As the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup gets underway , with 32 teams ready to battle out what is a open tournament with no clear favourite . USA are obvious bookies favourites the back to back champion remain number 1 in the World ranking however they will face challenging obstacles notably possible encounters against a tough Sweden side capable of frustrating and a highly talented Spain despite off field issues remain very strong and capable of upsetting the top dog and gain revenge for a controversial loss in the 2019 tournament in France . Should USA advance through the top half W Euro 2023 champions England , runners up Germany host Australia , France , Brasil , olympic Champions Canada all pose a threat to a three-peat.
Group A
Host New Zealand face a challenging group as they look to earn it’s first ever Fifa Women’s World Cup tournament match win. With the home crowd behind them adrenellin pumping can it be enough for a team limited and prone to conceding goals. Of course they have some very talented players Ali Riley , Olivia Chance , CJ Bott , Ria Percival , Hannah Wilkinson through to youngster Milly Clegg . The host open against Norway July 20.
Norway a team loaded with individual talents that have not found a way to gel as yet in major tournaments. Maybe a issue is while Caroline Graham Hansen pace and skills will be a major threat , is the lack of pace in the rest to stretch opposition defences as the tournament goes on. There is no doubting the individual skills of Hegerberg , Reiten , Maanum , etc, but needs a plan to stop Ada being isolated and coming back to deep . Also under question defensive issues remain should they progress possibility of facing Spain or Japan will severly test the progress since a disssapointing Euros.
Switzerland a team that goes with nothing to lose and give it’s all . A year of mixed performances like New Zealand have many individual talents with experience such as Ramona Bachmann , Ana Maria Crnogorcevic , also Coumba Sow has shown plenty of ability to score . A team certainly capable of picking points in this group but also suspect to lack of awareness in defence and leak avoidable goals.
Philippines lead by coach Alen Stajcic who has moulded together a team that will play with alot of spirit and guts. A run of intriguing performances in the last year in preparation matches Shows they are capable of frustrating teams and in the likes of Sarina Bolden , Chandler McDaniel , Anicka Castañeda capable of scoring goals . Again with other teams in the group is the question of defence, at this high level will be another new experience , they will certainly be set up well and be a joy for fans to watch .
Group C
Spain one of the favourites despite off field issues in the past year have built together a squad that shows capabilities , having defeated USA among others in the preparation match year a highly skilled , technical team with many talents we all know . Added with the extreme pace through Salma Paralluelo will be a very dangerous outfit with Ballon D’or winner Alexia back from injury Aitana Bonmatí pulling the strings very talented Eva Navarro among others, will the success in the past few years in the base categorys finally bare fruit .
Japan a great history in women’s football again will be a delight to watch like Spain a beautiful technical game. They will certainly be difficult to beat always set up very well defence lead by experienced Saki Kumagai , talents in midfield and attack such as Moeka Minami , Jun Endo and highly rated youngster Maika Hamano who is producing excellent performances at Hammarby this season being there on loan from Chelsea . Along with Spain will be favourites to progress .
Zambia at their first world cup are obviously lead by a high class forward trio of Rachael Kundananji , Barbra Banda , Grace Chanda added with Xiomara Mapepa who was the leading scorer in the Zambia Women’s Super League . Experienced Susan Banda returns after missing wafcon 2022 in midfield with the likes of Irene Lungu available who is having a excellent season with BIIK in Kazakhstan . A defense of experience and youth as talented Youngsters Esther Banda 18 and Judith Soko 19 earned squad places having excellent seasons in Zambia WSL with their respective clubs . How Zambia fare is dependent on how it’s defence holds out to go with it’s forward line of blistering pace and midfield capabilities of mixing defence with attack . As in the Olympics they will certainly have watching fans on the edge of the seats and more foreign clubs seeking more players after the tournament .
Costa Rica squad has surprised many it appears a squad to look to the future while gaining valuable tournament experience particularly in the forward line. A highly talented coach Amelie Valverde will certainly have her troops set up well and looking to frustrate opposition . Fabiana Villalobos , Maria Paula Coto , part of a experienced defence . In midfield to quality players Melissa Herrera, Priscilla Chinchilla , Rocky Rodriguez will be key to providing opportunities to talented youngster Maria Paula Salas .
