This is the first year in Women’s World Cup history that the field has expanded to 32 teams, with eight more teams and eight more opportunities to inspire their nations through the World Cup. Two teams from each group will advance to the Round of 16; who will emerge when the dust settles? Let’s predict who will advance from the Women’s World Cup Group Stage.
Group A: Norway, Philippines, New Zealand, Switzerland
Teams to advance: Norway and Switzerland
Norway has the most talent and should be the group winners barring an upset to New Zealand or Switzerland. Ada Hegerberg should be one of the favorites to win the Golden Boot based on her goal-scoring record at the club level, and she has two players in Guro Reiten and Caroline Graham Hansen, who can get her the ball.
Switzerland failed to advance from the Group Stage at the Women’s Euro due to a tough group. The Philippines and New Zealand will be slightly easier opponents. The Switzerland/New Zealand game will likely decide who is the second team to advance, and unless New Zealand finds some offense, Ramona Bachmann should carry the Swiss to the Round of 16.
Group B: Australia, Nigeria, Ireland, Canada
Teams to Advance: Australia, Canada
This seemed like a…
