With the group stage at the 2023 women’s World Cup heading into the second and third matchdays, some teams have already booked a spot in the knockout stage. While their exact spot in the bracket won’t be known until the conclusion of the stage, they’ll be in the bracket no matter what happens in the final match. Here’s a look at the teams that will be participating in the round of 16 at the 2023 competition.
Who has qualified for World Cup round of 16 in knockout bracket
Spain (Group C)
Spain rolled through their first two matches in group play. They beat Costa Rica 3-0 and then beat Zambia 5-0 to clinch a spot in the knockout stage. If they tie or beat Japan, they will win the group. Spain was -20000 to advance out of the knockout stage when the tournament began.
Japan (Group C)
Japan beat Zambia 5-0 in their first match and then beat Costa Rica 2-0 in their second match to secure advancement. They trail Spain by one goal in goal differential and thus need a win in the final match to win the group. Spain was -400 to advance out of the knockout stage when the tournament began.
Sweden (Group G)
Sweden thumped Italy 5-0 to secure advancement after two matches in the group stage. They beat South Africa 2-1 in their opener. Ahead of the tournament, Sweden entered with -5000 odds to advance out of the knockout stage and -550 odds to win the group. They can clinch the group even with a loss to Argentina if Italy does not win their match against South Africa by at least a ten goal differential.
Norway (Group A)
It took a few matches and some difficult lineup decisions but Norway finally broke out at the 2023 World Cup and secured a spot in the knockout stage. This looked more like the team that is just outside the top 10 in the FIFA rankings as opposed to the one which was rattled through the first two group stage games. We’ll see if this goal explosion helps Norway rediscover their form in the knockout round.
Switzerland (Group A)
There wasn’t much to do for Switzerland in this contest, as they could clinch a spot in the round of 16 with a win or draw. There was a lot of defending for the European side and despite a few late tense moments, they secured a scoreless draw to advance to the knockout stage.
Nigeria (Group B)
The Super Falcons were longshots to advance out of the group, but they managed to hold on late against all three of their opponents to secure points in each game. Nigeria made the knockout round in 2019 as well, so this is back-to-back appearances in the round of 16 for the side.
Australia (Group B)
The co-hosts went about their business in emphatic fashion, dominating Canada 4-0 in the final match to win Group B and advance to the knockout stage for the fifth straight World Cup. Sam Kerr got another match to rest her calf, and she’s set to be available as the business end of the competition begins.
Netherlands (Group E)
The Dutch win the group after a 1-1 draw against the favored United States, and a pair of wins over Vietnam and Portugal. Esmee Brugts had a pair of wonder strikes against Vietnam in a 7-0 blowout, but the organization of the side and cohesiveness is what makes them a threat to win the title.
United States (Group E)
To call their advancement anything but an epic disaster is simply lying. The two-time defending champions scored one goal in their last two matches, the results being two draws. They look unorganized, without a plan, simply vacuous in the center of the park, and lacking any kind of threat in the attacking final third. Manager Vlatko Andonovski needs to make changes immediately to not get blown off the pitch, and the USA’s best player in Rose Lavelle won’t be available vs. Sweden due to yellow card accumulation.
England (Group D)
England won all three of their group stage games to advance to the Round of 16, but struggled to create comfortable distance until their latest win. They beat Haiti and Denmark 1-0, scoring against Haiti on a penalty kick and against Denmark six minutes into the game. They finally were able to put a more cohesive offensive attack together with a 6-1 victory over China.
Denmark (Group D)
Denmark kicked things off with a 1-0 win over China, scoring in the 89th minute to put themselves over the top. They fell to England 1-0, unable to come back after an early goal, and defeated Haiti 2-0 to advance to the knockouts.
South Africa (Group G)
It looked like the South Africans were going to go home after Italy’s second goal, but Thembi Kgatlana found a winner in stoppage time to send Banyana Banyana through to the round of 16. After getting torched in the group stage in 2019, South Africa showed tremendous improvement this time around and are going to the round of 16.
France (Group F)
It was a simple equation for France; win or draw against Panama and qualify for the knockout stage. The French put on a dominant performance, making it back-to-back victories in the group stage for the European side to advance to a fourth straight knockout round at the World Cup.
Jamaica (Group F)
It took 90 minutes plus stoppage time of tremendous defense to stave off Brazil, but the Caribbean side got the job done to get the draw they needed to make the knockout stage. It’s the first round of 16 appearance for Jamaica and after getting rocked in the group stage in 2019, this is welcome progress for the country.
Colombia (Group H)
Colombia were in a strong position heading into the final group stage match, only needing to avoid a true blowout loss to maintain a spot in the round of 16. The South American side get into the knockout stage and will now look to get back to scoring goals.
Morocco (Group H)
The African side got their big win, and also got help with South Korea getting a draw over Germany to send the No. 2 ranked side home. Morocco was a World Cup debutant and is now in the round of 16.