The Women’s World Cup, which is being held in Australia and New Zealand, gets underway on July 20 and ends with the final on August 20.
Here our writers predict who will be lifting the trophy and which player will win the Golden Boot as well as identify the players to watch and dark horses.
Who will win the 2023 World Cup?
Tom Garry: Germany. They are in a very difficult section of the draw, which arguably gives the United States the edge, but their squad has an exciting mix of youth and experience so, if they can click, they will be really dangerous.
The answer to this question should be ‘Spain’, as their golden generation now reach their peak years, but their off-field issues make them too unpredictable and they have left three of the world’s best players at home, in Mapi Leon, Patri Guijarro and Sandro Panos.
England, despite their injuries, remain a very strong contender and watch out for Australia.
Fiona Thomas: I’d love to say England, but with the amount of injury setbacks they will not be the same force as they were during the Euros. It is probably the most open World Cup there has ever been, but it is hard to look past the USA, who will be gunning for a third consecutive title. They are a champion outfit and even though they are missing some key names, they always rise to the big occasion.
Luke Edwards: It is always difficult to look beyond reigning champions USA heading into any World Cup, but despite their injuries, England have as good a chance as anyone. Sarina Wiegman is probably the best international manager in the women’s game and the Lionesses are the best side in Europe.
Who are the dark horses?
TG: Norway. Nobody seems to be talking about them but they are a dangerous side in a relatively weak-looking Group A and should progress as a group winner. They will be out to prove a point after their poor showing at Euro 2022. In Chelsea’s Guro Reiten and Arsenal’s Frida Maanum they have two of the best performers in last season’s WSL, as well as former Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg up front. There are question marks about their defense, but I can see them sneaking into a quarter-final or even beyond. Keep an eye also on Brazil, who have great attacking talent and do not concede many goals.
FT: Australia. They will back themselves at their home tournament and you can count on their star striker Sam Kerr, who will be the figurehead for the Matildas and the poster girl for the tournament, to lead from the front.
LE: Germany were narrowly beaten by England in last summer’s European Championship and will once again deserve respect, but it is co-hosts Australia who could be the surprise of the tournament. With home backing, they will be dangerous.
Which team are you most looking forward to watching?
TG: Australia. The stage is set for Chelsea star Sam Kerr to inspire a nation and, with Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley among their other stars, they could be very entertaining. Brazil should also be great fun to watch for neutrals.
FT: Ireland, of course! They totally deserve to be playing in their first major tournament and are a gritty side who will embrace their tag as plucky underdogs. Under the captaincy of Arsenal’s Katie McCabe, they will be chomping at the bit to put women’s soccer on the map back home.
LE: Intrigued to see how Spain gets on given their recent turmoil and the talent at their disposal. The Republic of Ireland have done extremely well to qualify, but this is a chance to really put women’s football at the top of the news agenda.
And the player?
TG: Trinity Rodman. At only 21 years old, the Washington Spirit forward is part of a new generation of US stars who have come through since their last World Cup triumph, and could have a huge tournament. She was the NWSL ‘Rookie of the Year’ in 2021, made her international debut last year, and now arrives Down Under after scoring twice against Wales in the US’s send-off friendly – becoming the youngest US player to get two goals in a game . And she’s the daughter of former basketball star Dennis Rodman.
FT: Keira Walsh. The Barcelona and England maestro has consistently underlined why she is the best holding midfielder in the women’s game and as the ultimate big-game player she will be key to the Lionesses’ campaign.
LE: Melchie Dumornay. The Haitian striker has just signed for European giants Lyon and the 19-year-old is widely regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in the global game. England will face her in their first group game.
Who will be the top scorer?
TG: Caroline Graham Hansen. A slightly left-field answer, but Norway has the potential to score a lot of goals against some poor defenses in Group A and the Barcelona winger is unstoppable when she finds her form. A more sensible writer than myself would say the USA’s Sophia Smith, Germany’s Alexandra Popp or Sam Kerr.
FT: Sam Kerr. She is such a clinical finisher and an intelligent footballer who looks like she has fun every time she is on a football pitch. She will shoulder the hopes of a nation with relative ease and with any luck we’ll be treated to some acrobatic goal celebrations too.
LE: The USA’s Alex Morgan will be difficult to beat, but Australia and Chelsea star Sam Kerr could well be prolific too. It will be fascinating to see whether England’s Rachel Daly, who played at left-back in the Euros, can take her excellent domestic goalscoring record to the international stage.
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