The Women’s World Cup Groups Ranked: Easiest to Group of Death
The Women’s World Cup is quickly approaching, and the anticipation will continue to rise as we countdown the days to one of the biggest events in the world. The Group Stage is one of the best parts of the tournament because there are nonstop high-level games every single day.
The Group of Death is a popular term coined since the 1970 Men’s World Cup in Mexico. This summer Group F, featuring France, Brazil, Jamaica, and Panama, has been dubbed the new Group of Death, with one team truly left to face the heartbreak of going home early.
But what about the rest of the groups, who will have an easier road to the next round versus a gauntlet to run through? We’ve ranked the World Cup groups for you and included their FIFA rankings as of March 24th next to them. However, don’t be fooled by the FIFA Rankings. They don’t mean everything.
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Group G: Sweden (3), Italy (16), Argentina (28), South Africa (54)
Group G comes in as the easiest group because South Africa is here for the first time, and Argentina hasn’t won a game at the World Cup in nine tries.
Sweden is the clear-cut winner of this group, and Italy isn’t the strongest second team in the group but shouldn’t have much trouble with Argentina or South Africa. If Italy does, then this group could be chaotic, but for the most part, Sweden and Italy should have no issues advancing, making it the easiest group.
Group A: Norway (12), Switzerland (20), New Zealand (25), Philippines (49)
Norway has the most talent in this group by far and should have no trouble with New Zealand or the Philippines.
Switzerland vs. New Zealand will be the key fixture that controls the outcome of who advances and who doesn’t. The Swiss feature stars like Ramona Bachmann and Alisha Lehmann to carry them through, whereas New Zealand still has yet to win a game at the World Cup.
However, New Zealand could end that run with a win over the Philippines and actually advance if they can defeat Switzerland. It will be a fun group, but the total strength of all four teams combined isn’t the highest.
Group E: USA (1), Netherlands (8), Portugal (21), Vietnam (33)
One thing that the United States won’t have to worry about is getting out of this group.
The Netherlands are without their superstar Vivianne Miedema, which will be an uphill climb to try and beat the United States. Holland should still have more than enough star power to beat Portugal and Vietnam, making this group cut and dry as well.
Portugal and Vietnam have qualified for the first time, and those teams usually struggle. Yet, the United States and the Netherlands together make it a stronger group than Group G or Group A.
Group H: Germany (2), South Korea (17), Colombia (26), Morocco (73)
Germany might be flying under the radar because of all the attention England has been getting since winning Euro 2022. They are not going to have much of a fuss being top dogs in this group, with South Korea sure to give them the most trouble as possibly the second-best team.
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The wild card in this group is Colombia because they pose a real threat to South Korea as a team that could take their spot. Colombia made it to the Round of 16 at the 2015 World Cup. They’ve shown what it takes to win a World Cup game. All eyes should be on South Korea vs. Colombia because it could dictate how the standings end up when it’s all said and done.
Morocco qualified for the first time and is the second-lowest-ranked team in the whole tournament. If they score a goal, it’ll be a big deal.
Group C: Spain(7), Japan(11), Costa Rica(36), Zambia(77)
This is a tough group to call because three of the four teams have a chance to make it out. Spain and Japan are the top two teams in the group, and rightfully so, but Costa Rica has a real chance to beat either Spain or Japan.
The Costa Ricans are solid defensively and are used to playing great opponents like the United States and Canada. They will not shy away from the moment, and I might even like Costa Rica to advance from this group over Spain or Japan.
Zambia is the lowest-ranked team in this tournament but is also at the World Cup for the first time, which is a big deal. Zambia brings the group down slightly, but the other three teams make it a strong group.
Group D: England(4), China(13), Denmark(15), Haiti(53)
England will feel a bit unlucky to end up with this group based on rankings, but this is where I disagree with FIFA.
China has not performed up to the level that the country has invested in. They don’t have the benefit of playing strong teams in Asia, just Japan and South Korea. China’s record this year against European teams was 0-2-2, which means they could struggle against England and Denmark, who have some superstars of their own.
Haiti is another team that is way better than their ranking suggests. All their key offensive players play in D1 Arkema in France, and their teenage superstar Melchie Dumornay just signed with Lyon, one of the biggest clubs in the world. You’re gonna know a lot about Dumornay and Haiti regardless of whether they make it out of the group or not.
Group B: Canada(6), Australia(10), Ireland(22), Nigeria(42)
This, to me, should be the actual Group of Death. I have no clue who got together and voted and declared Group F to be it, but Group B, to me, has to be in the discussion. In my eyes, all four teams have a chance to make it out of this group, and when that’s the case, that should be the Group of Death, but that’s just me.
Canada and Australia will be the two teams expected to come out of this group, especially Australia as hosts. But can you honestly say Ireland doesn’t have a chance to pull off one upset after watching how impressive they looked against the USWNT?
On top of that, Nigeria has one of the best players in the world in Asisat Oshoala. When you have a player who is that good to go with some solid surrounding talent, anything is possible. This group is the best for me. Anyone can emerge from this group.
Group F: France(5), Brazil(9), Jamaica(43), Panama(52)
France and Brazil are the two best teams in this group, but Jamaica will certainly have something to say about that. Khadija “Bunny” Shaw had arguably the best year of her career for Manchester City and is the focal point for the Reggae Girlz.
Jamaica’s best chance to get out of this group will be to beat Brazil. However, Brazil have rebuilt their program with younger stars, and this could be their time to make a run.
France will be one of the favorites to win it all, and they should be the first-place team out of the Group of Death. It’s a bit of tough luck for Panama because we know from CONCACAF matches that they will fight hard to the bitter end and make it difficult for whoever they’re playing against.
Overall, this group is the toughest, but it’s the World Cup, every single game matters to someone in some way. That is what’s amazing about the beautiful game.
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