With every team having played two games so far, the Women’s World Cup is now well underway. The tournament has been extremely entertaining, so much so that only two teams have definitely qualified to the knockout round. Japan and Brazil are through, having won their first group games. Everything else however is undecided. It is important to remember when looking at who will qualify that the four best third placed teams will also make it through.
It’s all to play for in Group A, with all four teams able to qualify. Canada will win the group if they beat the Netherlands, and the Netherlands and China should be through with draws and definitely with wins. New Zealand have to beat China to stand any chance of qualifying.
In Group B it is simpler. It is likely that Germany will beat Thailand and Norway will defeat Ivory Coast, in which case both teams will qualify. However, 1st and 2nd place will be determined by goal difference, with Germany having a superior difference by six goals at the moment.
Group C should see Japan beat Ecuador, topping the group. If Ecuador pull off a shock victory over Japan, the result of Cameroon vs Switzerland will determine the group winner. However, this is unrealistic, and so the Switzerland would need to either win or draw to achieve 2nd place.
In Group D, Nigeria must beat the US to stand any chance of qualification, and an American win would see them topping the group. The winner of Australia vs Sweden will qualify, setting it up to be an interesting match.
Brazil have already won Group E, but if Costa Rica beat them in their final match, they will join the Brazilians in qualification. If Costa Rica draw, they are through if the other game ends in a draw, but their fortune will depend on the games in the other groups. A win for either Spain or the Korean Republic should see them through if Costa Rica lose.
If England beat Colombia in their final match of Group F, they will win the group if their goal difference is superior to France. Mexico must beat France or they are eliminated, and if France win they will gain second place in the group. Colombia should also qualify depending on the results of other matches.
So far, Japan and Brazil have looked strong, but arguably have easier groups. Germany also look impressive, putting 14 goals past Thailand and Ivory Coast. However, they faltered against the tougher challenge of Norway, and this seems to be true of all the big teams in the tournament so far. The US drew to Sweden and France lost to Colombia, showing that there is currently no stand out favourite to win the tournament.
It is obvious to see that the World Cup is wide open, and each of the remaining group games will be an intriguing and exciting watch.