The outcome of Group B and C will be decided on Monday. Two of the tournament’s most impressive sides – Japan and Spain – will vie against each other for top spot knowing they are both into the next round. In Group C’s other game, Costa Rica and Zambia play looking for their first points and goals.
And then later in the day, Group B’s qualification comes down to the wire, with Australia needing to beat Canada to progress and Nigeria needing at least a draw to reach the last 16.
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Colombia’s Manuela Vanegas celebrates scoring her team’s winning goal against Germany.
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Alexandra Popp battles for the ball during Germany’s loss against Colombia.
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Manuela Vanegas of Colombia marks her player during her team’s game against two-time world champion Germany.
Jaimi Joy/Reuters
Germany fans during their team’s Group H game against Colombia.
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Linda Caicedo celebrates scoring her team’s first goal against Germany.
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Norway celebrates scoring in its 6-0 victory against the Philippines on Sunday.
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Dominique Randle (center) consoles a teammate after the Philippines defeat.
Rafaela Pontes/AP
Philippines’ Hali Long makes a heart with her hands at the end of the match.
Abbie Parr/AP
Philippines’ goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel fails to stop Norway’s Caroline Graham Hansen scoring the game’s third goal.
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Sophie Roman Haug of Norway is challenged by Jessika Cowart of the Philippines.
Rafaela Pontes/AP
Philippines fans cheer for their team before the match against Norway on Sunday.
Molly Darlington/Reuters
Ali Riley and Katie Bowen hug after New Zealand is knocked out of the Women’s World Cup on Sunday.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
New Zealand’s Katie Bowen clears the ball in front of Switzerland’s Julia Stierli.
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Switzerland’s forward Ramona Bachmann controls the ball.
James Elsby/AP
Morocco players celebrate their 1-0 win over South Korea on Sunday, July 30.
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Morocco’s Nouhaila Benzina, the first player to wear a hijab at a World Cup, is shown a yellow card by referee Edina Alves Batista.
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Morocco’s Ibtissam Jraidi controls the ball before shooting on goal.
Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters
Panama’s Aldrith Quintero in action with Jamaica’s Deneisha Blackwood and Kameron Simmonds in Perth, Australia, July 29. Jamaica won 1-0.
Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters
Jamaica players celebrate after Allyson Swaby scores the team’s first goal.
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France’s coach Herve Renard kisses defender Wendie Renard on the forehead after her winning goal secured a 2-1 win against Brazil.
Katie Tucker/AP
Brazil’s Debinha celebrates her goal during the Group F match against France in Brisbane, Australia, July 29.
Aisha Schulz/AP
France’s Wendie Renard, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring her team’s second goal.
John Cowpland/AP
Sweden’s Amanda Ilestedt, center, heads the ball to score the opening goal against Italy on July 29. Sweden won 5-0.
John Cowpland/AP
Sweden’s Rebecka Blomqvist celebrates after scoring her side’s fifth goal.
John Cowpland/AP
Italy’s fans cheer before their team’s match against Sweden at Wellington Regional Stadium, New Zealand.
Maddie Meyer/FIFA/Getty Images
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Haiti’s Melchie Dumornay, left, collides with China’s Dou Jiaxing on July 28.
Carl Recine/Reuters
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England goalkeeper Mary Earps makes a save against Denmark.
Carl Recine/Reuters
Denmark’s Janni Thomsen, left, collides with England’s Alex Greenwood.
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Lauren James celebrates after scoring against Denmark.
Jaimi Joy/Reuters
England’s Keira Walsh is stretchered off after sustaining an injury. Walsh, England’s midfield metronome, went down clutching her knee with no other player in her vicinity
Molly Darlington/Reuters
South Africa’s Bambanani Mbane slides in for a tackle against Argentina’s Mariana Larroquette on July 28. Their match ended in a 2-2 draw.
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Lars Baron/Getty Images
South Africa’s Linda Motlhalo celebrates with teammates after scoring her team’s first goal against Argentina. South Africa led 2-0 before Argentina’s dramatic comeback.
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Dan Peled/Reuters
Players from Australia and Nigeria compete for a ball in the air on July 27.
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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese takes a selfie with fans before the Nigeria match in Brisbane.
