With one of the most competitive group stages in Women's World Cup history in the rearview mirror, all eyes turn to what is bound to be a dramatic knockout round.
Whether it was goalkeepers stepping up in big moments, or defenses holding firm against some of the most prolific attacks in the world, this World Cup has more than exemplified the fact that the gap between the top and bottom is beginning to close. Eight debutants were featured in Australia and New Zealand with one of them remarkably moving on out of Group H. Even those who fell short, it was evident they held their own.
Unlike other tournaments of the past in women's football, this one is simply unpredictable. Anybody can be beaten on any given day. It is not best of three, it is win or go home. Those are the stakes. This is what every professional footballer dreams of when growing their love for the greatest game the world.
32 teams have shrunk down to 16. Three out of FIFA's Top 10 will not be in the last 16 of this World Cup. The path to the World Cup final is set. Here is where the last 16 nations within this 2023 Women's World Cup rank before the chaos ensues.
2023 Women's World Cup: Ranking all 16 knockout stage teams
No. 16: Morocco
FIFA Ranking: 72
Reynald Pedros' Morocco began the tournament with a 6-0 defeat to the 2022 runners-up at the European championships. 10 days after that match, the Lionesses of Atlas upset Colombia to qualify for the knockout stage instead of Germany. Pedros' side is the only nation with a negative goal differential to advantage into the Round of 16. Back-to-back 1-0 triumphs against South Korea and Colombia to pull off the remarkable. Goals from former Paris Saint-Germain youth player Anissa Lahmari, and forward Ibtissam Jraïdi were the differences.
Not only is it one of the biggest surprises in Women's World Cup history, it has to be considered one of the most shocking results in general World Cup lore. Morocco was not a part of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations tournament between 2002 through 2020. The No. 72 ranked team according to FIFA was given the right to host the competition.
With that, Pedros' team went all the way to the final, defeating African powerhouse Nigeria on penalties before falling short against South Africa. While this story may conclude against the French, Morocco demonstrated to the entire football world that even though you may be down, there is always a way to get back up.
No. 15: South Africa
FIFA Ranking: 54
Nobody would have imagined in their second-ever World Cup that Banyana Banyana would be advancing past the group stage. From the get-go, South Africa's coach Desiree Ellis preached ambitions far beyond anyone on the outside would have fathomed was possible. From being one of the first players to feature in the first-ever South Africa WNT match to leading her home country into the last 16, Ellis is truly the definition of a pioneer.
Her team competed its hearts out in all three group stage matches behind Racing Louisville star attacker Thembi Kgatlana. Banyana Banyana had a one goal lead against the No. 3 ranked team in the world and were less than 20 minutes away from taking down Argentina by multiple goals. While the African outfit conceded a significant amount, it was clear putting the ball in the back of the net was not a problem. The next opponent for Ellis' team is the Group E winner, the Netherlands on August 6. Without a doubt, the South Africans will be underdogs, but that has not stopped them at all before so far during this competition.
No. 14: Jamacia
FIFA Ranking: 43
Similar to both Nigeria, and South Africa, Jamacia punched its ticket into the knockout stage without the support of its own federation in the background. In what was a group packed with two top-10 nations in women's football, the Reggae Girlz pieced together some of the most stunning defensive performances of this competition.
The organization. The grit. The composure. It was all undeniable from a team that was cut back in 2010 by the Jamaica Football Federation due to lack of funding. Now, this small country in Central America has a reason to believe. Even when the odds are against you, all it takes is a team and a well-structured game plan in order to get the job done. Similar to the group stage in 2019, Lorne Donaldson's side failed to put a single shot into the back of the net. All that did not matter. Superstar forward Khadija Shaw took a beating up front while the backline consistently held its ground with some of the most elusive attackers sprinting in its direction.
No. 13: Colombia
FIFA Ranking: 25
Colombia's defeat to Morocco in the final match day of Group H ended up not costing it. The German's inability to get the job done against Colin Bell's South Korea saw the South American outfit win a group that featured a two-time World Cup winner. It is the second time in the last three World Cups that Colombia has found a way into the Round of 16.
Star youngster Linda Caicedo has been one of the top storylines of the tournament, scoring an absolute screamer against Germany. The 18-year-old leads her team into an intriguing knockout stage matchup against a defensively sound Jamaican side. The South American side has faced off against the Reggae Girlz twice before in the past with the teams winning a game apiece.
No. 12: Nigeria
FIFA Ranking: 40
Not Canada, but Nigeria powered its way out of the "group of death" along with Australia. Despite the lack of support from its own federation and the drama that ensued ahead of the tournament, Randy Waldrum's team went unbeaten in the most difficult group. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was remarkable for the Super Falcons through three matches, keeping two clean sheets while saving a penalty from international soccer's all-time leading scorer.
