Group play in the Women’s World Cup is moving into its crucial stage, with nations now booking their place in the round of 16.
Here, we take a look at all eight groups and what’s needed to secure a passage to the knockout rounds — and who has already progressed.
– Women’s World Cup bracket and fixtures schedule
This article will be updated with the latest permutations as the group stage progresses.
QUALIFIED FOR ROUND OF 16: Japan, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway
EMLIMINATED: Costa Rica, Zambia, Republic of Ireland, Vietnam, Panama, New Zealand, Philippines
TIEBREAKERS
– points
– goal difference in all matches
– goals scored in all matches
– head-to-head points between teams level on points
– head-to-head goal difference between teams level on points
– head-to-head goals scored between teams level on points
– fair play points (yellow card: 1 point; indirect red card: 3 points; direct red card: 4 points; yellow card and direct red card: 5 points)
– drawing of lots
GROUP A
Sophie Roman Haug scored a hat trick as Norway put a turbulent two weeks behind them and squeaked into the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup on goal difference with a 6-0 thrashing of the Philippines at Eden Park.
Winger Caroline Graham Hansen and Guro Reiten also scored to help the 1995 champions finish in second place in Group A above New Zealand with their first win of the tournament.
New Zealand and Switzerland played out an underwhelming 0-0 stalemate, sending the co-hosts out of the tournament and the Europeans through as Group A winners.
New Zealand, who stunned Norway in their opening match before losing to the Philippines in their second, became the first Women’s World Cup hosts to exit in the group stage.
GROUP B
Monday, July 31: Canada vs. Australia, Republic of Ireland vs. Nigeria
NIGERIA: Need at least a draw against Republic of Ireland to be sure to qualify for the knockout stages, but they could yet be eliminated if they are beaten by the Irish.
If Nigeria beat Ireland, they will top the group if Canada lose or draw. If both Nigeria and Canada win, top spot will be decided on group goal difference and goals scored between those two countries. At present, both have a goal difference of +1, and Nigeria are top having scored one more goal.
– If both teams win by the same scoreline (so both 1-0), Nigeria will win the group
– If both teams win by the same margin, but Canada score one more goal (so 2-1 and 1-0), it goes to head-to-head. As their group tie finished 0-0, placings would be decided on Fair Play points, and if level, random drawing of lots.
– If Nigeria win by a higher-scoring one-goal margin (so 2-1 to Canada’s 1-0), they top the group
– If either team wins by a greater margin (so Nigeria 1-0, and Canada 2-0), that team wins the group (Canada in this example)
If Nigeria lose and Canada win, Nigeria are through: 1. Canada, 2. Nigeria, 3. Australia, 4. Republic of Ireland
If Nigeria lose and Australia draw, second place will be decided on group goal difference between those two countries. At present, Nigeria have a goal difference advantage of 1, which would automatically be wiped out.
– If both teams lose by one goal and score the same number (so, 0-0 and 0-1 or 1-1 and 1-2 leaves Australia and Nigeria identical); Nigeria go through on head to head.
– If Nigeria lose by one goal but score more than Australia (so, 0-0 Australia and 1-2 Nigeria), Nigeria are second on goals scored.
– If Nigeria lose by one goal but Australia score more goals (so, 1-1 Australia and 0-1 Nigeria), Australia are second on goals scored.
– If Nigeria lose by 2+ goals, they are out with Australia in second
If Nigeria and Canada both lose, the two teams will be level on four points so second place will be decided on group goal difference and goals scored between those two countries. It works in reverse to both teams winning.
– If both teams lose by the same scoreline (so both 1-0), Nigeria will finished second on goals scored
– If both teams lose by the same margin, but Canada score one more goal (so 1-2 Canada and 0-1 Nigeria), it goes to head-to-head. As their group tie finished 0-0, placings would be decided on Fair Play points, and if level, random drawing of lots
– If Nigeria lose by a higher-scoring one-goal margin (so 1-2 to Canada’s 0-1), they finish second
– If either team loses by a greater margin (so Nigeria 0-1, and Canada 0-2), the team that loses by the smaller margin finishes second
CANADA: Need at least draw against Australia to be sure to qualify for the knockout stages. However, a defeat to the co-hosts would leave their continued participation in jeopardy.
If Canada beat Australia, they will top the group if Nigeria lose or draw. If both Canada and Nigeria win, the scenarios in the Nigeria section apply for top spot.