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Portugal forward Jéssica Silva, right, watches a shot go wide during a match against Vietnam on July 27. Portugal won 2-0, eliminating Vietnam’s hopes of advancing in the tournament.
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Portugal’s Telma Encarnação reaches for the ball during the Vietnam match.
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Vietnam fans show their support before the Portugal match.
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Dutch goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar grabs the ball over the United States’ Julie Ertz during their 1-1 draw on July 27.
Andrew Cornaga/AP
US fans react during the Netherlands match, which was played in Wellington, New Zealand.
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US midfielder Lindsey Horan celebrates after scoring against the Netherlands. It was her second goal of the tournament.
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Horan’s header tied the match after the Dutch took an early lead.
Amanda Perobelli/Reuters
More than 27,000 fans attended the Netherlands-US match.
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Paul Kane/Getty Images
Ireland’s Katie McCabe applauds fans after the match against Canada.
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Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan can’t get to a McCabe corner kick that went directly into the goal to give Ireland a 1-0 lead. The incredible “Olimpico” goal came in just the fourth minute of play.
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Canadian forward Adriana Leon celebrates after scoring her team’s second goal against Ireland.
David Rowland/Reuters
Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso is thrown in the air by teammates as they celebrate their 5-0 victory over Zambia on July 26. With the win, Spain clinched a spot in the tournament’s knockout round.
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Hermoso, left, scores her first of two goals in the win over Zambia.
David Rowland/Reuters
Spain fans enjoy the Zambia match at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
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Spain’s Alexia Putellas consoles Zambia’s Mary Wilombe after the match. Zambia still has one match to play, but it will not be able to advance to the knockout stage.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
Japan’s Hikaru Naomoto, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal in the 2-0 victory over Costa Rica on July 26. It was Japan’s second win in as many games, and it clinched a spot in the knockout stage.
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Japan’s Mina Tanaka heads the ball toward the Costa Rican goal.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
Japan fans react during the match against Costa Rica, which took place at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand.
Molly Darlington/Reuters
Costa Rican goalkeeper Daniela Solera is shaken up during a play against Japan. She was able to continue.
Phil Walter/Getty Images
Switzerland players, in red, defend their box during a match against Norway on Tuesday, July 25. The match ended in a 0-0 draw.
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Rain pours down during the Norway-Switzerland match.
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People in Indigenous dress perform during a welcome ceremony that was held before Norway-Switzerland.
Amanda Perobelli/Reuters
Andrew Cornaga/AP
New Zealand’s Hannah Wilkinson attempts to head the ball past Philippines goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel during their match on July 25.
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Bolden scores on New Zealand keeper Victoria Esson.
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Philippines fans show their support during the team’s first-ever win at a Women’s World Cup.
Jaimi Joy/Reuters
Colombia’s Catalina Usme celebrates with teammates after scoring her team’s first goal against South Korea on July 25. Colombia won 2-0.
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South Korea’s Cho So-hyun, bottom left, competes for the ball against Colombia’s Jorelyn Carabali and Carolina Arias.
Carl Recine/Reuters
Colombia fans show their support in Sydney.
Carl Recine/Reuters
Usme tries to control the ball in front of South Korea’s Kim Hye-ri.
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Colombia midfielder Manuela Vanegas receives a yellow card from referee Rebecca Welch.
Matt Turner/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
James Elsby/AP
Brazil’s Ary Borges celebrates her third goal during the Panama. Her hat trick was the first of the tournament.
James Elsby/AP
Brazilian fans watch the match against Panama, which was held in Adelaide, Australia.
Victoria Adkins/AP
Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters
Germany’s Alexandra Popp celebrates scoring a goal against Morocco.
Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters
Germany fans celebrate as their team gets off to a great start.
Hamish Blair/AP
Morocco’s Fatima Tagnaout runs during the match against Germany.
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Italy’s Cristiana Girelli celebrates after scoring a late winner against Argentina on July 24. Italy won 1-0.
Abbie Parr/AP
Italian goalkeeper Francesca Durante makes a save during the match against Argentina.
David Rowland/Reuters
Argentina coach German Portanova reacts during the Italy match.
Buda Mendes/Getty Images
David Gray/AFP/Getty Images
Jamaican players celebrate on Sunday, July 23, after their 0-0 draw against France earned them their country’s first-ever point in the Women’s World Cup.
