Fifa Women’s World Cup 2023
Hosts: Australia and New Zealand Dates: 20 July-20 August
Coverage: Live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app. Full coverage details;Latest news
Half of the 32 teams are heading home, but which of the sides left standing will survive all the way to the Women’s World Cup final at Stadium Australia in Sydney on 20 August?
Eight more nations will have their dreams dashed after the first knockout round, which includes England against Nigeria and holders USA against Sweden.
BBC Sport football expert Rachel Brown-Finnis is predicting the outcome of all 64 matches at the tournament and correctly guessed the outcome of 27 of the 48 group games.
Before the tournament, she chose eight of the 16 teams that are through to the first knockout stage, including the Lionesses, who she believes will win the tournament
| Last-16 games | Score | Brown-Finnis’ prediction |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 5 August | ||
| Switzerland v Spain | x-x | 0-2 |
| Japan v Norway | x-x | 2-0 |
| Sunday, 6 August | ||
| Netherlands v South Africa | x-x | 2-1 |
| Sweden v USA | x-x | 2-1 AET |
| Monday, 7 August | ||
| England v Nigeria | x-x | 2-0 |
| Australia v Denmark | x-x | 2-1 AET |
| Tuesday, 8 August | ||
| Colombia v Jamaica | x-x | 2-0 |
| France v Morocco | x-x | 1-0 |
AET = After extra time
Saturday, 5 August
Switzerland v Spain (Auckland, 06:00 BST)
Along with Japan and Jamaica, Switzerland are one of only three teams not to concede a goal so far at this World Cup.
The Swiss have focused on being difficult to break down, but that approach was justified by them finishing top of Group A.
In contrast, Spain have scored lots of goals and created plenty of chances - they had 78 shots in their first three games, compared to 24 by Switzerland.
Spain will be smarting from their defeat by Japan in their final group game, but what happened then might help them here.
They should be a bit more careful about being caught on the counter-attack this time, and although the Swiss will make it hard for them, Spain’s firepower should see them through.
Brown-Finnis’ prediction: 0-2
Japan v Norway (Wellington, 09:00)
I thought Norway were down and out after they lost their first game to New Zealand. They have turned it around, but still are a bit fortunate to be in the last 16.
Japan, in contrast, have been sensational. They have appeared unbeatable so far and look like one of the best teams in the tournament.
The way this World Cup has been going, with the number of shocks we have already seen, that probably means Japan are going out - but based on the way they have been playing, they will surely win this tie.
Brown-Finnis’ prediction: 2-0
Sunday, 6 August
Netherlands v South Africa (Sydney, 03:00)
South Africa have done brilliantly to reach the knockout stage for the first time at a World Cup and their group was another one that was so exciting - it was in the balance until the very end.
Banyana Banyana have scored at least once in every game so far, including against Sweden, and I am backing them to do the same here.
But I have to go with Netherlands to go through. The Dutch seem to have found some form at exactly the right time.
Brown-Finnis’ prediction: 2-1
Sweden v USA (Melbourne, 10:00)
What a game this is. These two teams were probably expecting to be meeting each other a lot further down the line, and how strange it is for the USA to be seen as underdogs.
Sweden deserve to be the favourites in this tie, though. They have been very good at both ends of the pitch so far, especially on set-pieces, and I can see them winning it - although it could go the distance and require extra time.
The USA still have a lot of quality, but they haven’t clicked yet. They don’t appear to have much confidence or consistency when they come forward.
That lack of cutting edge could cost them here, and see them fail to make the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in their history.
Brown-Finnis’ prediction: 2-1 after extra time
Monday, 7 August
England v Nigeria (Brisbane, 08:30)
The way this World Cup has gone appears to have opened up an easier path to the semi-finals than England probably expected. Germany and Brazil are out, so the winner of this tie will play Colombia or Jamaica next.
It would be foolish to think that far ahead, though, because we have to get past Nigeria first and they are going to be very hard to score against. We can’t take anything for granted.
Nigeria will concede possession, so England will see a lot of the ball like we did against China, but they are stronger at the back and we will have to be careful of their threat on the break.
England have played against plenty of teams like this before, though, and Sarina Wiegman’s side will be ready.
The Lionesses have got so many attacking options now, and I feel like they will have the tools and the tactics to break Nigeria down.
Brown-Finnis’ prediction: 2-0
Australia v Denmark (Sydney, 11:30)
A capacity crowd of around 80,000 is expected at Stadium Australia for this game and the atmosphere is going to be absolutely incredible.
I’d love to see Sam Kerr back in action for Australia, and I’d love to see the Matildas go through.
I think the tournament needs the co-hosts to progress, but Denmark’s defence is going to make things very difficult for them, and they might need some of Kerr’s magic to make the difference.
Brown-Finnis’ prediction: 2-1 After extra time
Tuesday, 8 August
Colombia v Jamaica (Melbourne, 09:00)
Colombia have been my surprise team of the tournament so far, and they fully deserve to be in the last 16.
They’ve been brilliantly organised and have come up with some big moments in attack - their last-gasp winner against Germany was technically excellent, in the way it was created and scored.
Jamaica have shown a lot of resolve too, but Colombia have more ideas when it comes to unlocking the opposition.
Whoever progresses, though, It’s just been brilliant to see unfancied teams like this upset the established sides.
They have added flair and colour, but also excellence - and made it the best World Cup I’ve ever watched.
Some nations came into the tournament with grumblings or grievances about their preparations, or without much World Cup experience, but they have shown everyone why they want to be heard and seen, and it is great for the game.
Brown-Finnis’ prediction: 2-0
France v Morocco (Adelaide, 12:00)
Morocco have learned very quickly what it takes to play at a World Cup, and how they obviously could not continue to be as open as they were when they lost 6-0 to Germany in their opening game.
Everyone thought they might go on to suffer some more heavy defeats in Group H but, instead, they did not concede another goal.
France, meanwhile, have stumbled through a bit. They ended up top of Group F, but they have not looked especially convincing so far.
I started this tournament backing many of the European teams to do well in these predictions because of their experience, and also because I know more about more of their players.
But a lot of results have not gone as expected because standards are rising everywhere, Morocco - who are ranked 72nd in the world - are a great example of a team that has shaken the established order up.
They have confidence and momentum and, while I don’t think they will have quite enough to beat France and cause another upset, they will push them very close.
Brown-Finnis’ prediction: 1-0
