England's route to Women's World Cup final explained: How Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses can reach the last two of the tournament
- England will aim to win the Women's World Cup for the first time ever this year
- 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup schedule, groups and how to watch
- When is this year's FIFA Women's World Cup final and where will it be played
Sarina Wiegman's England will be looking to win the Women's World Cup for the first time this year.
While the Lionesses are big favourites for the tournament, they face a tough route to the final.
They will be without Leah Williamson for the tournament after she ruptured her ACL during Arsenal's clash with Manchester United back in April. In her absence, Chelsea's Millie Bright has been named captain.
The Lionesses began their World Cup campaign with a 1-0 win against Haiti in Brisbane. They then followed that up with another 1-0 win - this time against Denmark. Wiegman's side defeated China 6-1 in their final group game to finish top of Group D.
Here, Mail Sport breaks down England's possible path to the final.
![England will be aiming to win the Women's World Cup for the first time but face a tough path to the final](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/01/15/73844241-12319349-image-a-6_1690900195053.jpg)
England will be aiming to win the Women's World Cup for the first time but face a tough path to the final
![The Lionesses finished top of Group D after winning all three of their games](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/03/13/73843045-12319349-The_Lionesses_finished_top_of_Group_D_after_winning_all_three_of-a-1_1691064593675.jpg)
The Lionesses finished top of Group D after winning all three of their games
Round of 16
After finishing top of Group D, they will face the runners-up of Group B, which was Nigeria.
The two teams will go head-to-head at the Stadium Australia on Monday, August 7.
The Lionesses will certainly fancy their chance against the No 40 ranked nation in the world.
Nigeria's highest finish at the tournament came at the 1999 showcase in the US when they were knocked out in the quarter-finals.
Randy Waldrum's side finished runners-up in Group B on five points, one behind group winners Australia.
Their only win of the tournament came against the Aussies, winning 3-2 in the second game. Nigeria's other two group stage games ended in 0-0 draws against the Republic of Ireland and Canada.
![Sarina Wiegman's England will face Nigeria for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/01/15/73842995-12319349-image-a-1_1690898618010.jpg)
Sarina Wiegman's England will face Nigeria for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals
![The two teams will go head-to-head at the Stadium Australia on Monday, August 7 .](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/01/15/73844319-12319349-image-a-12_1690900282951.jpg)
The two teams will go head-to-head at the Stadium Australia on Monday, August 7 .
![Alessia Russo will be hoping to fire England into the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/04/16/73970707-12319349-image-a-5_1691162251160.jpg)
![Alessia Russo will be hoping to fire England into the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/04/16/73970709-12319349-image-m-4_1691162232132.jpg)
Alessia Russo will be hoping to fire England into the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup
Quarter-final
If England beat Nigeria, they will face the winner of Group H or the runner-up in Group F in Sydney on Saturday, August 12.
Group F contains France, Jamaica, Panama and Brazil, while Group H includes Germany, Morocco, Colombia and South Korea.
France secured top spot following their 6-3 win against Panama in their final group stage game.
France, who were unbeaten in the qualifiers, have reached at least the quarter-finals in the last three World Cups.
As for Brazil, they will not be playing any more part in the tournament following their shock 0-0 draw with Jamaica. The South American side finished third in the group, one point behind second place.
Jamaica, who finished second, will face Colombia in the round of 16 after the South American side finished top of Group H.
Herve Renard's France side are set to face Morocco for a place in the quarter-finals. Germany finished third in Group H and were knocked out of the tournament after suffering a shock draw to South Korea in their final game.
The result means that the Germans have failed to make it out of the group stages for the first time in their history.
![England could face France in the quarter-finals should they defeat Nigeria in the Round of 16 and France finish runners-up](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/01/15/73843183-12319349-image-a-3_1690899064307.jpg)
England could face France in the quarter-finals should they defeat Nigeria in the Round of 16 and France finish runners-up
Semi-final
England will be looking to reach the semi-finals of the tournament for the third time in a row.
Should they reach the last four after heading through as group winners, they could face the runner-up of their group, Denmark, or one of Germany, France and Brazil.
Australia could also face England in the last four, providing they defeat Denmark and then win their quarter-final match.
![The Lionesses will be looking to reach the Women's World Cup final for the first time ever](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/03/13/73843843-12319349-The_Lionesses_will_be_looking_to_reach_the_Women_s_World_Cup_fin-a-2_1691064593677.jpg)
The Lionesses will be looking to reach the Women's World Cup final for the first time ever
![The Lionesses could face USA in the final - which is due to take place on Sunday, August 20](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/01/15/73844061-12319349-image-a-5_1690900017748.jpg)
The Lionesses could face USA in the final - which is due to take place on Sunday, August 20
Final
The Lionesses will be looking to reach the final for the first time ever at this year's tournament.
Their best achievement came back in 2015 when they finished third in Canada.
It is likely that Wiegman's side will face USA, who are chasing their fourth World Cup title in a row.
Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands are three teams who are also capable of reaching the final.
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