Spain and Japan are already aiming for qualification, Canada in search of a first victory… The program of Wednesday’s matches

Who will be the first teams qualified for the knockout stages of the World Cup? With a situation that did not settle in Group A on Tuesday, the answer could come from Group C whose second matches take place on Wednesday July 26.

7 a.m.: Japan-Costa Rica (France 3)

Easy winner of Zambia (5-0), Japan has the opportunity to validate its ticket for the round of 16 if it wins against Costa Rica, in Dunedin, New Zealand. The Costa Ricans logically lost 3-0 against the Spaniards, big favorites of the group, in their first match, and no longer have the right to make mistakes if they want to keep their chance of seeing the rest of the competition. But with players who play for the most part in the weak national championship, the task promises to be difficult for the Ticas.

9:30 am: Spain-Zambia (France 3)

After shooting 46 times against Costa Rica, Spain should have a similar game against a modest Zambia side. This meeting, quite unbalanced on paper, could also seal the fate of group C, since in the event of victory, and according to the score of Japan-Costa Rica, the Spaniards will be guaranteed to qualify for the round of 16, and the Zambians could be eliminated even before playing their third match.

2 p.m.: Canada-Ireland (M6)

Held in check by a good team from Nigeria in their first match (0-0), the Canadians, Olympic champions in title, must react against Ireland. The Irish are taking part in the World Cup for the first time and had a difficult start against the Australian hosts, with a defeat (1-0). With its attacking armada, made up of Christine Sinclair (190 goals in 132 caps), former Parisian Jordyn Huitema (now at OL Reign) and Adriana Leon (Manchester United), and its equally experienced defense, Canada will try to win its first victory in this World Cup.