Mark Baker/AP
Jamaica’s Atlanta Primus tugs the shirt of France’s Grace Geyoro.
Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Jamaican goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer marshals her defense.
Mark Baker/AP
Jamaica’s Khadija “Bunny” Shaw is sent off for a second bookable offense against France.
Mark Baker/AP
France’s Estelle Cascarino, left, and Shaw battle for the ball.
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Portugal’s Ines Pereira dives in vain as the Netherlands’ Stefanie van der Gragt, not pictured, scores the only goal in the match on July 23.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
Van der Gragt, left, and Portugal’s Jessica Silva battle for possession.
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Silva signs autographs for fans after the match.
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Sweden’s Amanda Ilestedt celebrates after scoring a late winner against South Africa on July 23. Sweden won 2-1.
Amanda Perobelli/Reuters
South Africa’s Hildah Magaia, who scored the opening goal, runs with the ball alongside Sweden’s Elin Rubensson.
Katelyn Mulcahy/FIFA/Getty Images
A South Africa fan shows support during the match.
Colin Murty/AFP/Getty Images
Danish players celebrate Amalie Vangsgaard’s late goal that gave them a 1-0 victory over China on Saturday, July 22.
Paul Kane/Getty Images
China fans show their support prior to their team’s opening match against Denmark.
Gary Day/AP
China’s Zhang Linyan competes for the ball with Denmark’s Pernille Harder.
Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters
China head coach Shui Qingxia gestures during the match.
Dan Peled/Reuters
England’s Alessia Russo and Haiti’s Tabita Joseph fight for the ball during the two sides’ opening game on July 22. England’s Lionesses, the reigning European champions, earned a scrappy 1-0 victory over the tournament debutants.
Dan Peled/Reuters
England’s Georgia Stanway converts the winner against Haiti from the penalty spot.
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Nicolas Delépine, Haiti’s head coach, instructs his team during the match.
Zac Goodwin/PA Images/Getty Images
Haiti goalkeeper Kerly Theus jumps to make one of many impressive saves against England.
John Cowpland/AP
Japan’s Jun Endo celebrates with her bench after scoring her team’s fourth goal in a 5-0 win against Zambia on July 22.
David Rowland/Reuters
Japan’s Mina Tanaka battles with Zambia’s Agnes Musase.
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Aoba Fujino of Japan is brought down by Zambian goalkeeper Catherine Musonda, resulting in a penalty to Japan. It was later overturned due to offside.
John Cowpland/AP
Japan supporters react following their team’s emphatic victory over Zambia.
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US forward Alex Morgan is surrounded by Vietnam defenders during their opening match on July 22. The United States, the two-time defending champs, won 3-0.
Fiona Goodall/FIFA via Getty Images
Lindsey Horan, left, celebrates with US teammate Megan Rapinoe after Horan scored the third goal against Vietnam.
Rafaela Pontes/AP
Players collide in the box as Vietnam goalkeeper Trần Thị Kim Thanh looks to clear the ball away.
Ane Frosaker/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
US forward Sophia Smith dribbles the ball against Vietnam. She scored the first two goals of the match.
Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images
Fans cheer during the US-Vietnam match in Auckland, New Zealand.
Amanda Perobelli/Reuters
Spain’s Esther González wins a header against Costa Rica’s Mariana Benavides on July 21. Spain won 3-0.
Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
González scores her team’s third goal against Costa Rica.
Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
A Māori welcoming ceremony is held prior to the Spain-Costa Rica match.
Molly Darlington/Reuters
Switzerland’s Seraina Piubel scores her team’s second goal during its 2-0 victory against the Philippines on July 21.
Molly Darlington/Reuters
The Philippines’ Katrina Guillou takes a shot against Switzerland’s Gaëlle Thalmann. The goal was disallowed.
Lars Baron/Getty Images
A Philippines fan enjoys the pre-match atmosphere. This was the country’s Women’s World Cup debut.
William West/AFP/Getty Images
Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan punches the ball clear during a 0-0 draw against Nigeria on July 21.
Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters
Nigeria’s Uchenna Kanu takes a selfie with fans after the Canada match.
