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Women’s World Cup Power Rankings: Re-ranking all 16 teams after the group stage

By Caden Charpentier

TOPSHOT - Japan's midfielder #07 Hinata Miyazawa celebrates with her teammates after scoring her team's first goal during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup Group C football match between Japan and Spain at Wellington Stadium, also known as Sky Stadium, in Wellington on July 31, 2023. (Photo by Marty MELVILLE / AFP) (Photo by MARTY MELVILLE/AFP via Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - Japan's midfielder #07 Hinata Miyazawa celebrates with her teammates after scoring her team's first goal during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup Group C football match between Japan and Spain at Wellington Stadium, also known as Sky Stadium, in Wellington on July 31, 2023. (Photo by Marty MELVILLE / AFP) (Photo by MARTY MELVILLE/AFP via Getty Images) /
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 2: Kadidiatou Diani of France celebrates after scoring during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group F match between Panama and France at Sydney Football Stadium on August 02, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 2: Kadidiatou Diani of France celebrates after scoring during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group F match between Panama and France at Sydney Football Stadium on August 02, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images) /

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.