Grace Fisk has earned her first two England caps. Marie Höbinger is scoring for Austria again after a serious knee injury. Natalia Ramos has made her senior Spain debut. For several Liverpool FC Women players, the October international break has brought the prospect of playing at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil a little closer.
The first round of Europe’s qualifying play-offs concluded on 13 October, with England, Scotland, Sweden and Austria all progressing. Japan and Spain have already secured their places at the tournament, which runs from 24 June to 25 July 2027.
But there are two separate challenges for Liverpool’s internationals: their countries must qualify, and they must then convince their national coaches to select them.
With the November and December play-offs still to come, we examine the Reds hoping to reach Brazil, what they achieved during October and the obstacles they still face.
Fuka Nagano: established with Japan
Fuka Nagano is among Liverpool’s more established internationals. Japan secured their World Cup place by winning the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, defeating Australia 1-0 in the final in March.
For Nagano, the challenge is no longer qualification but maintaining her place in the national squad.
The 27-year-old midfielder has been a consistent presence for Liverpool since arriving in January 2023. Her positional discipline, passing and understanding of the game make her an important part of Gareth Taylor’s midfield.
Japan’s October programme consisted of friendlies against Haiti and Germany. Nagano started the 5-1 victory over Haiti before Japan suffered a 2-1 defeat in Bremen, where Linda Dallmann and Klara Bühl overturned Momoko Tanikawa’s early goal.
As the German Football Association’s match report showed, Japan faced a demanding test against European opposition.
Nagano’s experience puts her in a strong position to make the final World Cup squad. Her task over the coming months is to maintain the standards that have already made her a regular international.
Natalia Ramos: Spain breakthrough
Natalia Ramos has enjoyed one of the most significant international breaks of any Liverpool player.
The 27-year-old central midfielder arrived from CD Tenerife during the summer and has already established herself in Gareth Taylor’s plans. Her first competitive Liverpool start came against Tottenham in September.
More importantly, she received her first senior Spain call-up as a replacement for the injured Mariona Caldentey.
Spain have already qualified for Brazil, but competition for places in their World Cup-winning squad is considerable. The two October friendlies against the United States offered Ramos an opportunity to demonstrate that she belongs at international level.
She made her senior debut in Washington on 10 October, replacing Alexia Putellas in the 66th minute as Spain recorded a 2-0 victory.
Three days later, Ramos earned her second cap, entering the match in the 78th minute as Spain drew 2-2 with the United States in Chester, Pennsylvania.
She had a powerful effort that cleared the crossbar and was subsequently booked. Spain had led 2-0 before the hosts fought back to secure a draw.
Both appearances are confirmed in the Spanish Football Federation’s official report.
Two senior appearances against one of the strongest nations in women’s football represent an encouraging start. Ramos is now part of the conversation, although securing a place in Spain’s final World Cup squad remains a considerable challenge.
Grace Fisk: England breakthrough
For Liverpool captain Grace Fisk, October brought a long-awaited international breakthrough.
After several previous England call-ups without an appearance, the 28-year-old centre-back finally made her senior debut during England’s 3-1 victory over Greece on 9 October.
She entered the match in added time, replacing Esme Morgan, six years after receiving her first senior call-up under Phil Neville.
Fisk then earned her second cap four days later, replacing Leah Williamson in the 72nd minute of England’s emphatic 5-0 victory in Leicester.
Alessia Russo scored twice, Lauren James added another two goals and Georgia Stanway was also on target as England completed an 8-1 aggregate victory.
The official England match report confirms Fisk’s second appearance and the Lionesses’ progress to a final European qualifying tie against Ukraine.
Fisk has now overcome the first hurdle: earning Sarina Wiegman’s trust sufficiently to get onto the pitch.
Her next challenge is establishing herself as a genuine selection option alongside England’s more experienced defenders. Regular performances for Liverpool, combined with further international opportunities, could strengthen her prospects considerably.
Khiara Keating: competing for England
Khiara Keating’s position is different. The Liverpool goalkeeper already has a senior England cap, having made her debut against Brazil in October 2025.
That appearance was significant beyond football. Keating became the first Black goalkeeper to represent England’s senior women’s team, a milestone recognised by the Football Association.
She was also part of England’s successful Euro 2025 squad, although she did not feature against Greece in either October play-off.
Since joining Liverpool from Manchester City during the summer, Keating has established herself as Taylor’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Hannah Hampton remains England’s established number one, so Keating’s immediate opportunity is more likely to involve competing for one of the other goalkeeper places in the World Cup squad.
At 22, she has time on her side. But with competition for international places remaining strong, consistent performances for Liverpool could prove decisive.
Sam Kerr: Scotland recall
Sam Kerr, Liverpool’s Scottish midfielder rather than the Australian striker of the same name, returned to the international squad after a lengthy absence.
The 34-cap midfielder had not represented Scotland since February 2025, but national coach Melissa Andreatta brought her back for the play-off against Czechia.
Kerr’s versatility is a considerable advantage. Although naturally a central midfielder, she has also operated at right-back for Liverpool this season.