William West/AFP/Getty Images
Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie clears the ball after saving a penalty by Canada’s Christine Sinclair.
Carl Recine/Reuters
Australia’s Steph Catley, third from left, celebrates scoring her team’s only goal against Ireland on June 20. Australia won 1-0 in Sydney.
Alex Pantling/FIFA via Getty Images
Fans in Melbourne celebrate as they watch the match between Australia and Ireland.
Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images
Ireland’s Heather Payne, left, tries to cross the ball past Australia’s Kyra Cooney-Cross. This was Ireland’s first-ever match in a Women’s World Cup.
Jaimi Joy/Reuters
Franck Fife/AFP via Getty Images
Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold makes a save.
David Rowland/Reuters
New Zealand’s Ria Percival and Katie Bowen, in black, compete for the ball with Norway’s Caroline Graham Hansen on July 20. New Zealand won the opening match 1-0. It was the country’s first-ever win at a Women’s World Cup.
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Norway star Ada Hegerberg reacts after a missed chance against New Zealand.
Abbie Parr/AP
New Zealand’s CJ Bott, left, and Norway’s Mathilde Harviken vie for the ball.
Andrew Cornaga/AP
New Zealand fans react during the match against Norway, which was played in Auckland, New Zealand.
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Norway players huddle before the match against New Zealand.
Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Fireworks explode during the tournament’s opening ceremony, which was held before the New Zealand-Norway match.
Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Abbie Parr/AP
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony at Auckland’s Eden Park.
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Performers dance during the opening ceremony.
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A performer is pictured during the opening ceremony.
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Benee and Mallrat perform “Do It Again,” the official song of this year’s Women’s World Cup, during the opening ceremony. Benee is from New Zealand and Mallrat is from Australia.
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Dancers take the field during the opening ceremony.
David Rowland/Reuters
Children hold flags during the opening ceremony.
In the US, games will be aired on FOX Sports, while Telemundo will provide Spanish-language coverage.
Seven Network and Optus Sport are broadcasting matches in Australia and the BBC and ITV have the rights in the United Kingdom.
A full breakdown of media rights holders in each country is available on the FIFA website.
Costa Rica vs. Zambia and Japan vs. Spain start at 3 a.m. ET (8 a.m. BST), while Canada vs. Australia and the Republic of Ireland vs. Nigeria both kick off at 6 a.m. ET (11 a.m. BST).
Monday’s standout game comes from Melbourne as Australia play Olympic champion Canada.
Canada, after a win and a draw in its opening two games, sits level atop Group B with Nigeria, while Australia lies just a point behind after a disappointing loss in its last game against the Super Falcons.
Canada knows that a draw or victory will see it progress to the round of 16, while if Australia win, it will qualify for the next stage, regardless of the result in the other group game between the Republic of Ireland and Nigeria.
Australia could be bolstered by the return of captain and star player Sam Kerr who missed the Matildas’ opening two games of the tournament because of injury.
Kerr declared herself fit for Monday’s crunch tie but remained coy over how head coach Tony Gustavsson might choose to use her, off the bench or from the start.
For Canada, avoiding defeat will be the aim of the game. Canada’s own star striker, Christine Sinclair, is still attempting to etch her name into the history books.
A goal for the 40-year-old at this year’s tournament would see her become the first player, either male or female, to score at six World Cups.
In Brisbane, Group B leader Nigeria will be playing the Republic of Ireland.
Nigeria knows a draw will see it through to the knockout stage. Debutant Ireland has already been eliminated.
There are far fewer permutations heading into the final round of fixtures in Group C.
In Wellington, Spain and Japan will face off having both won its two group games so far, impressing many with their performances.
Spain – having already achieved its best tally in the group stage of a World Cup – knows a draw or win will see it top the group for the first time in its history.
Japan, on the other hand, is behind the Spanish on goal difference, so if it wants to face the runner-up in Group A rather than the first-placed team, it has to beat Spain.
That won’t be an easy task, with Spain the top scorers at the competition so far.
Group C’s other game will see two winless teams, Costa Rica and Zambia, go head-to-head in what will be a first senior competitive meeting between the two nations.
Although a dead rubber in terms of qualification, they have plenty of pride to play for with a first-ever World Cup win a possibility for both.