If Canada lose and Nigeria win, Canada are out: 1. Nigeria, 2. Australia, 3. Canada, 4. Republic of Ireland
If Canada lose and Nigeria draw, Canada are out: 1. Australia, 2. Nigeria, 3. Canada, 4. Republic of Ireland
If Canada and Nigeria both lose, both teams are tied on four points for second (see Nigeria section.)
AUSTRALIA: Go into the final group game in third, needing a result to stay in the competition.
The Matildas are guaranteed to qualify with a win over Canada, and can top the group if Nigeria fail to win.
Australia can only qualify with a draw if Nigeria lose to Republic of Ireland. Second place will be decided on group goal difference between Australia and Nigeria, as set out in the Nigeria section.
Cannot qualify with a loss.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Have been eliminated and must beat Nigeria and Australia lose to Canada to have any chance of avoiding finishing bottom of the group.
GROUP C
Monday, July 31: Japan vs. Spain, Costa Rica vs. Zambia
SPAIN: Have qualified and will top the group with a win or draw against Japan.
JAPAN: Are through to the round of 16 but must beat Spain to finish in first place.
COSTA RICA: Have been eliminated.
ZAMBIA: Have been eliminated.
GROUP D
Tuesday, Aug. 1: Haiti vs. Denmark, China vs. England
ENGLAND: Sarina Wiegman’s European champions only need a point against China to secure top spot in the group — but they could yet be eliminated with defeat in the final round of games.
Will still be guaranteed to go through with a defeat if Denmark lose/draw.
If England lose to China and Denmark win, the three teams will have six points and positions 1-3 will be decided on group goal difference and goals scored:
– If China and Denmark both win by the same one-goal scoreline (for instance 1-0) the top three will have identical records (goal difference of 2:1) and all places will be decided first on Fair Play, and then if still level random drawing of lots
– If both games are won by different one-goal scorelines, positions will be decided on group goals scored; so China 2-1 England, Haiti 0-1 Denmark would see the Danes eliminated
– If England lose by more than one goal, they cannot qualify; China and Denmark would be guaranteed to take the top two spots
– If both games are won by one goal, but Denmark score more goals than China (so 2-1 and 3-2), China will finish second ahead of England on head to head
DENMARK: A win will definitely be enough to send them through as long as China do not beat England.
If Denmark and China both win, positions 1-3 with England will be decided on overall group goal difference (see England section.)
If Denmark and China both draw, the Danes will be second unless China are involved in a higher-scoring draw. At present the two teams are locked on points and goal difference:
– If both games are the same drawn scoreline, so 0-0 and 0-0, Denmark finish second on head to head
– If China are involved in a higher-scoring draw, so 2-2 to 1-1, China finish second
– If Denmark are involved in a higher-scoring draw, Denmark finish second
If Denmark draw and China lose, Denmark finish second.
If Denmark and China lose, positions 2-4 with Haiti will be decided on overall group goal difference.
– If China and Denmark both lose by the same one-goal scoreline (for instance 1-0) the three teams will have identical records (goal difference of 1:2) and all places will be decided first on Fair Play, and then if still level random drawing of lots
– If both games are won by different one-goal scorelines, positions will be decided on group goals scored; so China 1-2 England, Haiti 1-0 Denmark would see China through in second
– If Denmark lose by more than one goal, they cannot qualify
– If Haiti win by 2+ goals, and China lose, Haiti are guaranteed to finish second
– China can only qualify if they win by one goal and Haiti win by no more than one goal
If Denmark lose and China draw or win, Denmark are out.
CHINA: Their scenarios are very similar to Denmark’s, with both teams on three points.
A victory will definitely earn a top two place as long as Denmark do not win.
If China and Denmark both win, positions 1-3 with England will be decided on overall group goal difference (see England section.)
If China and Denmark both draw, China must be involved in a higher-scoring draw (see Denmark section.)
If China draw and Denmark lose, China finish second.
If China and Denmark lose, positions 2-4 with Haiti will be decided on overall group goal difference (see Denmark section.)
HAITI: Can only qualify if they beat Denmark, and China lose. Positions 2-4 with Haiti would then be decided on overall group goal difference (see Denmark section.)
GROUP E
Tuesday, Aug. 1: Portugal vs. United States, Vietnam vs. Netherlands
UNITED STATES: Need a point to qualify, will top the group with a victory if Netherlands draw/lose.
