• Team must win World Cup group to trigger rule

• Spain, US, Germany and England currently in top four

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 tournament. In the men’s World Cup the top four – Spain, Argentina, France and England – all reached the semi-finals.

Record four-time champions the US face El Salvador on 27 November as they bid to confirm their place at next summer’s tournament. A victory, coupled with no changes to the world rankings, would ensure the Americans would be placed in the opposite half of the draw to the defending champions, Spain. That would mean if they win their groups the two teams could not meet until the final, which will be played at the Maracanã Stadium on 25 July. Neither Spain nor the US finished top of their group at the last World Cup.

England, the 2023 runners-up, must beat Ukraine over two legs on 1 and 5 December to ensure their qualification. The European champions hold a healthy 31-point advantage over fifth-placed Japan in the world rankings before the upcoming round of internationals.

France, the hosts Brazil and Sweden – who finished third at three of the past four World Cups, and face Scotland in their qualifying playoff in December – would complete the set of eight Pot 1 seeds for the eight groups, if the current top eight remains as it is. Canada, ranked ninth in the world, could pounce on a Pot 1 spot if anyone slips up.

Fifa have also confirmed that the draw will take place at 1.30pm local time (11.30am EST/4.30pm GMT) on 11 December, at Rio de Janeiro’s Museum of Modern Art. Brazil, as hosts, will be placed into Group A and will contest the opening match at the Maracanã on 24 June.

After the eight Pot 1 sides, the next eight highest-ranked teams involved will be in Pot 2, with the next eight below them in Pot 3. Pot 4 will include three places for the winners of the inter-confederation playoff tournament that will conclude in March, along with the lowest-ranked sides involved.

No group will be permitted to include more than one team from the same continent, except for European teams, of whom there can be a maximum of two per group.