The Football Ferns’ World Cup journey has come to an early end, but the the good news is there are plenty of bandwagons waiting to be boarded in time for the knockout rounds. Which one should you jump on?

Norway

New Zealand football enthusiasts have been dining out on the All Whites’ status as the only undefeated team at the 2010 men’s World Cup (eventual champions Spain lost their opening game, the All Whites’ three draws weren’t enough to progress to the knockouts) for well over a decade. If Norway turn their sinking ship around and go all the way in this World Cup we’ll be able to feast on the fact that the Football Ferns defeated the world champions. After losing to us in the opener, Gresshoppene fought out a grim 0-0 draw with Switzerland before finally showing their attacking power in a 6-0 walkover of the Philippines. How good would it be if they can overcome their many off-field controversies and complete the ultimate turnaround?

Japan

Nadeshiko might not give Norway much of chance, though. They carved up number-one tournament villains Spain on Monday night in Wellington to top Group C and are far-and-away the top goalscorers in the entire tournament with 11 (and zero conceded). Coach Futoshi Ikeda has left behind almost all the legacy players of the sides that won in 2011 and came second in 2015, shaping a new generation into his exciting 3-4-3 formation. Japan are playing the best, most tactically coherent football in the comp – and might have the best jerseys too.

Netherlands

Many thought this Oranje squad looked a bit old and vulnerable coming into the tournament, especially without injured star Vivianne Miedema. But they are getting the job done, and absolutely dominated two-time defending champs USA in the first half of their 2019 final rematch in Wellington last Thursday. It finished 1-1, but it was great to see how the Dutch rattled their overconfident (if impeccably dressed) opponents and backed up some fighting talk on the pitch. They followed that up by scoring the most goals in one game so far on Tuesday night, thumping Vietnam 7-0 to top Group E and book an easier path through the playoffs.

Sweden

Centre back Amanda Ilestedt has three goals in two games (one behind the tournament’s top scorer Hinata Miyazawa of Japan) – all of them close-range headers from in-swinging corners delivered perfectly by Kosovare Asllani and Jonna Andersson. A bit like the rolling maul in rugby union (remember England at last year’s Rugby World Cup?) they don’t make for the most attractive goals, but you have to respect the execution. Blågult are tall, fast and physical, and because they apply those traits better than anyone, they’re strong candidates to win the whole thing.

South Africa

Banyana Banyana (literally “girls girls”) almost had Sweden in a wet Wellington opening game, taking a 1-0 lead before going down in the 90th minute. They were also up 2-0 against Argentina in Dunedin but ended up having to settle for a draw, again unable to close the game down. If the Football Ferns didn’t quite satisfy your need for glorious underdog so-close-yet-so-far failure, tune in to South Africa vs Italy (7pm tonight on Sky Sport, free-to-air on Prime and streaming on Stuff). They could even pull it off – Stuff’s power rankings give them a 22% chance of making the knockouts.

Australia

I know we traditionally love to hate the Aussies, but if there’s ever a time to put the rivalry to one side it’s to cheer on our fellow co-hosts as they look to go deep in this World Cup. Excitement and expectations were both sky-high for the Matildas before Sam Kerr’s injury was revealed on opening night and things got tricky against Ireland and Nigeria. While she didn’t play, just having her on the bench and available seemed to finally spark Australia as they tore Olympic champions Canada to shreds on Monday to top Group B in style. Tougher opponents await, but with two whole countries behind them the “Tillies” could just waltz all the way.

Nigeria

The Super Falcons have a superstar striker of their own in Barcelona’s Asisat Oshoala, whose winning goal off the bench against Australia was accompanied by an instantly iconic celebration and post-match interview. Basically every team at the tournament has battled some level of off-field bullshit from their national federation, but I think Nigeria takes the cake with players having threatened to boycott games because the Nigeria Football Federation reneged on their pay agreement. When Texan coach Randy Waldrum publicly called them out, an NFF official called him “Mr Blabbermouth” and the “worst coach to have handled the Super Falcons of Nigeria, by a country mile”. If Mr Blabbermouth can lead his team past Group D winner England in the Round of 16, Nigeria will make the quarterfinals and equal Africa’s greatest ever result at a Women’s World Cup.

England

The Lionesses, however, are looking very tough to beat – they sit just behind the (so far disappointing) USA and Spain as the favourites win the whole tournament. They’re far from an underdog story like some of the other teams mentioned, but after sparking a sporting revolution by finally bringing football home at the 2022 European Championships, England’s women have the chance outdo the men for the second year in a row. Much like their male counterparts, the Lionesses may have to let go of their typically pragmatic approach to get the most out of their talented attackers; 21-year-old Lauren James is their breakout star of the tournament so far, scoring six minutes into her first start against Denmark and adding two (three but for an unlucky offside ruling by VAR) more in a 6-1 dismantling of China.

Germany

Another blue-blood footballing nation, Germany are typically seen as the robotic bad guys at most World Cups, but this edition of DFB-Frauen are uncharacteristically loveable. Their captain and best player Alex Popp is a qualified zookeeper and has been celebrating her goals in Australia by phoning home like ET. Her fellow forward Klara Bühl crocheted a koala named Waru, who has become their mascot on the bench. Even younger than the 22-year-old Bühl are emerging world stars Jule Brand and Lena Oberdorf – their youthful exuberance and overflowing potential give the team its slightly hectic identity, for better and worse.

Colombia

One reason New Zealand fans can relate to Germany at this World Cup is they also lost to massive underdogs in their second group game, with Colombia netting the winning goal deep in injury time. Las Chicas Superpoderosas (which means “Powerpuff Girls”!) are the firm fan favourites in Australia besides the Matildas thanks to vibrant supporters and some brilliant attacking talent. Colombia have all but secured knockout qualification with a match still to play, and their frontline including Catalina Usme and Mayra Ramirez has the giants of women’s football running scared. And at just 18 years old, Linda Caicedo is delivering on her hype as the sport’s next superstar.