A group that could easily be considered one of death consists of two World Cup champions and two dominant regional forces. Spain and Japan both bring technical dazzling football while Brazil and Nigeria also bring a unique flair that is at the core of their identity.
Buckle up, this group is a mystery waiting to unfold. It’s gonna be fun, gorgeous and likely heart-breaking for many.
Spain: The weight of champions
Spain isn’t a team to mess with following their swift rise from relative wilderness to World Champions. Now is the time to show they can handle the weight of being champions.
In a squad possessing some of the world’s best players, including two Ballon D’Or winners, saying they’re stacked with talent would be an understatement. It would be like saying a paella is a decent feed – totally underselling its delicious brilliance.
Playing with the weight of expectations can be difficult, but it’s a feeling many of their players know well. With many plying their trade at Barcelona, they know what it’s like to be champions and keeping the bar high. That experience is going to be essential to the world champions if they want to win a second major tournament in quick succession.
Winning the UEFA Nations League in February suggests Spain hasn’t taken their eyes off the prize. Almost in cruise control, they sailed past difficult opponents in France, Netherlands and Sweden almost without breaking a sweat. The only glimpse of a post-world cup hang over was a 3-2 lose against Italy.
It was this confidence and ease that almost saw them slip up at the World Cup. The stakes were raised and they nearly failed to navigate their early games, including suffering a demolition at the hands of Japan in the group stage.
But when Spain found their grove there was simply no stopping them. The final was a one-sided affair and barely conceded a chance having found the top gear of champions. With the nature of the Olympics, if they find their groove quickly they could go on to win the whole thing.
The game to circle in the calendar is against Japan. The Asian nation had their number in the group stage of the World Cup and will be looking to apply the same formula. Spain enter knowing Japan is capable of scoring from any half-opportunity. But this is a chance for the champs to banish any lingering ghosts quickly against a young and plucky nation.
Japan is only Spain’s first hurdle. African superpowers Nigeria has the tactical nouce to cause Spain headaches. Spain won’t be able to let their guard down against a side who will have circled on a whiteboard somewhere the key moments to break Spain down and walk away with a win.
Add Brazil into the mix, and there’s no easy games for Spain to warm up to the competition.
Spain herald a new world order in women’s football. They’ve not only knocked the USWNT off their perch of an unprecedented run of World Cups, but have also challenged the status quo in Europe of Germany and the Nordic countries historically being their best performers.
Whether we get entertaining show-boating matches, or a measured, discipline, boring predicatability there’s one thing that’s almost certain: a strong Olympic outing and medal would cement Spain’s dynasty.
Brazil: Bouncing back from disappointment
If there’s ever a time to bounce back from disappointment of a fizzer of a World Cup, it’s now soon after being announced World Cup 2027 hosts would be perfect for Brazil.
Even if building the hype of a home World Cup wasn’t tantalising enough, the Paris Olympics is set to be the last international tournament for Marta, and likely her striking partner in arms Cristiane – if both are selected for the squad. Both veterans have the experience and talent to be game changers even if they’re relied upon sparingly from the bench. The later dropped out of favour, her return during the She Believes Cup and ability to score could be a game-changer from the bench.
With their back against the wall and needing a win in the final group stage of the World Cup, Brazil were held goalless against a plucky Jamaica in one of the more grittier games of the tournament. It was a tournament where their final arrived early in game two against France in a festival-esque match. The blockbuster served a devastating blow that took the wind out of their sales leading to the disappointing Jamaica draw.
The rollercoaster World Cup could be exactly what a young Brazil team needs to develop into world beaters, with the Olympics the first opportunity to show if they’re quick learners.
Pia Sundhage perhaps hit the accelerator too early in that transition from the old to the new, but it could be Arthur Elias who replaced the Swede in September who could benefit. His squads have seen the return of Cristiane, while keeping the exciting up-and-coming talent that could guide the nation for the next decade.
While qualifying back in 2022 for the Olympics, Brazil have continued to dominate against fellow South American sides. They remained unbeaten in the Gold Cup until meeting the USWNT. While against stiffer opposition in the friendly tournament, She Believes Cup, only penalties separated them from Japan and Canada.
That experience against Japan will hold them in good stead at the Olympics with the two to once again face off. The game will no doubtedly be dripping with style and entertainment, with both sides looking to show off a new generation that has the ability to become world champions if they play their cards right.
Meanwhile no test will be tougher than against Spain. This is where experienced goalscorers of Marta and Cristiane might become invaluable. Spain will serve up few chances to score, so it will be imperative Brazil takes even the slightest. But, if they bring the intensity they did against France 12 months ago they could cause an upset against the World Champions.
An opening game against Nigeria will bring two continental giants together in what will set the tempo of the tournament for both. If Brazil don’t get the early win, they’ll need to show they learnt the lessons from last year.
It’s a rare sight to see Brazil knocked out in a group stage, and if there’s ever a time to bounce back it has to be now. The promise of a home World Cup is a tantalising one and a strong Olympic tournament really ignite the party for 2027.