She remained on the bench during Scotland’s 2-0 first-leg victory in Pardubice, while Liverpool teammates Jenna Clark and Kirsty Maclean both featured.
The return match in Paisley was considerably more dramatic.
Scotland twice fell behind before goals from Emma Davidson and Kathleen McGovern restored parity. Christy Grimshaw eventually secured a 3-2 victory, completing a 5-2 aggregate win.
Clark started again, while Maclean appeared as a late substitute. Kerr was unused, underlining the challenge she faces in earning regular minutes under Andreatta.
Scotland’s reward is a two-legged meeting with Sweden, as confirmed by the Scottish Football Association.
For Kerr, the immediate priority is to turn her recall into appearances. Her experience and positional flexibility offer a route into the team, but her selection for Brazil remains far from certain.
Alice Bergstrom: Sweden competition
Alice Bergstrom represents one of the more uncertain World Cup prospects among Liverpool’s internationals.
The 23-year-old joined the Reds from BK Häcken in January and has earned opportunities in Gareth Taylor’s starting XI.
Her inclusion in Sweden’s senior squad was encouraging, particularly with the national team managing several injury absences.
However, Sweden’s comprehensive play-off victories over Lithuania demonstrated how difficult it may be for Bergstrom to establish herself.
Sweden won the first leg 5-0, with teenager Felicia Schröder scoring a hat-trick. Bergstrom was an unused substitute.
Tuesday’s return match was even more emphatic, ending 10-0 and completing a 15-0 aggregate victory.
Schröder scored twice more, as did Stina Blackstenius and Amanda Ilestedt. Nathalie Björn, Smilla Holmberg and Hanna Lundkvist also found the net, with Lithuania goalkeeper Meda Šeškutė credited with an own goal.
The Swedish Football Association’s report confirmed the result and goalscoring details.
Schröder’s five goals across the two matches highlight the competition Bergstrom faces for attacking positions.
She now has an opportunity to strengthen her case through her club performances before Sweden face Scotland in December.
That tie also creates an interesting Liverpool subplot: Bergstrom and Kerr could find themselves on opposite sides of a contest with a World Cup place at stake.
Marie Höbinger: Austria comeback
Marie Höbinger’s return to international football is one of the most encouraging Liverpool stories of the October break.
The midfielder suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Manchester City in October 2025, ruling her out for much of the following year.
She returned during Liverpool’s pre-season preparations in August and marked the occasion with a goal against Leicester City.
Her recovery continued with two goals against Sunderland in the Subway Players Cup, when she captained Liverpool on her first competitive start in almost twelve months.
Austria then recalled Höbinger for the World Cup qualifying play-off against Kosovo.
She started the first leg in Pristina, playing the opening hour as Austria recovered from a goal down to win 2-1.
In Tuesday’s return match in Vienna, she made an even greater contribution.
Höbinger opened the scoring after seven minutes, reacting to a blocked effort and finishing on the volley. It was her first Austria goal in three-and-a-half years.
Sarah Puntigam, Virginia Kirchberger and Eileen Campbell added further goals as Austria completed a 4-0 victory and progressed 6-1 on aggregate.
Höbinger played until the 69th minute, another positive step in her recovery. The Austrian broadcaster ORF’s match report confirmed her goal, playing time and the other scorers.
Austria now face Switzerland in the final European qualifying round as they attempt to reach the Women’s World Cup for the first time.
Höbinger still needs to rebuild her regular involvement in Liverpool’s league matches. Nevertheless, starting consecutive competitive internationals and finding the net again represents substantial progress after such a serious injury.
Lily Woodham: Wales hopes
Lily Woodham also made a contribution during October as Wales advanced to the final European qualifying round.
Wales defeated Albania 3-0 in Llanelli, completing a 4-0 aggregate victory. Woodham provided the delivery for Hannah Cain’s third goal after good work by Mared Griffiths.
The result secured a meeting with Norway in November and December, with Woodham’s involvement another encouraging sign for Liverpool’s international contingent.
The Football Association of Wales’ match report confirms her contribution.
Who is closest to Brazil?
The October international break has improved the prospects of several Liverpool players, but their situations remain very different.
Nagano is an established international whose country has already qualified. Ramos has made an important breakthrough with Spain, although two appearances do not guarantee selection.
Fisk has finally earned her first England caps, while Keating remains part of Wiegman’s goalkeeping plans. Kerr’s Scotland recall offers another opportunity, but she needs more minutes to strengthen her case.
Bergstrom faces considerable competition in Sweden’s attack. Höbinger, meanwhile, has made significant progress in her recovery and returned to scoring at international level.
Woodham’s contribution for Wales is another reminder that Liverpool’s representation could extend beyond the principal contenders examined here.
The next decisive stage comes between 26 November and 5 December, when Europe’s remaining teams contest the second round of play-offs.
According to UEFA’s qualification rules, seven of the eight second-round winners will qualify directly. The remaining winner must enter February’s inter-confederation play-offs.
For Liverpool’s players, there is still plenty to achieve. The coming weeks of club football could be just as important as their international performances.
Brazil is now a little closer for some of the Reds. But the final squad selections remain months away, and none of those places can yet be taken for granted.
