Group Stage
The first round, or group stage, sees the sixteen teams divided into four groups of four teams. Each group is a round-robin of six games, where each team plays one match against each of the other teams in the same group. Teams are awarded three points for a win, one point for a draw and none for a defeat. The teams finishing first and second in each group qualifies for the quarter-finals.
The match schedule for the tournament was released on 20 March 2009, with the hosts placed in position A1. Unlike previous Women's World Cup final tournaments, there were no double-headers, but matches on the same day were held in different venues. According to the Organising Committee, this "signals the increased quality and status of the women's finals".
- Tie-breaking criteria
Teams are ranked on the following criteria:
- 1. Greater number of points in all group matches
- 2. Goal difference in all group matches
- 3. Greater number of goals scored in all group matches
- 4. Greatest number of points in matches between teams
- 5. Goal difference in matches between teams
- 6. Greatest number of goals scored in matches between teams
- 7. Fair play criteria based on red and yellow cards received
- 8. Drawing of lots by the FIFA Organising Committee
- All times are in the CEST time zone (UTC+2).
| Key to colours in group tables | |
|---|---|
| Group winners and runners-up advance to the quarter-finals | |
Read more about this topic: 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup
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