If United States and Netherlands both win, both teams have seven points and top spot will be decided on group goal difference and goals scored. USA’s goal difference is +3, with Netherlands’ +1:
– If Netherlands win by the same margin (e.g. 2-1 and 1-0), or by one greater goal (so 2-0 and 1-0), United States win the group on goal difference
– If Netherlands win by a greater margin of two goals (e.g. 3-0 and 1-0), goal difference will be level and first place is decided on goals scored (Netherlands would have to score two more goals to be level)
– If Netherlands win by a greater margin of two goals and goals scored is identical in the group (e.g. 5-0 and 3-0); top spot will be decided first on Fair Play (as the group game was a draw), and then by drawing of lots
– If Netherlands win by a greater margin of 3+ goals (e.g. 4-0 and 1-0), Netherlands win the group
If United States draw and Netherlands win, it’s 1. Netherlands, 2. United States, 3. Portugal, 4. Vietnam
If United States draw and Netherlands lose/draw, the USWNT win the group.
If United States lose, they cannot qualify if Netherlands draw/win.
If United States and Netherlands lose, the two teams will be level on four points and second place will be decided on group goal difference and goals scored, in reverse to the top spot scenario:
– If United States lose by the same margin (e.g. 2-1 and 1-0), or by one greater goal (so 2-0 and 1-0), United States are second
– If United States lose by a greater margin of two goals (e.g. 3-0 and 1-0), goal difference will be level and second place is decided on goals scored (Netherlands would have to score two more goals to be level)
– If United States lose by a greater margin of two goals and goals scored is identical in the group (e.g. 3-0 and 3-2); second place will be decided first on Fair Play (as the group game was a draw), and then by drawing of lots
– If United States lose by a greater margin of 3+ goals (e.g. 4-0 and 1-0), Netherlands win the group
NETHERLANDS: Need a point to qualify, and will top the group with a victory if they better United States’ result or win by a greater margin of at least 2+ goals (see United States section.)
If Netherlands lose and United States win, they are certain to go through.
If Netherlands lose and Portugal draw, then two teams will be level on four points and the Dutch will be out due to their inferior goal difference. 1. United States, 2. Portugal, 3. Netherlands. 4. Vietnam
If Netherlands and the United States lose, the teams are level for second on four points and the tiebreakers in the United States section apply.
PORTUGAL: Are guaranteed to qualify with a win against United States, which will be as group winners if Netherlands lose or draw.
If Portugal draw, they can only qualify if Netherlands lose. That will leave the two teams level on four points in second, and Portugal are guaranteed to have the superior goal difference.
Portugal cannot qualify if they lose.
VIETNAM: Have been eliminated.
GROUP F
Wednesday, Aug. 2: Panama vs. France, Jamaica vs. Brazil
FRANCE: Need at least a draw against Panama to be sure to qualify for the knockout stages, but they could yet be eliminated if they are beaten by Panama.
If France beat Panama, they will top the group if Jamaica lose or draw. If both France and Jamaica win, top spot will be decided on group goal difference and goals scored between those two countries. At present, both have a goal difference of +1, and France are top having scored one more goal.
– If both teams win by the same scoreline (so both 1-0), France will win the group
– If both teams win by the same margin, but Jamaica score one more goal (so 2-1 and 1-0), it goes to head-to-head. As their group tie finished 0-0, placings would be decided on Fair Play points, and if level, random drawing of lots.
– If France win by a higher-scoring one-goal margin (so 2-1 to Jamaica’s 1-0), they top the group
– If either team wins by a greater margin (so France 2-0, and Jamaica 1-0), that team wins the group (France in this example)
If France lose and Jamaica win, France are through: 1. Jamaica, 2. France, 3. Brazil, 4. Panama
If France lose and Brazil draw, Brazil are guaranteed to finish second on goal difference. 1. Jamaica, 2. Brazil, 3. France, 4. Panama
If France and Jamaica both lose, the two teams will be level on four points so second place will be decided on group goal difference and goals scored between those two countries. It works in reverse to both teams winning.
