It's Tuesday morning in the United States and every nation at the Women's World Cup has completed one match. Group A, the Group of Life, went ahead and completed their second games in the early hours so that makes our Power Rankings a little clearer, but this is how things stand in our eyes after just a taste of the tournament.
2023 Women's World Cup Power Rankings
#32. Zambia
After a 5-0 defeat to Japan, Zambia plays Spain next. That should effectively end their tournament with one final match against Costa Rica to serve as a dead rubber. They made history by making it here, but now it's time for the federation to ensure that it's just the start for the Copper Queens.
#31. Panama
Brazil outclassed Las Canaleras 4-0 and it's hard to see them getting the results necessary to reach the Round of 16 with Jamaica and France still to come.
#30. Vietnam
The 3-0 scoreline against the USWNT was nothing to be ashamed of, but it doesn't get much easier with Portugal followed by the Netherlands.
#29. Costa Rica
After getting eased out of existence by Spain's tiki-taka, it's Japan next for Las Ticas. They'll be dumped out of Group C alongside Zambia.
#28. Morocco
The 6-0 defeat to Germany was bad, and although South Korea and Colombia aren't world powers, the Lionesses of Atlas look doomed to finish bottom of Group H.
#27. Ireland
The Irish only succumbed to Australia by a penalty kick, and that'll give them some confidence going up against Canada. However, the gulf in quality is just too much for the Girls in Green.
#26. Philippines
Can the Philippines shock Norway to reach the last-16? It's possible but I wouldn't bet on it.
#25. South Korea
With Germany the favorite to top Group H, South Korea's 2-0 defeat to Colombia was devastating.
#24. Portugal
Group E belongs to the USWNT, so Portugal couldn't really afford to lose to the Netherlands but that's what happened.
#23. Argentina
Defeat to Italy, coupled with Sweden's last gasp win over South Africa, was the worst case scenario to start the tournament.
#22. New Zealand
After a shock victory over Norway, the Football Ferns were sent tumbling back to reality with a 1-0 defeat to the Philippines. A result against Switzerland looks unlikely.
#21. Norway
The men's game is cursed with Poland — perennial underachievers and almost impossible to watch. On the women's side, we have Norway. They'll probably reach the last-16 and then get crushed.
#20. Haiti
They played England closer than expected but still assume the role of underdogs against China and Denmark.
#19. China
Conceding in the 89th minute to Denmark was devastating, and now it's do-or-die against Haiti.
#18. Colombia
The Round of 16 is within reach after a 2-0 win over South Korea, but it's Germany next for Las Chicas Superpoderosas. The focus will then shift to getting three points against Morocco.
#17. South Africa
The African champions almost earned a massive point against Sweden, and there's a very real chance they get the results necessary against Argentina and Italy to reach the knockout stages.
#16. Switzerland
The likely winners of Group A and losers to either Spain or Japan in the Round of 16.
#15. Italy
Three massive points against Argentina put Le Azzurre on the road to the knockout stages. Sweden's next and then it's South Africa with both matches at Wellington Regional Stadium.
#14. Jamaica
The draw against France was monumental in the moment, but Bunny Shaw's red card makes the upcoming match against Panama much more dicey. Three points would set up one hell of a finale against Brazil.
#13. Nigeria
The Super Falcons earned a point against Canada, play a Sam Kerr-less Australia next and finish against Ireland. It's a path to the Round of 16.
#12. Denmark
A 90th-minute winner against China put the Danes on course for the Round of 16, but England is up next in Sydney. Haiti also won't be pushovers in the finale.
#11. France
A trendy dark horse pick, Les Bleues suffered failure to launch against Jamaica and now face a pressure cooker against Brazil.
#10. Canada
Canada would've beaten Nigeria if not for a missed Christine Sinclair penalty, but they'll be expecting three points against Ireland and a healthy return of four points from two matches before the finale against Australia.
#9. Netherlands
The Dutch won their most decisive match of Group E by beating Portugal. Now they're playing with house money against the USWNT before closing against Vietnam.
#8. Japan
A 5-0 opening victory got the hype train rolling, and Costa Rica represents another three points for Nadeshiko Japan. It'll then come down to the finale against Spain, although Group C gets the luxury of going against a very poor Group A in the last-16.
#7. Sweden
The Swedish mentality is legendary — it's why they're always involved at the business end of World Cups and Olympics. Yes, they needed a 90th-minute winner against 54th-ranked South Africa, but it just goes to show that we can expect more of the same from the Swedes this tournament.
#6. Australia
The Matildas opening match could've been a disaster with Sam Kerr ruled out injured against Ireland's compact defense, but a crowd of nearly 76,000 willed Australia to a 1-0 win. They'll again be without Kerr on Thursday when playing Nigeria in Brisbane, and that's a problem.
#5. Brazil
The return of the Canaries? Brazil haven't gone beyond the last-16 since 2011, but this team has an intriguing mix of veterans like Marta and Tamires playing alongside emerging stars like Ary Borges and Lauren.
#4. Spain
La Roja went up 3-0 on Costa Rica in 27 minutes and then sucked the life out of the match with 81% possession and nearly 600 completed passes. Costa Rica didn't get a shot on target.
Aitana Bonmatí showed why she's a contender for the 2023 Ballon d'Or, and Alexia Putellas — winner of the last two — played 13 minutes off the bench ahead of Wednesday's match against Zambia.
#3. England
The disconcerting lack of goals for the Lionesses continued with a 1-0 opening win over Haiti, giving them only two in their last five matches. It's clear the team has taken a step back without Beth Mead, but they've got a chance to reassert themselves on Friday against Denmark and Pernille Harder.
#2. Germany
Her absence in the European Championship final against England was a major blow, but Alexandra Popp is again leading the line for Germany and opened the tournament with a brace against Morocco.
This squad looks extremely strong from front to back with standout players in most positions, and that's why we've moved them above England.
#1. USWNT
The Americans scored 10 fewer goals than their opening match in 2019, but their 3-0 victory over Vietnam was still about as comfortable as it gets with a 28-0 advantage in shots.
Getting Sophia Smith and Lindsey Horan rolling foreshadows better things to come from the team's attack, and the defense looks formidable heading into Wednesday's clash with a Dutch side that did just enough to beat Portugal.
But is Rose Lavelle ready to start?
