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Group play in the Women’s World Cup is moving into its crucial stage, and some nations could book their place in the round of 16 after only two matches.
Here, we take a look at all eight groups and what’s needed to secure a passage to the knockout rounds.
– 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
EMLIMINATED: Costa Rica, Zambia, Republic of Ireland, Vietnam
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
Sunday, July 30: Switzerland vs. New Zealand, Norway vs. Philippines
SWITZERLAND: They sit on top of the table and are firm favourites to progress; guaranteed to go through with a win/draw against co-hosts New Zealand.
A victory assures they will go through as group winners, and a draw will be enough for the top spot as long as the Philippines do not beat Norway.
Switzerland could even go through in second with a loss, but would be out if the Philippines win.
If Switzerland lose and the Philippines draw, second place will be decided on goal difference between those two countries. The Philippines need to make up a goal difference deficit of three, so Switzerland must lose by at least three goals to finish third. So:
– If the Philippines draw and Switzerland lose by one or two goals, it’s: 1. New Zealand, 2. Switzerland, 3. Philippines, 4. Norway
– If the Philippines draw and Switzerland lose by three goals, second place will be decided on goals scored between the two teams.
– If the Philippines and Switzerland finish with the same goals scored (for example, Switzerland 0-3 New Zealand, Norway 1-1 Philippines), it goes to head to head, and Switzerland will finish in second having won the group game.
– If the Philippines draw and Switzerland lose by four-plus goals, it’s 1. New Zealand, 2. Philippines, 3. Switzerland, 4. Norway
If Switzerland lose and Norway win, second place will be decided on goal difference between those two countries. Norway need to make up a goal difference deficit of three, so must win by at least one more goal than Switzerland lose; or Switzerland must lose by at least one more goal than Norway win. So:
– If Norway and Switzerland both lose by one goal, it’s 1. New Zealand, 2. Switzerland, 3. Norway, 4. Philippines
– If Norway win by two goals, and Switzerland lose by one goal, second place will be decided on goals scored between the two teams.
— If Norway and Switzerland finish with the same goals scored (for example, Switzerland 0-1 New Zealand, Norway 2-0 Philippines), it goes to head to head, which finished 0-0. That moves us on to Fair Play, with Switzerland on minus-2 and Norway on minus-1. If Fair Play ends level, it will be random drawing of lots for second place.
– If Norway win by one goal, and Switzerland lose by two goals, second place will be decided on goals scored between the two teams.
— If Norway and Switzerland finish with the same goals scored (for example, Switzerland 0-2 New Zealand, Norway 2-1 Philippines), it goes to head to head, which finished 0-0. That moves us on to Fair Play, with Switzerland on minus-2 and Norway on minus-1. If Fair Play ends level, it will be random drawing of lots for second place.
– Any other greater margin of the above two scenarios (with either Norway winning by more or Switzerland losing by more), and Norway will finish second: 1. New Zealand, 2. Norway, 3. Switzerland, 4. Philippines
NEW ZEALAND: Are guaranteed to go through with a win over Switzerland, which will be as group winners if the Philippines draw/lose. New Zealand cannot qualify if they lose to Switzerland.
If New Zealand draw and the Philippines win, New Zealand are eliminated: 1. Philippines, 2. Switzerland, 3. New Zealand, 4. Norway
If both games are drawn, New Zealand finish second: 1. Switzerland, 2. New Zealand, 3. Philippines, 4. Norway
If New Zealand draw and Norway win, second place will be decided on goal difference between those two countries. Norway only need to make up a goal difference deficit of one, so any win wipes that out.
– If New Zealand draw and Norway win by one goal, second place will be decided on goals scored between the two teams.
– If New Zealand and Norway finish with the same goals scored (for example, Switzerland 1-1 New Zealand, Norway 2-1 Philippines), it goes to head to head, and New Zealand will finish in second having won the group game.
– If New Zealand draw and Norway win by two-plus goals, it’s: 1. Switzerland, 2. Norway, 3. New Zealand, 4. Philippines
THE PHILIPPINES: Are guaranteed to qualify with a win over Norway, and will win the group if Switzerland-New Zealand is a draw.
If the Philippines draw, they are sure to be through in second if Switzerland win: 1. Switzerland, 2. Philippines, 3. New Zealand, 4. Norway
If both games are drawn, the Philippines are out: 1. Switzerland, 2. New Zealand, 3. Philippines, 4. Norway
If the Philippines draw and Switzerland lose, the Philippines need to make up a goal difference deficit of three (see Switzerland section.)
Cannot qualify with a loss to Norway.
NORWAY: Must beat Philippines to have any chance of progressing.
If Norway and Switzerland win, it’s: 1. Switzerland, 2. Norway, 3. New Zealand, 4. Philippines
If Norway win and New Zealand draw, second place will be decided on goal difference between those two countries. Norway only need to make up a goal difference deficit of one (see New Zealand section.)
If Norway win and Switzerland lose, second place will be decided on goal difference between those two countries. Norway need to make up a goal difference deficit of three (see Switzerland section.)
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
Tuesday, Aug. 1: Haiti vs. Denmark, China vs. England
ENGLAND: Sabrina Weigman’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
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 USMNT 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
Saturday, July 29: Panama vs. Jamaica
Wednesday, Aug. 2: Panama vs. France, Jamaica vs. Brazil
Brazil’s 2-1 loss to France on Saturday means no team can advance or be eliminated on Matchday 2.
Full group permutations will follow after Panama vs. Jamaica, though France know they will only need a draw against Jamaica to secure safe passage.
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 Italy lose/draw.
If Argentina and South Africa win, second is decided as set out in the South Africa section.
GROUP H
Sunday, July 30: South Korea vs. Morocco, Germany vs. Colombia
Thursday, Aug. 3: South Korea vs. Germany, Morocco vs. Colombia
Germany and Colombia won their first matches and they play against each other on Sunday.
If South Korea fail to beat Morocco in the first match, Germany can then qualify with a win.
If Morocco fail to beat South Korea, Colombia can qualify with a win.
If South Korea lose to Morocco, they will be eliminated if Germany draw/win against Colombia.
If Morocco lose to South Korea, they will be eliminated if Colombia draw/win against Germany.
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