Women's World Cup Schedule 2019: Bracket Predictions for Round-of-16 Fixtures

The last-16 bracket for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup is set, after the curtain came down on the group stage on Thursday.

The United States women's national team continued their excellent form, making it three wins in succession with a 2-0 victory over Sweden. They will face Spain, who were runners-up to Germany in Group B, on Monday.

Other standout matches include the showdown between hosts France and Brazil. England and Germany, who won all three of their group matches, will face Cameroon and Nigeria respectively; the Netherlands also have a perfect record and will face 2015 runners-up Japan.

Here is the last-16 lineup in full, as well as a preview of what to expect from these eight matches and beyond.

Women's World Cup: Last-16 Fixtures (Times in BST)

Saturday, June 22: Germany vs. Nigeria, 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 22: Norway vs. Australia, 8 p.m.

Sunday, June 23: England vs. Cameroon, 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 23: France vs. Brazil, 8 p.m.

Monday, June 24 : Spain vs. United States, 5 p.m.

Monday, June 24: Sweden vs. Canada, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, June 25: Italy vs. China, 5 p.m.

Tuesday, June 25: Netherlands vs. Japan, 8 p.m.

Preview

Although there is still a long way to go in the World Cup, the early stages of the competition have emphasised that the United States remain the team to beat.

After brushing aside Thailand and Chile, they were expected to be given a much more challenging test by Sweden. However, head coach Jill Ellis was able to watch her players make light work of their opponents, with Lindsey Horan's opener and an own goal from Jonna Andersson proving enough for victory.

There were signs that this is a team beginning to go through the gears, too. As noted by sports presenter Arlo White, some of the football played by the USWNT was spellbinding:

Stopping the holders will be a huge task for Spain, especially given La Roja have failed to find the net in their last two games against China and Germany.

Away from the United States, host nation France will feel they can compete for the prize, having won all of their group games.

Les Bleues haven't been flawless in their matches, though, and needed a controversial retaken penalty to overcome Nigeria on Monday.

French football journalist Jeremy Smith said the hosts need to improve if they're going to go all the way:

They will be favourites against a Brazil team that have been well below their best at the competition, albeit they still have some world-class players, most notably Marta.

England also appear to be warming to the task after producing a professional display to beat Japan on Wednesday, with Ellen White getting on the scoresheet twice.

At times, Phil Neville's team have been wasteful in possession and fortunate that opposition players have squandered big opportunities, but football journalist Tim Stillman thinks they got things right against Japan:

Cameroon will be confident heading into the game and feel they have nothing to lose, especially given the dramatic manner in which they qualified for the knockout stages:

The manner in which the bracket is set up means some intriguing contests will be on the cards early in the competition, including a possible France-United States quarter-final. England are also in that half of the draw, meaning progression will not be straightforward.

With that in mind, Germany should be good enough to advance to the final on July 7, despite not being at their fluid best so far. But if the United States continue to operate at this level, they will be too good to stop.

Prediction: 1. United States, 2. Germany, 3. England