– If both teams lose by the same scoreline (so both 1-0), France will finished second on goals scored
– If both teams lose by the same margin, but Jamaica score one more goal (so 1-2 Jamaica and 0-1 France), it goes to head-to-head. As their group tie finished 0-0, placings would be decided on Fair Play points, and if level, random drawing of lots
– If France lose by a higher-scoring one-goal margin (so 1-2 to Jamaica’s 0-1), they finish second
– If either team loses by a greater margin (so France 0-1, and Jamaica 0-2), the team that loses by the smaller margin finishes second
JAMIACA: Need at least draw against Brazil to be sure to qualify for the knockout stages. However, a defeat would leave their continued participation in jeopardy.
If Jamaica beat Brazil, they will top the group if France lose or draw. If both Jamaica and France win, the scenarios in the France section apply for top spot.
If Jamaica lose and France win, Jamaica are out: 1. France, 2. Brazil, 3. Jamaica, 4. Panama
If Jamaica lose and France draw, Jamaica are out: 1. Brazil, 2. France, 3. Jamaica, 4. Panama
If Jamaica and France both lose, both teams are tied on four points for second (see France section.)
BRAZIL: Go into the final group game in third, needing a result to stay in the competition.
Brazil are guaranteed to qualify with a win over Jamaica, and can top the group if France fail to win.
Brazil can only qualify with a draw if France lose, and in that scenario Brazil would definitely be second on goal difference.
PANAMA: Have been eliminated and must beat France and Brazil lose to Jamaica to have any chance of avoiding finishing bottom of the group.
GROUP G
Wednesday, Aug. 2: Argentina vs. Sweden, South Africa vs. Italy
SWEDEN: Have qualified and need a point to win the group. But with a goal difference advantage of 10 over second placed Italy, it would take a huge swing for Sweden not to take first place.
ITALY: Need a win over South Africa to be certain of going through, almost certainly in second.
Will only qualify with a draw if Argentina draw/lose. If Italy draw and Argentina win, the two teams will be level on four points and Argentina are guaranteed to finish second on goal difference.
Cannot qualify with a defeat.
SOUTH AFRICA: Must beat Italy to qualify, and will be guaranteed to finish second if Argentina draw/lose.
If Argentina and South Africa win, second place will be decided between the two countries on group goal difference and goals scored, which is equal at 1-1. That means the team with the biggest win will finish second.
If both teams win by the same scoreline, so finish with identical group goal difference, second place will be decided first on Fair Play (as the group game was a draw), and then by drawing of lots.
ARGENTINA: Must beat Sweden to qualify, and will be guaranteed to finish second if South Africa-Italy is draw.
If Argentina and South Africa win, second is decided as set out in the South Africa section.
GROUP H
Thursday, Aug. 3: South Korea vs. Germany, Morocco vs. Colombia
COLOMBIA: The South Americans only need a point against Morocco to secure top spot in the group — and while they could go out they would have to lose by 4+ goals.
Will still be guaranteed to go through with a defeat if Germany lose/draw.
If Colombia lose to Morocco and Germany win, the three teams will have six points and positions 1-3 will be decided on group goal difference and goals scored:
– Germany would be guaranteed to take one of the top two places, and would almost certainly win the group, due to their +5 GD
– Morocco would have to win by 4+ goals against Colombia to take second ahead of them
– Morocco would have to win by at least 11 goals to have a chance of topping the group ahead of Germany
GERMANY: A win will definitely be enough to send them through regardless of other results.
If Germany and Morocco both win, positions 1-3 with Colombia will be decided on overall group goal difference, with Germany guaranteed a top-two place (see Colombia section.)
If Germany and Morocco both draw, Germany will finish second on goal difference.
If Germany draw and Morocco lose, Germany finish second.
If Germany and Morocco lose, positions 2-4 with South Korea will be decided on overall group goal difference.
– Morocco cannot qualify due to their inferior goal difference
– South Korea would have to beat Germany by 5+ goals to overtake them for second
If Germany lose and Morocco draw or win, Germany are out.
MOROCCO: A victory will definitely earn a top two place as long as Germany do not win.
If Morocco and Germany both win, positions 1-3 with Colombia will be decided on overall group goal difference (see Colombia section) and Morocco would need to win by 4+ goals.
If Morocco and Germany both draw, Morocco are out.
If Morocco draw and Germany lose, Morocco finish second.
If Morocco and Germany lose, positions 2-4 with South Korea will be decided on overall group goal difference (see Germany section) and Morocco cannot qualify,
SOUTH KOREA: Can only qualify if they beat Germany, and Morocco lose. Positions 2-4 with South Korea would then be decided on overall group goal difference (see Germany section) and they would need to win by 5+ goals.
