With the group stage fixtures about to be completed, five teams have already been eliminated even before they play their final round of fixtures.
Costa Rica as well as debutants Republic of Ireland, Panama, Zambia and Vietnam, have lost their opening two matches and stand no chance of proceeding to the last 16.
But there is good news for Spain, Japan (Group C) and Sweden (Group G) who have already secured their tickets for the next round with a match to spare.
The top two teams from each group qualify for the Round of 16, and teams level on points will be separated by goal difference.
Let’s have a look at the permutations are before Sunday’s (30 July) matches:
Group A
Group A fixtures
Sunday 30 July
Group A – who needs what to qualify?
Switzerland will qualify with a win or a draw against New Zealand. Defeat could even be enough, unless the Philippines beat Norway.
New Zealand will qualify with a win but a defeat will see them knocked out. If the Football Ferns draw, they will qualify if the Philippines draw with Norway, but they will be out if the Filipinas win while a Norway win would leave their fate to be decided by the tie-breaking criteria.
The Philippines will qualify with a win, but if they lose, they are out. If the Filipinas draw, they will qualify if Switzerland beat New Zealand, but they will be out if that match finishes in a draw, while a Football Ferns win leaves their fate to be decided by the tie-breaking criteria.
Norway must win to have any chance of going through. If they lose or draw, they are out. Norway will be through if they win and Switzerland beat New Zealand. But their fate will be decided by the tie-breaking criteria if the Football Ferns win or draw with Switzerland.
Group B
Group B fixtures
Canada v Australia – 31 July
Republic of Ireland v Nigeria – 31 July
Group B – who needs what to qualify?
Nigeria will qualify for the next phase with a win or a draw against Republic of Ireland. They can lose and go through if Canada defeat Australia, otherwise tie-breakers come into play.
Canada are through with a win or a draw against Australia. If they lose and Nigeria are also beaten, then tie-breakers will be required to separate the two.
Australia must win against Canada to be certain of reaching the Round of 16. Their only other potential route would be a draw coupled with a defeat for Nigeria, which would bring in tie-breakers.
Republic of Ireland have been eliminated.
Group C
Group C fixtures
Monday 31 July
Spain and Japan have qualified.
Costa Rica and Zambia are eliminated.
First and second place will be decided by the Japan-Spain match on 31 July.
Group D
Group D fixtures
China PR v England – 1 August
Haiti v Denmark – 1 August
Group D – who needs what to qualify?
England only need a draw against China PR to top the group. Even a defeat could see them progress as Group D winners, unless Denmark defeat Haiti, in which case tie-breakers would be required to separate the Lionesses, China PR and Denmark.
Denmark are through if they win, unless England lose to China PR, in which case tie-breakers will be required. A draw would be enough for the Danes, provided the Lionesses win. If both games finish level then tie-breakers will be required between Denmark and China.
China PR can go through with a win against England, but if Denmark beat Haiti then the three teams on six points will be separated by tie-breakers. A draw would be sufficient for the Asian side if Haiti defeat Denmark. Draws in both games would see a tie-breaker between China PR and Denmark. Defeat for China PR would leave them relying on a Haiti victory and tie-breakers.
Haiti must win against Denmark and hope England defeat China PR to have any chance of going through via the tie-break criteria.
Group E
Group E fixtures
Portugal v USA – 1 August
Vietnam v Netherlands – 1 August
Group E – who needs what to qualify?
USA will qualify for the next phase with a win or a draw against Portugal.
Netherlands go through with a win or a draw against Vietnam. They can lose and go through provided USA defeat Portugal.
Portugal will qualify if they defeat USA. A draw would be enough if Vietnam beat Netherlands.
Vietnam have been eliminated.
Group F
Group F fixtures
Panama v France – 2 August
Jamaica v Brazil – 2 August
Group F – who needs what to qualify?
France only need a point against Panama. They could even progress with a defeat, if Jamaica overcome Brazil.
Jamaica will reach the Round of 16 with a win or a draw against Brazil. Tie-breakers would come into play if the Reggae Girlz are beaten and Panama defeat France.
Brazil know they must win against Jamaica to be sure of progress. A draw would only be enough if Panama defeat France. Otherwise, Pia Sundhage’s side will exit at the group stage.
Panama have been eliminated.
Group G
Group G fixtures
Argentina v Sweden – 2 August
South Africa v Italy – 2 August
Sweden have already qualified and look set to progress as group winners given their superior goal difference (+6) compared to Italy (-4).
Italy will qualify with a victory over South Africa, while a draw would be enough unless Argentina defeat Sweden. Defeat will see them eliminated.
South Africa must win against Italy to have any chance of going through. Tie-breakers will be required if Argentina defeat Sweden.
Argentina must win, but could still be eliminated on four points. Their only direct route to the last 16 is victory over Sweden and a draw between South Africa and Italy. The South American side will be out if Italy win, and second place would go to tie-breaking criteria if South Africa are victorious.
Group H
Group H fixtures
Germany v Colombia – 30 July
Korea Republic v Morocco – 30 July
Korea Republic v Germany – 3 August
Morocco v Colombia – 3 August
Group H – who needs what to qualify?
Germany can qualify with victory over Colombia if Morocco avoid defeat against Korea Republic.
Colombia will go through if they defeat Germany and Korea Republic win or draw against Morocco.
Korea Republic will be eliminated with a defeat, coupled with Germany winning or drawing against Colombia.
Morocco are out if they lose and Colombia win or draw against Germany.
Tie-breakers
If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points after the completion of the group stage, the following criteria, in the order below, shall be applied to determine the ranking:
1 – Superior goal difference
2 – Greater number of goals scored
But it doesn’t stop there…
What are the group-stage tie-breakers at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023?
The tournament will consist of eight groups of four teams for the first time in history, with the top two from each group advancing to the knockout stages.
If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points after the completion of the group stage, the following criteria, in the order below, shall be applied to determine the ranking:
1 – Superior goal difference
2 – Greater number of goals scored
If the above criteria is also level between two or more teams, the following criteria are applied:
3 – Greater number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned 4 – Superior goal difference from the group matches between the teams concerned 5 – Greater number of goals scored in the group matches between the teams concerned
If the above criteria is also level between two or more teams, the Fair Play criteria are applied:
6 – The team with the highest number of points shall be ranked highest. Only one of the below deductions shall be applied to a player in a single match.
- Yellow card – minus 1 point
- Indirect red card (as a result of two yellow cards) – minus 3 points
- Direct red card – minus 4 points
- Yellow card and a direct red card – minus 5 points
7 – In the unlikely event that all previous criteria are level, lots will be drawn to determine which side advances.
Source: FIFA.com
