All eleven nations are expected to enter qualification. The tournament will begin with a single-elimination knockout round among the four lowest-ranked teams in the FIFA Women's World Rankings. The winner will advance to join the seven highest-ranked teams in the second round of the tournament, which will be a group stage with two four-team groups with the top two from each group advancing to the third round. The third round will be played as a single-elimination knockout round with the winner qualifying for the 2027 World Cup and the runner-up advancing to the inter-confederation play-offs.[1]
The first round will take place in September 2025. The four lowest-ranked teams will compete in a knockout series, and the winner will advance to join the seven highest-ranked teams in the second round.