Women's World Cup qualifiers: What do the home nations need to qualify?

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Leah Williamson, Jess Fishlock and Caroline WeirImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Leah Williamson, Jess Fishlock and Caroline Weir

Qualifying for next year's Women's World Cup is nearing its conclusion for European teams - so where do the home nations stand?

England have booked their place in the tournament with a game to spare while Scotland and Wales remain in contention for a place in Australia and New Zealand, but Northern Ireland can no longer qualify.

The top teams in each of the nine European qualifying groups automatically qualify for the 32-team event, while the nine runners-up will advance to the play-offs.

The play-off draw will take on place on Friday, 9 September with games being played in October.

Here's everything you need to know.

Scotland look to play-offs

*Spain have qualified, Scotland have claimed second place

Scotland have already secured a spot in the play-offs courtesy of Ukraine's 2-0 victory over Hungary two months ago.

That win came four days after Scotland ended the hopes of Ukraine - whose games had been postponed until June because of Russia's invasion of their country - with a 4-0 triumph in Poland.

Pedro Martinez Losa's side will take on the Faroe Islands in their final qualifier on Tuesday knowing they cannot be caught in second place with a three-point advantage. Scotland will take part in the play-offs in October.

Spain, who lost to England in the quarter-finals of Euro 2022, sealed automatic qualification with their 2-0 victory over Scotland in April.

England book place at Women's World Cup

*England have qualified, Austria are guaranteed a play-off spot

England have a perfect record of nine wins from nine and have qualified automatically with a game to spare after defeating Austria 2-0 in Vienna on Saturday.

The Lionesses, who were crowned European champions for the first time in July, will face Luxembourg, who they defeated 10-0 last September, on Tuesday knowing they are already heading for Australia and New Zealand next year.

Austria are guaranteed to claim a play-off spot.

Northern Ireland, who beat Luxembourg 2-1 and will play Latvia in their final game, could finish level on points with Austria in second, but the Austrians' superior head-to-head record means Kenny Shiels' side cannot finish above them.

Media caption,

Russo hopes England's Euro win legacy will last

Wales' fate in their own hands

*France have qualified

Wales need just one point from their final qualifier match to reach the play-offs for the first time.

Gemma Grainger's side, who are targeting their first major tournament appearance, beat Greece 1-0 in Volos on Friday to set up a final match showdown against direct rivals Slovenia in Cardiff on Tuesday.

Runaway leaders France, who have won all nine of their games, secured their place at next year's World Cup with a 1-0 win at home to Slovenia in April.

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Play-off chasing Wales keen to inspire a nation, says boss Grainger

Who else has already qualified?

Along with England, Spain and France - Sweden, Norway, Germany and Denmark have also booked their place in next year's tournament.