Who will USWNT play in the round of 16 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup? Opponents revealed as Team USA finish group phase in second

768 days ago

The USWNT’s goalless draw against Portugal showed a vulnerable side to the team.

Now, having finished second, the Stars and Stripes still have their name as the dominant force in the world of women’s football, but their chances to face a more difficult team are increased, as they will play the top team in Group G.

The aforementioned game over Vietnam ended in a comfortable 3-0, a result that was followed up by a 1-1 draw with The Netherlands. In their final game, Portugal held Alex Morgan, Lindsey Horan and co. to a goalless draw in a match that could have ended in the worst result in their history.

Onward, together. pic.twitter.com/hWmD3PM7XK

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) August 1, 2023

What is the toughest and easiest draw the USWNT can have?

There is probably no ‘easy’ draw for any team at the tournament, but there are certainly teams who are preferred to others.

We also technically don’t know who the US are going to play in the next round, but we can have a very solid guess.

Their rivals will be a team from Group G, which consists of Sweden, Italy, South Africa and Argentina. The only two teams that can progress are Sweden and Italy, so that cuts the list of potential opponents down to two.

Which teams can the USWNT play in the next round?

Sweden, who will play bottom of the group Argentina, sit as leaders of Group G with a three-point advantage over Italy, who are set to face South Africa.

Sweden beat Italy 5-0 in their previous game and look like comfortable winners, as they also have a five goal advantage over Italy. They will, in all likelihood, be the next opponents of the USWNT.

Italy, although now a very unlikely outcome, would certainly be an easier opponent. They beat Argentina 1-0 thanks to a late Girelli goal. However, this result seems unlikely, given that even if Le Azzurre win heavily against South Africa, they are still relying on their top-spot rivals slipping up.