Women's World Cup 2023 Group C table, standings, schedule and fixtures

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.

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.

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.