Women's World Cup power rankings: USA out on top but France, Germany and England chasing behind

Ranking 24 teams’ chances of success in France

The Women's World Cup group stage is nearing its close, with all teams having played at least two of their three matches, and many having already progressed to the knock-out stages.

The United States, the reigning world champions no less, are still setting the pace having followed up their record-breaking 13-0 win over Thailand with a 3-0 victory against Chile.

France have lost some of their early momentum, though the host nation still appear well-placed to challenge the holders if they meet in the quarter-finals.

Germany finally came to the party properly, with a 4-0 thrashing of South Africa, while England, Canada and the Netherlands have all shown signs of challenging too.

Dark horses Australia recovered from their opening round defeat in style, though their Group C rivals Brazil and Italy have impressed in moments as well.

Here, we rank all 24 teams and their chances of success...

1. United States

Only the three goals this time, but unsurprisingly, another dominant win. Though arguably handed the ‘easiest’ opening pair of fixtures, the reigning world champions look a cut above almost every other contender.

2. France

The host nation progress with a 100 per cent record but the optimism of opening night has faded a little. France were unconvincing in their final, narrow win against Nigeria. For now, they appear a distant second to the Americans.

3. Germany

Finally delivered a dominant win and performance, albeit against Group B’s weakest side. Plenty of pretenders to the throne are yet to get their act together. If Germany can, they will be the most dangerous of the lot.

4. Canada

Another team to have benefitted from a generous pair of opening games but Canada look solid with just enough talent to make opportunities count at the other end. Meeting the Netherlands’ attack will be a test of their credentials.

5. England

Took their time to break through Argentina, though once ahead the victory was never in doubt. Have we seen the best of Phil Neville’s side? No, but there are enough encouraging signs to suggest the last four is not an unrealistic aim.

6. Netherlands

Could quite easily be stuck on only one or two points, but the European champions instead have six after two hard-earned victories. Vivianne Miedema showed why, on their day, the Dutch can cause problems for any side.

7. Sweden

Dispatched Thailand 5-1 to qualify for the knock-out stages. Two wins from two, against two of the weakest teams in the tournament. Thursday night’s meeting with the strongest - the United States - will determine how seriously we should take Peter Gerhardsson’s side.

8. Australia

The most entertaining side of the tournament so far? Their comeback from 2-0 down to beat Brazil 3-2 came in controversial circumstances, but the Matildas will surely now qualify, most likely in second place, and the knock-out stages will be all the better for it.

9. Italy

This World Cup’s surprise package, even if a comfortable victory over Jamaica last time out was expected. Italy can afford to lose to Brazil and still top Group C, a scenario few saw coming at the start of the tournament.

10. Brazil

Marta and his team-mates will be aggrieved by the defeat to Australia, and not unfairly so, but the manner of the collapse in Reims should also be a concern. At least a draw in their final group game will be enough to qualify.

11. Norway

No Ada Hegerberg, no problem. A narrow defeat against France was the only blemish on their Group A campaign, though the runners-up of Group C - the tightest group in the tournament - will be stern opposition in the last 16.

12. China

Maintained their perfect record of group stage qualification but had to settle for third place on this occasion. The lack of goals and general coherence is worrying, though could cause problems for whichever group winner they play.

13. Spain

Through to the knock-out stages for the first time, though if there was a pattern to their three group games it was long, impotent spells of possession. Do not expect Spain to go far. Next up, it is most likely the United States.

14. Japan

Through to the knock-out stages, though quite how far the 2015 runners-up will go is another question. After drawing with Argentina, they were a touch fortunate to beat Scotland and the under-lying numbers do not look pretty.

15. Nigeria

Must wait to discover whether they are one of the fortunate third-placed sides. Arguably deserve a knock-out spot after recovering from an opening 3-0 defeat to beat South Korea and run France close. If not for that VAR penalty call, they would be through.

16. Scotland

Two games, two defeats and yet there is hope for Shelley Kerr’s side yet. With England and Japan out of the way, Scotland play an unambitious Argentina in Paris on Thursday night. Victory will give them a puncher’s chance of reaching the last 16.

17. Cameroon

Currently third in Group E, yet outside the qualification spots in the ranking of third-place teams. Possess enough firepower to beat New Zealand, but that may not ultimately be enough.

18. Argentina

One point above Scotland in Group D, with only one goal conceded in their opening two games, but they will need all their defensive smarts to progress given that they are yet to score and have shown little sign of threatening opponents.

South Africa wave goodbye to the Women's World Cup (Getty Images)

19. New Zealand

One of a number of teams at this World Cup to sit deep, defend and hope for the best. And yet, that approach still led to two straight defeats. New Zealand must now take the game to Cameroon to have a realistic hope of qualifying. It appears unlikely.

20. Chile

Hopes of progressing from Group F are slim but their fate is not settled yet. Christiane Endler’s heroics against the United States leave their goal differential at a modest -5. A big, convincing win over Thailand is needed.

21. Thailand

The goals against column now stands at 18 but their one goal scored, late on in defeat to Sweden, was well deserved after what happened the United States. Even a 13-0 win of their own against Chile would be unlikely to take them through in third-place.

22. Jamaica

Thumped by Brazil and Italy, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament have seen their World Cup end in every sense but a mathematical one. Unfancied to take any kind of result against Australia, they will surely wave goodbye on Tuesday night.

23. South Korea

Eliminated. Disappointing from the opening night onwards. It is the second time they have suffered three defeats in three group stage matches. At least Yeo Min-ji’s late consolation against Norway meant they return home with a goal to their name.

24. South Africa

Eliminated. Sadly, it was all downhill from Thembi Kgatlana’s opening goal against Spain. Will wonder what might have been if a couple of controversial decisions had not gone against them that evening, but emerging from Group B was always a tall order.