Focus on the Women’s World Cup 2023
We provide an in-depth focus on the Women’s World Cup 2023, with a review of the tournament favourites.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off on 20 July 2023 as joint hosts New Zealand take on Norway to get the tournament started. Just a few hours later, fellow co-hosts Australia play Republic of Ireland – a game that has sold out the 80,000 capacity at Stadium Australia.
The success of the Women’s Euros 2022 with famous stadiums like Wembley and Old Trafford selling out has paved the way and shown that there is a major appetite for watching women’s football, both in the stands and at home. England’s Lionesses may have lifted the Euros trophy but women’s football was the overall winner.
Records were shattered along the pathway to England’s victory over Germany in a packed-out Wembley Stadium and the WWC 2023 promises more of the same. Australia are one of the favourites to win the tournament and if the nation gets behind them the same way the England fans pushed on their heroes in 2022, Australia could be the ones making history this time.
Which teams are favourite for the Women’s World Cup 2023?
According to the bookies, these are the favourites for winning the Women’s World Cup 2023 going into the tournament:
United States 5/2
United States are the favourites with most bookies providing odds of 5/2. Having won the World Cup four times, they are no strangers to success and their squad oozes experience and confidence on the big stage.
Players such as Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz might be reaching the end of their careers but they know exactly what it takes to win the WWC. The combination of the experienced players with their embedded winning mentality, along with young stars such as Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman could be the lethal formula that goes all the way in this tournament.
England 7/2
After the glory of winning the Women’s Euros 2022, England are a team that everyone will be wary of. However, they will be without some massive players. Captain Leah Williamson and the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament winner Beth Mead are both recovering from ACL injuries suffered while playing for their club team Arsenal.
With Jill Scott and Ellen White retiring, Sarina Wiegman will be forced to rely more on youth this time around. Chelsea’s Lauren James is one player that is being touted as a future star, while players like Rachel Daly and Chloe Kelly have had outstanding seasons in the WSL. Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh recently celebrated winning the Champion’s League with Barcelona, bringing some more silverware winning experience into the squad.
Spain 6/1
Spain’s preparations for the WWC have been overclouded by an ongoing dispute between the players and the hierarchy. Some of the 15 players involved in the dispute have returned to the team, while noteable players including Patri, Mapi and Panos miss out after failing to resolve their issues with the national team.
Two-time Ballon d’or winner Alexia Putellas has recovered from her ACL injury in time to make the squad, scoring in their warm up match against Panama to prove she is ready to start the games.
5-time Pichichi winner and Spain’s all-time leading goalscorer Jenni Hermoso is back in the squad, along with Irene Paredes and Aitana Bonmati. After helping Barcelona lift the Champions League without Alexias Putellas, Bonmati is one of the favourites to win the next Ballon d’Or.
Some top performances in the WWC will significantly improve her chances of winning the award, given that last year’s top two players Alexia Putellas and Beth Mead will be out of the running.
Despite the turmoil leading up to the tournament, this squad has some of the best players in the world and are expected to progress to the latter stages, at least.
Germany 13/2
Similar to their American counterparts, Germany have a winning mentality engrained throughout their team. The two-time world champions have also won 8 European Championships. After a painful loss in the final of Euros 2022, they will be looking to set the record straight.
Seasoned pros like Alexandra Popp, Melanie Leupolz, Sara Dabritz and Svenja Huth have close to 400 international caps between them. Prolific stars in the squad include Lena Oberdorf and Jule Brand, who could increase their profile in this tournament. You can never write Germany off and they are likely to be in the mix at towards the end of the tournament.
Australia 10/1
With home advantage, Australia have a very strong chance of going far in the FIFA WWC. Australia’s best run in the World Cup was reaching the quarter-finals in 2007, 2011 and 2015.
Since the last tournament, they have built a team capable of going further. Nine players named in the Australia World Cup squad have over 100 caps, so this team has a core of players that have played together many times.
The Matildas boast some of the world’s top players and Sam Kerr is a name needs no introduction. The Chelsea striker has been a consistent force in the WSL and the UWCL and will lead her team out on home soil.
Caitlin Foord has been on top form for Arsenal this season and her club team mate Steph Catley will play in her third World Cup campaign. Ellie Carpenter made a successful ACL comeback to help her club Lyon reach the UWCL semi-finals.
The experience of senior players such as Clare Polkinghorne and Lydia Williams should provide a good balance with some of the younger players.
France 10/1
France have a had a similarly rocky route to the World Cup in terms of what has been going on off the pitch. A number of players including captain Wendie Renard quit the team, leading to the sacking of manager Corinne Diacre. The new manager Herve Renard has had limited time to work with his team. Nevertheless, they are still amongst the favourites for lifting the Women’s World Cup 2023.
The ever-consistent presence of Wendie Renard always makes the team difficult to beat. France fans will also be looking forward to seeing how Selma Bacha, Kadidiatou Diani and Amandine Henry will perform in this tournament. WSL followers will be aware of the incredible season Kenza Dali has hd at Aston Villa.