2018 FIFA World Cup third placed in 2014 the Netherlands (for the first time since 2002), and four reigning continental champions: 2017 Africa Cup of Nations winners Cameroon, two-time Copa América champions and 2017 Confederations Cup runners-up Chile, 2016 OFC Nations Cup winners New Zealand, and 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup champions United States (for the first time since 1986). The other notable qualifying streaks broken were for Ghana and Ivory Coast, who had both made the previous three tournaments. "Note: Numbers in parentheses indicate positions in the FIFA World Rankings at the time of the tournament." The draw was held on 1 December 2017
1999 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification groups, from which the group winners qualify for the World Cup. The four runners-up were drawn into two home-and-away knock-out matches, winners of those matches also qualifying. The 1998 CONCACAF's Women's Championship winner Canada qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup 1999. The runner-up Mexico qualified in two playoff-matches against the second-placed team of CONMEBOL – Argentina. The United States qualified as hosts. The 1998 OFC Women's Championship determined the OFC's one qualifier for the FIFA Women's World Cup 1999 – the winner Australia. The third edition of the Sudamericano Femenino (Women's South American Championship) in 1998 determined the CONMEBOL's