Portugal Women’s World Cup 2027 Qualifiers: Squad & Fixtures Revealed

Portugal’s Women’s National Team Gears Up for 2027 World Cup Qualification with New Faces

Portugal’s journey to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil officially begins with upcoming matches against Finland and Slovakia. Head coach Francisco Neto has announced the squad, marking a new competitive cycle for the national team, known as the Navegadoras.

Pauleta’s Debut: A Landmark Moment

The most significant news surrounding the squad is the first-ever call-up for Pauleta, a midfielder from Benfica. Born in Spain, Pauleta recently obtained Portuguese citizenship and brings valuable experience to the team. She arrived in Portugal in 2016, initially playing for SC Braga before joining Benfica eight years ago.

New Blood Injected into the Squad

Alongside Pauleta, two other players will experience their first taste of international competition: Daniela Areia Santos, representing Valadares Gaia and Nádia Bravo from Sporting de Braga. These additions signal a commitment to integrating fresh talent into the national setup.

Match Schedule and Qualification Pathway

Portugal will kick off their qualification campaign against Finland on March 3rd at 18:45 (local time) at the Estádio do FC Vizela. Four days later, on March 7th at 16:00, they will host Slovakia at the Estádio Cidade de Barcelos.

The team competes in League B of the UEFA Women’s Nations League, which serves as the primary European route to qualify for the 2027 World Cup. Their group also includes Latvia, adding another layer of competition to their qualifying path.

Full Squad List

Goalkeepers: Inês Pereira (Dep. Corunha), Patrícia Morais (SC Braga), Sierra Cota-Yarde (Toronto)

Defenders: Beatriz Fonseca (Sporting), Carole Costa (Benfica), Carolina Correia (Torreense), Catarina Amado (Benfica), Daniela Areia Santos (Valadares Gaia), Diana Gomes (Benfica), Joana Marchão (Servette)

Midfielders: Andreia Bravo (Sporting), Andreia Faria (Al Nassr), Andreia Jacinto (Real Sociedad), Dolores Silva (Levante), Fátima Pinto (Strasbourg), Kika Nazareth (Barcelona), Nádia Bravo (SC Braga), Pauleta (Benfica), Tatiana Pinto (Juventus)

Forwards: Ana Capeta (Juventus), Carolina Santiago (Sporting), Diana Silva (Benfica), Jéssica Silva (Al-Hilal), Lúcia Alves (Benfica), Telma Encarnação (Sporting)

Did you know?

Pauleta expressed her joy at being called up, stating that “the word is happiness, I wanted this for a long time.” She also highlighted her journey of becoming a woman in Portugal after arriving from Spain ten years ago.

FAQ

Q: When does Portugal play Finland?
A: March 3rd at 18:45 (local time) at the Estádio do FC Vizela.

Q: Who are the three new players called up to the national team?
A: Pauleta, Daniela Areia Santos, and Nádia Bravo.

Q: What competition pathway will Portugal use to qualify for the World Cup?
A: The UEFA Women’s Nations League, specifically League B.

Pro Tip

Keep an eye on Pauleta’s performance. Her debut could be a turning point for the team, bringing a fresh dynamic to the midfield.

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