2023 Women's World Cup: What Countries Qualified for Round of 16?

Round of 16 play is about to begin at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

As of August 1, sixteen countries have now secured a spot in the Round of 16, while sixteen had been technically eliminated from the ongoing FIFA Women's World Cup in New Zealand and Australia. 

The Group B matches on Monday saw Australia and Nigeria advance. Group winners, Australia advanced along with runners-up Super Falcons of Nigeria, ahead of Canada and Ireland.

Both Spain and Japan advanced from Group C after winning their first two matches.

In addition, the top two teams from Group A, Switzerland and Norway, advanced to the round of 16.

After two games, Sweden already leads Group G with six points and can guarantee first place in the group with a draw against Argentina, and automatic qualification.

Both England and Denmark advanced from Group D to the second round. Also in Group E, the Netherlands and the United States.

Brazil were sent home after winning only one game in Group F against Panama. Panama then lost to France and drew to Jamaica - a result that sent the Jamica right through to the knockouts. South Africa also qualified for their first ever Round of 16 at a Women’s World Cup. They finished second in Group G, above Italy and Argentina.

Thus, Switzerland, Norway, Australia, Nigeria, Japan, Spain, England, Denmark, Netherlands, USA, France, Jamaica, Sweden, South Africa, Colombia and Morocco all qualified for the Round of 16 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

Moving forward, the competition becomes a true knockout affair as there is no point system in place. No rankings are kept. There is only one victor and one vanquished. Group champions will face the runners-up from the other groups in the round of 16.

Each match in the Round of 16 and all future knockout round matches (quarterfinals, semifinals, match for third place, final) must have a winner on the day they are played.

After 90 minutes of regular, if the score is still tied, 30 minutes of overtime will be played. If the score is still tied after 30 minutes of extra time, the winner will be decided by a penalty shootout.

Here's how the Round of 16 would play out:

Saturday- 

Switzerland vs Spain (6am)

Japan vs Norway (9am)

Sunday-

Netherlands vs South Africa (3am)

Sweden vs USA (10am)

Monday-

England vs Nigeria (8.30am)

Australia vs Denmark (11.30am)

Tuesday-

Colombia vs Jamaica (9am)

France vs Morocco (12pm)