The World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico has been expanded to 48 teams, meaning direct qualification for the best team from Oceania.
Germany came crashing back down to earth at the hands of a Colombia side inspired by 18-year-old Linda Caicedo and roared on by the majority of a rowdy 40,000 crowd in Sydney.
The Philippines claimed a historic first World Cup win on Tuesday as they stunned co-hosts New Zealand 1-0 thanks to a first-half Sarina Bolden header.