Nigeria: Discipline in the chaos
Underestimate Nigeria at your peril, even in a group with the World Champions and a former world champion, they’re still deadly. Just ask the Matildas.
Of course top of mind for Australians is Nigeria’s win in Brisbane, where they knew the exact moment to strike. The bigger the game, the seemingly better Nigeria can be – particularly with their strategic nous. The only thing that stopped them going deeper than the round of 16 was the lottery of penalties against eventual finalists England.
It’s no surprise they can mastermind upsets against strong teams with American Randy Waldrum at the helm. Their World Cup results also arrived against the backdrop that players were allegedly unpaid upon entering the competition.
The decision for Waldrum to remain as coach, despite any ongoing turmoil in the federation, will once again prove invaluable in a difficult group of Spain, Japan and Brazil. If there’s one coach who can navigate an escape the group stage with a young exciting squad at their disposal, his name is top of mind.
Surprisingly, Nigeria has been in the Olympics wilderness of having not qualified since 2008. They’ll know how rare and difficult of an opportunity it is and will want to make it count.
It wasn’t an easy path to break their duck to make it to the tournament but they managed it with nil-all draws and 1-0 wins. One of those wins on aggravate was against reigning African Champions South Africa.
The results only demonstrate how vital Chiamaka Nnadozie is in goals. The Paris FC keeper is their rock at the back and each match of the World Cup she proved why she’s among the best in the world.
Nigeria’s stinginess to concede will be pivotal if they wish to escape the group stage. It’s a handy tool against both Spain and Brazil, who despite both dripping in creative talent that can bamboozal defences, can be thrown off their game to be left goalless. It doesn’t guarantee any form of points, but it certainly means its on the table for Nigeria to grab.
A sterner test perhaps will be Japan who at their best are extremely clinical. That will be where Nigeria will need to show their discipline and demand the game doesn’t become a contest of who scores more. Despite Japan scoring fewer in 2024, they have it in their arsenal and Nigeria has been less free flowing up front.
The experience of taking England tooth and nail after putting Australia to the slaughter at the World Cup will be invaluable. They’re a side who can navigate through chaotic moments and hype to get the result they need – or close to.
If Nigeria can translate that into their group stage performances they’ll be able to navigate their group. If not, it could a long slog of narrow losses and another lesson under their belt. African teams showed they were a force to reckon with in the World Cup, this Nigeria side has the ingredients to produce something special.
Japan: Stamina for the new generation
We all knew Japan wouldn’t rest of their laurels of winning the World Cup once, and they’ve not disappointed.
Having seen the writing on the wall after being failing to pass the first knock out round at the 2019 World Cup and the following Olympics, they cleared house and bet it all on a fresh new generation, not clinging to the past that has taken them to numerous grand finals. So far that gamble looks promising and that it could pay off.
The bar of expectation will be set very high already despite the squad on the whole being at the very beginning of their cycle with many good years ahead of them. So far Japan has proven at their best they can beat anyone in the world, but take the foot off the pedal and they’ll be outwitted by a more experienced opponent like they suffered at the hands of Sweden in the World Cup.
Since, it’s been relatively smooth sailing through Asian qualifiers, even with the prickly and unpredictable Korea DPR to navigate.
Pre-tournament games against New Zealand and Ghana should help Japan’s attack warm up to each other again and ease the tap back on to free-scoring attacks.
Brazil will be a familiar opponent when they meet in the group stage with the two young squads meeting in a pair of friendlies in December and more recently in the She Believes Cup. The mix of results suggests points are up for grabs for both sides.
Like any good Japanese team, this is a side who emphasis team creativity and unity. They can move the ball around like they’re cutting through butter with a warm knife – with devastating effect that you wouldn’t think possible. They’re perhaps the only team who can match and even surpass the combination play that Spain are renowned for.
It was Japan’s ability to be ruthless at any and all scoring opportunities that dismantled Spain so swiftly last year and they’ll need to be at their very best to pull the same trick against them again. Have no doubt, no matter their last encounter, Spain go into any and all games this tournament as favourites. But a young, gutsy Japan team could once again cause an upset if they can return to their free scoring ways.
Japan’s ability to score will also be well and truly tested against a stern Nigeria who isn’t fond of conceding too many goals, if any.
The biggest question mark over Japan, and most young teams that have gone through a major period of transition over a couple of years, will be their stamina. Can the Nadeshiko hit their stride at the right times, not peak too early and fizzle out.
Certainly, there’s a feeling this is a squad that could go on and challenge deep into future tournaments, but is the time right now? It’s a lot of pressure but they have the quality and a seemingly endless supply of talent to do so.
READ MORE: GROUP A France’s burden, Colombia a new giant, Canada’s new era, NZ building momentum
GROUP B: Aus’ last dance, USWNT point to prove, Germany sleeping giants, Zambia’s superstars
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