Rachel Brown-Finnis predicts the opening round of group matches

BBC Sport football pundit Rachel Brown-Finnis is predicting the outcome of all 64 matches at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

It begins with the opening matches in each group, during which holders the United States face Vietnam, plus England play Haiti and the Republic of Ireland take on co-hosts Australia.

Brown-Finnis also selects its two teams to advance from each group to the knockout stage.

She is supporting England to win the World Cup and believes Republic of Ireland they will not come out of their group.

GROUP A

Brown-Finnis pre-tournament picks: Norway (winners) and New Zealand (runners-up)

New Zealand 1-0 Norway

I think Norway have a real point to prove in this tournament and, with Ada Hegerberg back in their team, they will be too strong for New Zealand.

However, I think the co-hosts will make it out of Group A. The Ferns haven’t won a game in any of their previous five World Cups, but they’ll have a good chance of setting it up in their other two games.

Brown-Finnis prediction: 0-2

Philippines 0-2 Switzerland

I can’t see beyond a Switzerland win here, but they aren’t particularly free-scoring and the Philippines could make it difficult for them.

Brown-Finnis prediction: 0-1

GROUP B

Brown-Finnis pre-tournament picks: Australia (winners) and Canada (runners-up)

Australia 1-0 Republic of Ireland

Australia will be a real force at this World Cup and it will be very exciting for them to be co-hosts.

The story continues

We know how great it was for England to host the European Championships last year and this is Australia’s chance to show what they can do on a global stage.

This is a really tough start for the Republic of Ireland and I think Vera Pauw will set them up to be tough to beat.

They also have some attacking weapons, especially from set pieces, but I still think Australia will start with a win.

Brown-Finnis prediction: 2-1

Nigeria 0-0 Canada

This one will be close as well, but Canada has more experience on their team and I think that will give them the edge.

Brown-Finnis prediction: 1-2

GROUP C

Brown-Finnis pre-tournament picks: Spain (winner) and Zambia (runner-up)

Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

Costa Rica held Spain in their opening match at the 2015 World Cup, but I can’t see them taking anything from them this time around.

Spain are aiming to top this group, so they will want to drop an early point. I can see them doing that by scoring a few goals.

Brown-Finnis prediction: 4-0

Zambia 0-5 Japan

I’m a big fan of Zambian centre-forward Barbra Banda, who first impressed at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her score more goals here.

This should be a really good game, between two teams with such different playing styles, and I’ll go for a high-scoring draw.

For me it’s between these two teams who gets out of the group along with Spain and I’ll go with Zambia to cause a bit of a shock and get into the last 16.

Brown-Finnis prediction: 2-2

GROUP D

Brown-Finnis pre-tournament picks: England (winner) and Denmark (runner-up).

England 1-0 Haiti

It’s been strange to see England struggling to score – their goal drought has now stretched to three games – so they really need to put it down here.

They still have to get the job done and beat a Haitian team playing in their first World Cup, but it may not be a particularly convincing performance. I just hope it gives England some confidence going forward for their next games.

Brown-Finnis prediction: 2-0

Denmark 1-0 China

This is Denmark’s first World Cup since 2007 but, with Pernille Harder in form at the back and a talented striker like Signe Bruun, I can see them making a real impact – they definitely won’t see themselves as underdogs.

China will have the same goal, actually – they’re just one place below Denmark, who are 13th, in the world rankings, so they’re pretty even. I just think the Danes will have more attacking spark.

Brown-Finnis prediction: 2-0

GROUP E

Brown-Finnis pre-tournament picks: USA (winner) and Netherlands (runner-up).

USA 3-0 Vietnam

What a way for Vietnam to start their first World Cup – against the highest ranked team on the planet, who have won the last two World Cups.

Realistically, there’s only going to be one winner here, and it’s just a case of how many goals the USA will score.

The USA are still the team to beat and I can’t wait to see some of their new players. I saw them beat Wales in one of their warm-up games and Trinity Rodman was just brilliant.

She is 21 and this is her first World Cup, but I have seen what she has done at youth level and her record for the U-20s was amazing. She will be really exciting to look after over the next few weeks.

Brown-Finnis prediction: 3-0

Netherlands 1-0 Portugal

This is complicated. The Netherlands were runners-up in 2019, but their recent form has not been good at all.

Portugal are one of the new kids on the block, looking to impress and could make a big statement here with a win.

I don’t see that happening though. Portugal have plenty of attacking flair but sometimes leave themselves open.

I think the Dutch will find a way to get a point but also get out of the group with USA.

Brown-Finnis prediction: 1-1

GROUP F

Brown-Finnis pre-tournament picks: France (winner) and Brazil (runner-up).

France 0-0 Jamaica

I expect Jamaica to explode out of the blocks and they could give France an early scare here… but then it goes away as the game wears on.

I still don’t think this French side have got everything right after a difficult few months on the sidelines, but they are better than they were at last year’s Euros when they reached the semi-finals, so they will be dangerous.

Brown-Finnis prediction: 2-1

Match report

Brazil – Panama (July 24, 12:00)

I rarely get to watch Brazil in action, but I’m actually looking forward to seeing both of these teams – there’s no way this is going to end up as a goalless draw.

Brown-Finnis prediction: 3-1

GROUP G

Brown-Finnis pre-tournament picks: Sweden (winner) and Italy (runner-up).

Sweden 2-1 South Africa

Seven of the eight quarter-finalists at the 2019 World Cup were European teams, and it looks like this tournament could go the same way.

Five of the world’s top-ranked teams are from Europe, and Sweden is one of them.

We know how strong they are and it’s difficult to get past them in this game, and who will come out of this group. South Africa may struggle to keep them quiet.

Brown-Finnis prediction: 3-0

Italy – Argentina (July 24, 07:00)

This is another game I’m really looking forward to, and again it should be close.

I’ll go with Italy to beat him, so Argentina will have to wait a little longer for their first World Cup finals victory.

Brown-Finnis prediction: 2-1

GROUP H

Brown-Finnis pre-tournament picks: Germany (winner) and South Korea (runner-up).

Germany – Morocco (July 24, 09:30)

I can see Germany winning a lot here. They will still be sore from last year’s Euro final loss, but they will use it in a good way – to fire themselves up.

In their eyes, I’m sure it’s been a long time since they last won a World Cup – they were back-to-back champions in 2003 and 2006 – so that’s their target this time around.

Defeat won’t end Morocco’s chances of getting out of the group and I’d like to see them emulate their men’s team, who reached the semi-finals in Qatar last year, but that’s obviously a big ask.

Brown-Finnis prediction: 4-0

Colombia – South Korea (July 25, 03:00)

South Korea are a very technical team, while, from what I’ve seen from Colombia, they’re a little less organized.

It will be pretty tight in terms of who gets out of the group alongside Germany and a draw here would leave things wide open.

Brown-Finnis prediction: 1-1