Who will USWNT play in Round of 16? USA women's soccer next opponent in Women's World Cup knockout round

Kyle Bonn

Who will USWNT play in Round of 16? USA women's soccer next opponent in Women's World Cup knockout round image

Ranked No. 1 in the world, the USA women's national team is expected to make another deep run at the 2023 Women's World Cup.

As two-time defending champions in this competition, the USA are attempting to become the first team in FIFA history to win three titles in a row.

The journey through the single-elimination knockout stages to another potential final begins with the Round of 16. After finishing in second place in the group stage, the Americans will have a daunting road ahead.

But this will not be unfamiliar territory for the USA, who have advanced to the knockout stages in all eight previous Women's World Cup tournaments and never finished worse than third place.

MORE: Complete Round of 16 matchups at 2023 Women's World Cup

Who will USWNT play in Round of 16 at Women's World Cup?

The knockout bracket for the entire 2023 Women's World Cup was set up by FIFA prior to the tournament, only needing each group to wrap up to determine which teams slot into the Round of 16 matchups.

The USA's next opponent will be from Group G, which features Sweden, Italy, South Africa, and Argentina. Sweden are already through to the next round, while the other three remain in contention for the final spot.

As the second-place team from Group E the Americans will face the winner of Group G. Sweden currently occupy that slot with group play wrapping up on Wednesday, August 2.

Sweden have practically locked up the top spot in Group G, needing a truly unrealistic set of circumstances to see them topped by Italy.

Group E final standings

Team PTS GP W D L GF GA GD
1. Netherlands-Q 7 3 2 1 0 9 1 +8
2. USA-Q 5 3 1 2 0 4 1 +3
3. Portugal-E 4 3 1 1 1 2 1 +1
4. Vietnam-E 0 3 0 0 3 0 12 -12
  • Q = Qualified to Round of 16 / E = Eliminated

Group G standings

Team PTS GP W D L GF GA GD
1. Sweden-Q 6 2 2 0 0 7 1 +6
2. Italy 3 2 1 0 1 1 5 -4
3. South Africa 1 2 0 1 1 3 4 -1
4. Argentina 1 2 0 1 1 2 3 -1
  • Q = Qualified to Round of 16 / E = Eliminated

When is USWNT Round of 16 match?

The USA will be playing their Round of 16 match on Sunday, August 6 in Australia.

As the Group E runner-up, the USA have slotted into a match with a kickoff time that will be challenging for fans back home.

The Americans will play the Group G winner (likely Sweden) at 7 p.m. local in Melbourne on Sunday, August 6. The 14-hour time difference makes that a 5 a.m. ET start in the United States (2 a.m. PT).

  • Round of 16 match: USA vs. Group G winner
  • Date: Sunday, August 6 (in Australia)
  • Time: 7 p.m. local (5 a.m. ET)

USWNT in Women's World Cup Round of 16 all-time

  • Appearances: 2
  • Record (W-D-L): 2-0-0
  • Goal differential (GF-GA): +3 (4-1)

Incepted in 1991, the Women's World Cup has not always featured enough teams to have a Round of 16. In fact, 2015 was the first year the knockout stage featured teams, thanks to expansion of the field.

Therefore, the U.S. has only played two Round of 16 matches before, and they won both, beating Colombia in 2015 and Spain last time out.

Year Opponent Result Scorers
2019 Spain W 2-1 Rapinoe (7', 75')
2015 Colombia W 2-0 Morgan (53'), Lloyd (66')

Kyle Bonn

Kyle Bonn Photo

Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.