Similar to its fellow African teams, and the Reggae Girlz, this qualification meant a whole lot given the struggle it took to get there. Defensively, Waldrum's team held down the fort, supporting the true strength of this side, its attacking players. Asisat Oshoala, Ifeoma Onumonu among others have that quality and finishing gene to unlock even the best backlines. Drawing England is incredibly unlucky, but for the Super Falcons to even reach this point deserves immense plaudits.
No. 11: Denmark
FIFA Ranking: 13
In its first Women's World Cup since 2007, Denmark's WNT did what it had to do in a group with the Lionesses. Pernille Harder and the Danes took down China in the most dramatic of fashions to kick off the World Cup. Following a defeat to the defending European champions, the Danish eliminated Haiti in Perth, Australia by way of a convincing two-goal display. The hosts, Australia awaits in the knockout round, an opponent no nation wants to see following its thumping of Canada to finish off Group B play.
A lot is going to be on the weight of Bayern Munich attacker Harder. She does have support though from the likes of Arsenal's Kathrine Kühl in the midfield, and Karen Holmgaard in the backline just to name a few. Whatever happens for this nation going forward is a bonus. The Red and White won just one match last summer during the Euros, bowing out in the group stage. For a national team that has made it past the group stage for the first time since 1995 this year, the 2023 World Cup is without question a sign of a turning point.
No. 10: Switzerland
FIFA Ranking: 20
The only group to have four teams fall short of six points was Group A. Inka Grings' Switzerland finished as the group winners. It began the competition on a positive note, taking down debutants, the Philippines by a score of 2-0. The Swiss concluded group play with back-to-back 0-0 matches against co-hosts New Zealand, and fellow European outfit Norway.
This is Switzerland's second appearance at a Women's World Cup, reaching the round of 16 on both occasions. The fact that this team has only won one game so far during the 2023 calendar year is a bit concerning with win-or-go-home matches up next. Despite winning the group, the Swiss receive a brutal draw, encountering the Spanish at the top of the knockout stage bracket.
No. 9: Norway
FIFA Ranking: 12
Even though the Norwegians finished behind Switzerland in Group A, it was the way they finished group play that puts them a spot better than the Swiss. Six goals including three by Sophie Román Haug gave the European power a triumph over the Group A debutant and a knockout stage berth. From the jump, it was looking as if the 12th-ranked team in the world was going to be packing its bags after three games.
When Hannah Wilkinson's strike found the back of the net, and Caroline Graham Hansen was left out of the starting XI against the Red Crosses, Hege Riise's team looked doomed. The quality finally showed when their backs were against the wall. Japan, one of the competition's most in-form teams may be on the horizon, but this Norway team is a lot better than a Group A runners-up. The Norwegians built vital confidence heading into the Round of 16 with the hope that their individual talent guides them into the quarterfinals for the seventh time.
No. 8: Netherlands
FIFA Ranking: 9
Andries Jonker and the Netherlands WNT took care of business like the USWNT should have in the first place. The Dutch used a 7-0 trouncing of Vietnam to finish atop Group E, ahead of the two-time defending world champions. With a new coach at the helm compared to the one that was in charge during the Euros, and plenty of experience playing deep into world tournaments, this Netherlands team is more than capable of going the distance.
Only Japan found the back of the net more frequently than Jonker's team with its most potent striker in the front line. Jill Roord has been brilliant in front of goal while youngster Esmee Brugts has taken the opportunities she has been given. The 2019 finalists will reap the benefits of a competition filled with upsets. South Africa is next on tap for this in-form Dutch side that has completely run its opposition off the pitch in three out of the last four halves of football.
No. 7: Sweden
FIFA Ranking: 3
Once South Africa could not get the job done against them in the first match, there was nobody that was going to stop the Swedes. Peter Gerhardsson's Sweden amassed a goal differential of eight, tied for second-best among the last 16, behind only the Japanese. Amanda Ilestedt, and Rebecka Blomqvist both have multi goals to their name heading into the knockout round. A 5-0 walloping of Italy put the rest of the pack on notice.
The Group G winners will take on the USWNT in the Round of 16, and if the defending world champions play the way they did against Portugal, Gerhardsson's team should have no issues. Former Chelsea captain Magdalena Eriksson has been that steady force in the backline while wingers like Jonna Andersson have provided that consistent service into the forwards. Similar to many of the teams in the top eight or nine in this list, any one of them could lift the World Cup. The path may be one of the toughest, but its current form in addition to its history make this nation a team to beat.
No. 6: Australia
FIFA Ranking: 10
Talk about a decisive way to reach the last 16. While the first two matches were battles, Australia let the world know its true colors in game No. 3. The co-hosts were without Sam Kerr, the world's most potent striker for the entire group stage. That didn't matter to Tony Gustavsson's team. After an awakening against Nigeria, the Matildas squashed the defending Olympic Gold Medalists Canada to clinch Group B.
Kerr made the bench against the Canadians, but the performance allowed the coaching staff to rest her for even longer. When they take on the Danish in the knockout round, No. 20 is more than likely going to be back into the lineup. In Kerr's absence, Steph Catley took the captain's armband, scoring two goals. Katrina Gorry have been sensational in the midfield for Australia while Hayley Raso is the only player on the team with two goals in the run of play. With the entire nation behind them, the Matildas seek to become the first host nation since the United States in 1999 to win the Women's World Cup.
