Women’s World Cup Power Rankings: Re-ranking all 8 teams in the quarterfinals

Following eight action-packed knockout matches, the field at the 2023 Women’s World Cup shrinks to eight as the final inches closer. 

If you want evidence of the growth of women’s football, look no further than the quarterfinalists at this year’s Women’s World Cup. Four different federations are represented, differing from 2019 where the United States WNT was the only non-European nation in the final eight. With the USWNT shockingly out of the competition, the door is open for even more chaos to ensue.

Japan is the only country left in the field that has lifted the world title in the past. Nearly three weeks ago, New Zealand took down Norway in dramatic fashion. Now, eight remain with the hope of being able to call itself “world champions”. Two out of the eight remaining will be competing in its first-ever quarterfinal match. Including the quarterfinal contests, six total fixtures are left until the World Cup final in Sydney, Australia on August 20.

Here is a look at how the last eight in this competition rank ahead of what is shaping up to be a thrilling set of fixtures.

2023 Women’s World Cup: Ranking all 8 quarterfinal teams

8. Colombia

FIFA Ranking: 25

A world-class over-the-top ball by Ana María Guzmán, and a sensational finish by Colombia’s No. 11 Catalina Usme lifted the South American side into the knockouts. Jamaica, another underdog story at this World Cup conceded its first goal of the tournament to put an end to its Cinderella run. With a 1-0 lead after the 51′, Nelson Abadía’s team stayed disciplined and organized in the back while providing some sort of threat in the attacking third. It was a unique situation for them in the Round of 16 where Las Cafeteras had to be considered the favorites over Jamacia.

The Group H winners will get Manuela Vanegas back from yellow card suspension with a much more challenging contest on the horizon against England. Since the Colombians have qualified for a World Cup, they have improved each time out. 2011 they were eliminated in the group stage. 2015, the path ended in the knockouts. In its third appearance on the world stage, this country is quarterfinal bound.

With players like Leicy Santos, and Linda Caicedo, this team has that quality in the final third to challenge an English team that scraped their way through against Nigeria. In 2018, this country finished in fourth place in all of CONMEBOL. Now, Las Cafeteras are the last South American team left, demonstrating the quality in that federation outside of just Brazil.

7. Netherlands

FIFA Ranking: 9

It was not the most convincing display against South Africa, but at the end of the day, the 2019 runners-up finished the job. Goals by Manchester City’s Jill Roord, and Lineth Beerensteyn were enough to send the South Africans packing despite Banyana Banyana amassing more shots on target than the Dutch. Andries Jonker’s team dominated in possession all game long, but had no answers for the dynamism of Thembi Kgatlana up top.

It is the second straight World Cup in which the Netherlands are through to the final eight of the World Cup. Jonker’s side is going to have to be much more focused on the defensive end with the Spanish next up in the quarterfinals. Similar to three other teams left in this World Cup, the European outfit has conceded just one goal.

With a new coach at the helm, the Dutch hope that their World Cup campaign does not conclude in the same round as the Euros last summer. A penalty by French right back Eve Perisset in extra time ousted the defending European champions. Players like Dominique Janssen, and Jackie Groenen are going to be vital for the Dutch as they hope to qualify for the semifinals through crisp possession-based football.

6. Sweden

FIFA Ranking: 3

No matter how much the United States pressured the Swedish backline, Zecira Musovic would not crack between the sticks. Her historic 11-save performance against the No. 1 team in the world was the catalyst in the Swede’s eventual penalty shoot-out triumph that closed the book on a historic chapter of the USWNT. By what looked like a width of a piece of copier paper, Lina Hurtig became the heroine at the conclusion of a match mostly dominated by the United States. Just one shot challenged Alyssa Naeher during the entire 120 of football ahead of the shoot-out.

The Swedish have finished in the top three in two out of the last three World Cups. Reaching that point in 2023 is going to be a tall task. Japan, the tournament’s most in-form side awaits the Swedes led by a coach who has shown exactly how versatile his team can be depending on the opponent. The Japanese can and quite possibly will concede possession. It is going to be about the backline constantly communicating in transitional moments if Sweden were to put an end to Japan’s journey.

It is all about surviving and advancing at this point. That is what Peter Gerhardsson’s team did. Equipped with plenty of experience on the world stage, and the confidence from a historic win over the USWNT, the Nordic nation can without question push further into this competition.

5. Australia

FIFA Ranking: 10

The energy within the stadium when the Matildas have taken the pitch so far this summer has been second to none. No host nation has finished in the top four of a Women’s World Cup since the United States WNT in 2003. With Sam Kerr back in the fold and Tony Gustavsson running the show from the sideline, Australia is more than capable of ending that streak.

The sheer brilliance of Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord on the left flank propelled the co-hosts to its fourth quarterfinal match in its last five World Cups. In the first 25 minutes of the Round of 16, Denmark looked dangerous in the final third, testing Mackenzie Arnold on more than one occasion between the sticks. A counter-attack led by Mary Fowler finally opened up the Danish defense. Foord slotted it away, sending the home fans into a frenzy. If the Matildas score first, it is difficult to see anyone coming from behind with the liveliness this country has shown to support this team.

Australia’s No. 9 ranks sixth in this World Cup in progressive carries, using her speed to expose the wings of the opposition’s defense. Now that Kerr is back in the picture, that is just another outlet this group will have at its disposal. Whether she will start against France is a question in itself, but at least Gustavsson knows she is fit enough to make an impact.