By OkayGoal
With Brazil 2027 approaching, the USWNT, Spain, England, and host nation Brazil are emerging as teams to watch. But which one has the best shot at lifting the trophy?
The 2023 Women’s World Cup final delivered one of the most unforgettable moments in women’s soccer history.
In the 29th minute, Spain’s Olga Carmona sent a low, left-footed shot past England goalkeeper Mary Earps, scoring what would become the winning goal in Spain’s first-ever World Cup triumph. Carmona celebrated by revealing a tribute to her best friend’s late mother, unaware that her own father had passed away before the match.
Spain’s 1-0 victory marked a changing of the guard in women’s international soccer. A country that had never reached a Women’s World Cup final was suddenly on top of the world.
Two years later, England had its opportunity for redemption.
The Lionesses faced Spain again in the 2025 Women’s Euro final, where Mariona Caldentey’s first-half header gave Spain the advantage. But Alessia Russo equalized in the second half, forcing extra time and eventually a penalty shootout.
Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton delivered two crucial saves, and Chloe Kelly converted the decisive penalty to give England a 3-1 shootout victory. The Lionesses had successfully defended their European title, adding another chapter to one of the sport’s most compelling international rivalries.
Now, with the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil less than a year away, the conversation is shifting toward the next generation of contenders.
Can Emma Hayes lead the USWNT back to the top? Will Spain defend its title? Can England finally capture its first Women’s World Cup? And what would it mean for Brazil to win on home soil?
Here’s an early look at four teams that could shape the race for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
USA: Can Emma Hayes Bring the World Cup Trophy Back Home?
The USWNT has spent the past two years looking toward the future.
After its disappointing round-of-16 exit at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the earliest elimination in program history, the Americans began a new chapter under Emma Hayes. Olympic gold in Paris in 2024 was an important first step, but Hayes has made it clear that building a team capable of sustained success requires more than one tournament victory.
Throughout 2025, Hayes gave opportunities to 43 players, expanding the player pool and creating competition across nearly every position.
And when Trinity Rodman, Sophia Wilson, and Mallory Swanson are healthy and available together, the USWNT possesses one of the most dangerous attacking combinations in the world.
But injuries remain a significant concern.
Emily Sonnett, Olivia Moultrie, and Catarina Macario have all faced serious setbacks, raising questions about the team’s depth and continuity heading toward Brazil.
Still, the Americans remain among the leading contenders. Early odds from Lucky Rebel Sportsbook place the USWNT at +350, slightly ahead of Spain.
That confidence reflects both the talent available to Hayes and the depth she has worked to develop. The challenge now is turning a promising collection of players into a cohesive team capable of winning seven matches on the world’s biggest stage.
For the USWNT, anything less than a serious run at a fifth World Cup title will feel like unfinished business.
Spain: The Defending Champions Still Have Something to Prove
Spain enters the road to Brazil with something no other team can claim: the opportunity to defend its Women’s World Cup title.
And despite the disappointment of losing the 2025 Euro final to England, La Roja remains one of the most technically gifted teams in international soccer.
At the center of Spain’s success has been Aitana Bonmatí, whose extraordinary vision, creativity, and control have helped define an era for both club and country.
But Bonmatí’s recovery from a serious leg injury has introduced uncertainty into Spain’s preparations.
The encouraging news for Spain is that its talent extends well beyond one player.
Alexia Putellas, Patri Guijarro, and Clàudia Pina are among the stars capable of influencing matches at the highest level. Spain’s ability to control possession, dictate tempo, and create scoring opportunities makes it a difficult opponent regardless of the lineup.
The defending champions are currently listed at +400, placing them just behind the United States among the early favorites.
The biggest question may not be whether Spain has enough talent. It’s whether the team can arrive in Brazil healthy, confident, and prepared to handle the pressure of defending a world title.
If it does, Spain could be the team everyone else has to beat.
Brazil: Home-Field Advantage and a Chance to Make History
Few teams will enter the 2027 Women’s World Cup with more emotion surrounding them than Brazil.
For a country with such a rich soccer tradition, the women’s national team has experienced its share of heartbreak on the international stage. Despite producing some of the greatest players in history, Brazil has never won the Women’s World Cup.
Hosting the tournament presents an extraordinary opportunity to change that.
Under head coach Arthur Elias, Brazil has shown signs of a promising new era, building on its silver-medal finish at the 2024 Paris Olympics and its Copa América Femenina title in 2025.
Players such as Kerolin, Bia Zaneratto, and Dudinha represent the talent and attacking potential that make Brazil so exciting to watch.
But consistency remains a challenge. Impressive performances against elite opponents have been accompanied by frustrating results, and injuries have complicated the team’s preparations.
Then there’s Marta.
One of the greatest players the sport has ever seen, Marta has already given Brazil more than two decades of unforgettable moments. Whether she will be part of the 2027 squad remains uncertain, but the possibility of seeing her compete in a World Cup on home soil adds another layer to an already remarkable story.
For Brazil, this tournament represents far more than home-field advantage.
It’s an opportunity to inspire another generation of girls, celebrate the growth of women’s soccer across the country, and perhaps finally capture the one trophy that has remained out of reach.
England: Can the European Champions Finally Conquer the World?
England knows how to win major tournaments.
Under Sarina Wiegman, the Lionesses have captured consecutive European Championships, establishing themselves as one of the most resilient teams in international soccer.
Their dramatic victory over Spain in the 2025 Euro final demonstrated exactly what makes England so dangerous: composure under pressure, experienced leadership, and an ability to find a way through difficult matches.
With players such as Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly, and Keira Walsh, England has the quality to compete with anyone.
But the road to Brazil has not been entirely smooth.
Injuries have disrupted the squad, particularly in midfield, while inconsistent performances have raised questions about how England will navigate the next phase of World Cup qualification.
Wiegman has also continued introducing younger players into the national team picture, balancing the experience of her established stars with the need to develop the next generation.
England’s early odds of +800 place the Lionesses behind the United States and Spain, but tournament experience should never be underestimated.
If England can navigate qualification and arrive in Brazil with a healthy squad, it has every reason to believe a first Women’s World Cup title is within reach.
The Road to Brazil Is Just Getting Started
The 2027 Women’s World Cup is already shaping up to be one of the most exciting tournaments in women’s soccer history.
The United States is determined to reclaim its place at the top. Spain wants to prove its 2023 triumph was the beginning of an era. England is chasing the one major international trophy that has eluded it. And Brazil has the opportunity to make history in front of its own fans.
There are still injuries to overcome, squads to finalize, and plenty of international matches to play before the opening whistle.
And if recent major tournaments have taught us anything, it’s that favorites don’t always finish on top.
That’s what makes the road to Brazil so compelling.