, earning two medals across nine appearances in the competition. And next summer, it will get a chance to chase a trophy on home soil. The most notable player on the Brazilian team is Marta, a 40-year-old living legend who is one of the greatest soccer players of all time. The longtime Brazilian captain has been one of the driving forces of the team since making her international debut as a 16-year-old in 2002. She was there for Brazil's runner-up finish at the 2007 World Cup, its best-ever finish; she has three Olympic silver medals with the team. But the one thing Marta has been denied is a first-place finish in an international competition. Marta retired from international duty after the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Olympics — but then she changed her mind, and has continued to be with the team in the run-up to next summer. She will be a poetic presence as Brazil makes its way through the tournament — and, crucially, she's still got the juice. Beyond Marta, Brazil is chock-full of talented players like Amanda Gutierres, Debinha, Kerolin, and goalkeeper Lorena. With a raucous fanbase rooting them on at home, this opportunity feels primed for Brazil — and Marta — to finally bring home that trophy. The revenge tour: USWNT, England The USWNT has an incredibly storied history at the World Cup, lifting the trophy a record four times. Since the first version of the tournament in 1991, the U.S. has finished in the top three every time — except for 2023, when the team fell a millimeter short of advancing out of the Round of 16. England, meanwhile, was so close to achieving its first World Cup trophy, a long-awaited goal that fell apart in the 1-0 loss to Spain. England had made the semifinals in the two previous tournaments before finally making the final in 2023, only to fall just short of the finish line. In the years since, both teams have won key titles: The U.S. won gold at the 2024 Olympics , while England took home the 2025 Euro trophy — beating Spain, in an act of pure vengeance. The United States won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, in a triumphant return to the top. Brad Smith/ISI via Getty Images The U.S. in particular is in something of a renaissance in the Emma Hayes era, as the next generation of players grows and thrives on the global stage. Hayes, crucially, knows exactly what's at stake, and has planned well ahead to acclimate the team to what could be a pretty difficult away environment. The U.S. played two friendlies against the Brazilian team on their home turf last month — one narrow loss , and one wild, scrappy win (that's CONMEBOL, baby) — and will face Spain in a pair of heavyweight October friendlies . The mainstays: Japan, Sweden, Germany, Norway, Nigeria Since the initial 1991 World Cup, only seven countries have participated in every single version of the tournament: In addition to Brazil and the U.S., Japan, Germany, Sweden, Nigeria and Norway have been there since the beginning. Those mainstays decorate the all-time medal table: Germany has won it all twice and added a silver, Japan and Norway both have a gold and silver each. Sweden, who has become something of a nemesis for the USWNT after a series of high-stakes, often bitter meetings, has a whopping four bronzes on top of their 2003 silver (always the bridesmaids, Sweden). Nigeria is something of an exception: Despite being present at nine World Cups, its furthest finish was in the quarterfinals. However, the Super Falcons have a long history of success at the AFCON tournament, and will be hoping to turn the tide at the World Cup starting next summer. France, Canada, China and Denmark are other teams that have a long history of participation, and success, in the tournament. Three of those countries have already qualified for next summer; Canada, like the U.S., still has to compete in the CONCACAF qualification round to make it. Australia, a co-host in 2023 with New Zealand, is another mainstay. The Matildas took full advantage of hosting in 2023, riding the home crowd all the way to their first-ever semifinals appearance. Returning there might be a tall order, but they'll be led by veteran players like defender Steph Catley, goalkeeper MacKenzie Arnold and striker and captain Sam Kerr, a living legend in her own right. The rising stars: Colombia, North Korea Colombia was one of the most exciting teams to watch in 2023, with a young group of talented players taking the team to the quarterfinals for the first time in the country's history. Players like Linda Caicedo and Leicy Santos, who scored two of the best goals of the 2023 tournament, should be back next summer to showcase their skills and help Colombia get even further. ARE YOU SERIOUS LINDA CAICEDO?! 😱 What a goal for Colombia 🇨🇴🔥 pic.twitter.com/rR0absMYmt — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 30, 2023 AN ABSOLUTE BEAUTY FROM LEICY SANTOS 🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/ktL77HpNwh — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 12, 2023 Lastly, keep an eye out for North Korea, which is returning to the tournament for the first time since 2011. North Korea's youth national teams have had a surprisingly prolific run of success, winning the past two U-17 championships in a row as well as the most recent U-20 tournament. As of July, North Korea's senior team is No. 11 in the FIFA rankings .