No. 5: Spain
FIFA Ranking: 6
The Spanish are quite an interesting side at the moment. Jorge Vilda, and Spain's WNT cruised to two easy wins against Costa Rica and Zambia. When the European outfit clashed with Japan to conclude Group C play, it received a lesson in counter-attacking football. The Japanese had just 22 percent of the possession but managed to find the back of the net four times while putting five of their seven shots on target.
It was the first time the team conceded just one goal since April 6 when Norway scored twice in a 4-2 victory for the Spanish. The positive, Vilda's team will not have to go head-to-head with Caroline Graham Hansen in the Round of 16. It is not the way you want to finish out group stage play, but the reality is, you may be in a better position than the team that finished above you. Vilda's side is littered with world-class players. That display against the Japanese was a wake-up call. The Spanish are much better than that. With the number of world-class talents including Alexia Putellas in the squad, Spain is more than capable of rebounding.
No. 4: France
FIFA Ranking: 5
Similar to almost every top contender heading into this World Cup, France did not come out of the gate swinging. Rightfully so given the fact that a new head coach had been appointed a few months ago. Following a 0-0 draw against Jamacia, Hervé Renard's French team used an 83′ winner to edge past Brazil, and six goals to trounce CONCACAF outfit Panama. It will not be the Germany-France knockout stage matchup we all wanted to see. Les Bleues run up against the biggest underdog story of the tournament, Morocco.
Kadidiatou Diani has led the charge for the European power, contributing to four goals while Grace Geyoro, and Sandie Toletti have been instrumental in the distribution in the midfield. There is no better set-piece threat in the world of women's football than Wendie Renard. That has been and will always be an incredible X-factor for the French like it was against the Brazilians. The quality of shots that France's defense is giving up is quite the problem for this team. If Renard's team wants to reach the last four, it is going to have to score multiple goals in each game.
No. 3: United States
FIFA Ranking: 1
The USWNT earned a spot into the knockout stage by the width of a goal post. Two draws following a 3-0 triumph over Vietnam allowed the two-time defending world champions to finish as the Group E runners-up. While the backline has been impressive behind youngster Naomi Girma and Julie Ertz, Vlatko Andonovski is going to have to find solutions in the frontline and midfield.
He seems to wait until the very last minute to make changes in the second half. There is no tomorrow anymore for the United States. If it is not working mid-game, Andonovski must switch it up. The path into the Round of 16 is not very significant. The USWNT has all the tools to flip the switch whenever it wants. None of what has transpired in their second straight title defense has gone the way of the Stars and Stripes. This team has players that have done this before. In 2011 under Pia Sundhage, the USWNT reached the World Cup final after finishing as runners-up to Sweden in Group C. In 2015, the team netted just four goals in the group stage, using its backline to take down three teams before slotting in five goals against Japan in the final.
No. 2: Japan
FIFA Ranking: 11
From the beginning of the group stage to the end, no team was more impressive than Japan. Futoshi Ikeda's scored 11 goals, and let in none. Hinata Miyazawa is one of three Japanese players with multiple goals so far during this World Cup. It has never been about how long Ikeda's team had the ball at its feet. The Asian outfit was extremely efficient in the chances that came its way in the final third. The Japanese men took down the Spanish back in December in the 2022 World Cup, months later, the women did the same thing.
There are no meaningless passes. Everything Japan has done during the group stages in the final third has been purposeful. It is both direct, and patient at the same time. Norway is going to have to be sound defensively when the Japanese strike on the counter if the most impressive side through the group stages were to pack its bags before the quarterfinals. In two out of the last three time Japan has reached the Round of 16, it has finished as either the world champions, or runners-up.
No. 1: England
FIFA Ranking: 4
Lauren James. That pretty much sums up the Lionesses group stage performance. The Chelsea winger was a magician, contributing to six of the team's eight goals. Sarina Wiegman's lineup change for the Denmark match where she moved Rachel Daly back into the defense allowed for James to cause havoc in the Lionesses' frontline. It is not how you start, it is how you finish. Back-to-back 1-0 victories raised concerns, but beating the Chinese 6-1 put all of those to bed. England's path to the semifinals is arguably one of the easiest. If the Lionesses matchup with Nigeria, the No. 40 ranked team in the world with the winner taking on either Jamacia or the attack-minded Colombia.
The defending European champions are the current favorites to win the world title with the United States scraping its way in the knockouts. Led by captain Millie Bright at center back, the English have yet to concede a goal in the run of play during this tournament. When they need to, the Lionesses can rely on their defense. Injuries are a concern, but this team has both the coach and the depth to go the distance.
The 2023 Women's World Cup knockout stage begins on Saturday, August 5 at 1:00 a.m. EST with Spain vs. Switzerland on FOX Sports at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
