Group C at the 2023 Women’s World Cup contains an interesting mix of teams, with heavyweights Spain placed with former champions Japan, debutants Zambia, and Central American side Costa Rica.
Despite off-the-field turmoil a few months back, during which several of their star players rebelled against coach Jorge Vilda, Spain are still expected to perform strongly in the group and be a threat at the tournament, and they got off to a strong start with a 3-0 win over Costa Rica.
Japan will be hoping to recreate their historic run from 2011 where they shocked the world and won the World Cup, Costa Rica will aim to cause a surprise or two, whilst Zambia will be looking to make their mark at their first ever World Cup, having already defeated Germany 3-2 in a warm-up match.
The Sporting News has all the details fans need to know about Group C of the Women’s World Cup.
MORE: Final Spain squad for 2023 Women’s World Cup
Group C standings and schedule
Women’s World Cup Group C table & fixtures
| Team | PTS | GP | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD |
| 1. Japan | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2. Spain | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 3. Costa Rica | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -3 |
| 4. Zambia | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | -5 |
The four teams are playing a round-robin format with each nation facing the other three. Group standings are based on points from those three group-stage matches — three points for a win, one for a draw, none for a loss.
The top two teams from each group based on total points advance to the single-game knockouts. If teams are tied on points, goal difference is the first tiebreaker followed by goals scored. If teams are also tied in those categories another set of tiebreakers is applied.
Group C match schedule
| Date | Match | Time (AEST) |
Time (ET) |
City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, July 21 | Spain 3-0 Costa Rica | Highlights | Wellington (NZL) | |
| Sat, July 22 | Zambia 0-5 Japan | Highlights | Hamilton (NZL) | |
| Wed, July 26 | Spain vs. Zambia | 17:30 | 03:30 | Auckland (NZL) |
| Wed, July 26 | Japan vs. Costa Rica | 15:00 | 01:00 | Dunedin (NZL) |
| Mon, July 31 | Japan vs. Spain | 17:00 | 03:00 | Wellington (NZL) |
| Mon, July 31 | Costa Rica vs. Zambia | 17:00 | 03:00 | Hamilton (NZL) |
Who will win Group C?
Spain’s first match win cemented their status as favourites to win the group, with their odds falling to -500.
Japan are the second most likely team to win the group, with Costa Rica and Zambia’s defeats meaning their chances are remote.
| Spain | Japan | Costa Rica | Zambia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM (USA) | — | — | — | — |
| Sports Interaction (Canada) | -500 | +334 | +500000 | +14400 |
| SkyBet (UK) | 1/3 | 9/4 | — | — |
| Dafabet (India) | 1.16 | 4.30 | 501.0 | 151.0 |
| Unibet (Australia) | 1.16 | 4.25 | 101.0 | 81.00 |
Odds Updated July 26
Who will qualify from Group C?
Both favourites to progress have performed well in their first game. Only if either of them falter in their second match will the third game, which sees them pitted against each other, come into play.
| Spain | Japan | Costa Rica | Zambia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM (USA) | — | — | — | — |
| Sports Interaction (Canada) | -10000 | -833 | +1973 | +549 |
| SkyBet (UK) | 1/50 | 1/10 | 100/1 | 50/1 |
| Dafabet (India) | — | — | — | — |
| Unibet (Australia) | 1.01 | 1.02 | 21.00 | 9.00 |
Odds updated July 26
Group C Round of 16 matchups
The top two teams of Group C will the be matched up with the top two teams of Group A, which features co-hosts New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and the Philippines who are in their first ever World Cup.
Norway are tipped to win the group, with Switzerland also expected to progress, with New Zealand viewed as an outside chance of progressing despite being a host nation.
Potential path to final for Group C teams
Women’s World Cup Round of 16
| Date | Match | Time (AEST) |
Time (ET) |
City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Aug. 5 | 1A vs. 2C | 15:00 | 01:00 | Auckland (NZL) |
| Sat, Aug. 5 | 1C vs. 2A | 18:00 | 04:00 | Wellington (NZL) |
| Sun, Aug. 6 | 1E vs. 2G | 12:00 | 22:00 (Aug. 5) |
Sydney (AUS) |
| Sun, Aug. 6 | 1G vs. 2E | 19:00 | 05:00 | Melbourne (AUS) |
| Mon, Aug. 7 | 1B vs. 2D | 20:30 | 06:30 | Sydney (AUS) |
| Mon, Aug. 7 | 1D vs. 2B | 17:30 | 03:30 | Brisbane (AUS) |
| Tue, Aug. 8 | 1F vs. 2H | 20:30 | 07:00 | Adelaide (AUS) |
| Tue, Aug. 8 | 1H vs. 2F | 18:00 | 04:00 | Melbourne (AUS) |
Women’s World Cup Quarterfinals
| Date | Match | Time (AEST) |
Time (ET) |
City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Aug. 11 | QF1: 1A/2C vs. 1E/2G | 11:00 | 21:00 (Aug. 10) |
Wellington (NZL) |
| Fri, Aug. 11 | QF2: 1C/2A vs. 1G/2E | 17:30 | 03:30 | Auckland (NZL) |
| Sat, Aug. 12 | QF3: 1B/2D vs. 1F/2H | 17:00 | 03:00 | Brisbane (AUS) |
| Sat, Aug. 12 | QF4: 1D/2B vs. 1H/2F | 20:30 | 06:30 | Sydney (AUS) |
Women’s World Cup Semifinals
| Date | Match | Time (AEST) |
Time (ET) |
City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Aug. 15 | QF1 vs. QF2 | 18:00 | 04:00 | Auckland (NZL) |
| Wed, Aug. 16 | QF3 vs. QF4 | 20:00 | 06:00 | Sydney (AUS) |
Women’s World Cup 3rd Place
| Date | Match | Time (AEST) |
Time (ET) |
City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Aug. 19 | Semifinal losers | 18:00 | 04:00 | Brisbane (AUS) |
Women’s World Cup Final
| Date | Match | Time (AEST) |
Time (ET) |
City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Aug. 20 | Semifinal winners | 20:00 | 06:00 | Sydney (AUS) |
