Even with one more game at hand in the preliminary stage of the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup final in France, no fewer than six European countries have booked their tickets for the next stage of the competition where 16 teams will continue to challenge for the coveted trophy on July 7.
Host nation, France leads the qualifiers for the Round of 16 stage after two victories in Group A against Nigeria and Norway to garner six points to go through no matter the outcome of their tie on Monday against Nigeria in Rennes just as Germany, Italy, England, Netherlands and Canada have all booked their tickets for the next round.
All the six early qualifiers have won two matches to maintain a perfect start to the competition and to pick six points on the bounce has put the teams in better stead to go for the trophy.
However, high-scoring Team USA that set a record of 13-0 white-wash of hapless debutant, Thailand is expected to beat Chile today in Paris to also pick six points even as that defeated Chile 2-0 in the first match will want to beat wallop poor Thailand to follow other European teams to the next round.
Only Nigeria is most likely to make it to the Round of 16 if the Super Falcons can stay focused not to lose scandalously to France when both teams meet tomorrow in Rennes.
Two other African nations- South Africa and Cameroon have all lost two matches and are in perilous situation to make it out of their groups.