Group E
USA winners of the last two editions enter the tournament again as favourite and with no disrespect to the group opposition are favourites to advance to the knock out phase . However despite the experience left from the 2019 victory injury issues surround pivotal players Rose Lavelle and Megan Rapinoe the question can they stay fit and last a tournament remains. Hopes are pinned on highly talented youth Alyssa Thompson whose passing ability and range of shot can pose problems to the opposition , however sometimes drifts out of games but certainly capable of providing the moment , Trinity Rodman speed scoring and assist capability , Sophia Smith who is in great club form a very great talent from USWNT under achieving base is capable of being one of the tournament stars and to produce in attack with Alex Morgan who enters not in the club form of last year however still a valuable member with her play of assisting defence along with the capability of scoring . Naomie Girma very impressive in the last year or two will be the pivotal defender which has suspects certainly against very equal high class opposition .
Netherlands runners up in 2019 enter the tournament with elements of surprises in selection . Certainly loaded with individual talents , and despite a difficult club season highly regarded youngster and talented Esmee Brugts got the pick over Eredivisie Vrouwen leading scorer Fenna Kalma . The form of Spitse , Roord , Beerensteyn, Pelova will be crucial to Netherlands chances were we know we will get a battling Van de Donk . And what did a suspect defence learn from the Olympics to be able to produce to go deep in the tournament .
Portugal a ever evolving team gaining valuable experience in last year’s euros a team loaded with very talented individuals but again suspect to defensive lapses and at times missing opportunités in attack however as they learn from experience are capable of frustrating opposition. Jessica Silva who hit top form at the start of the year taking her opportunies for SL Benfica will be the key in attack with her pace. Kika , Ana Capeta among others very capable of scoring to and productivity in assist. A defense lead by Carole Costa , Lucia Alves valuable uwcl experience as seen Portugal shore up and prove can be capable of giving opposition at the highest level a tough game the question can it hold for 90 is their test.
Vietnam enter the tournament having played numerous build up games against várious level of opposition . They showed there tanacity in the recent Friendly against Germany and attacking prowess that teams will be wary off. A lovely technical style a team well peiced together however as the daunting opening task of facing a USA team that will certainly test the metal of the defence in the opening period of the first game . Whatever the outcome as the group progresses it will be a gutsy 100% effort and Fans who have not seen them play will enjoy . Nguyen Thi Thuy Hang is one to pose a goal threat , Chuong Thi Kieu is the most experienced defender, Huynh Nhu the captain and Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung provide midfield talent .
Group G
Sweden third place in 2019 always strong well organised and capable of posing a threat . Very experienced squad with the spine Magdelena Eiríksson , Kosovare Asllani , Stína Blackstenius in place along with the width threat of Sofia Jakobsson , Fridolina Rolfo and emerging youth talent such as Hanna Bennison . In Form domestically Madelen Janogy and Olivia Schough provide further threats to once again go deep into the tournament .
South Africa despite issues with Preperation games and recent off field issues leading to the boycott of the send off games the WAFCON reigning champions will be well organised by excellent coach Desiree Ellis, whose technical team study very well the opposition. A defense lead by South Africa domestic Champions and current leaders Mamelodi Sundowns veteran Lebohang Ramalepe will be set up to frustrate the opposition and use the attacking talents such as Hilda Magaila , Thembi Kgatlana, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Gabriela Salgado with midfielders Refiloe Jane , Thembi Kgatlana , Mapula Kgoale other goal threats from midfield. They are in a group where they are capable of progressing to the second round shoring up there defence which had issues in some preparation matches with not all players available in various encounters.
Italy sprung surprises in changing of the guard in various positions . A well organised team very sound technical players will provide stiff opposition for all group teams. The likes of Bartoli , Girelli , Bonansea , Cantore, Giacinti among others are capable of providing a threat . A problem maybe as though the play is very nice to see sometimes can be slow and predictable . Including very highly rated youngster Giulli Dragoni in the final squad came as a surprise . It is a tournament she will definitely learn valuable future experience but maybe to early in her career to provide a full impact .
Argentina , a physical style of defence and cameo attacking technically sound and some very high quality individuals such as Estefânia Banini , Florencia Bonsegundo , Youngsters Dalila Ippolito , promising youth talent Chiara Singarella one of the talents that came through the base categorys in the past four years . Yamila Rodriguez ,Mariana Larroquette provide dangerous goal threats along with another emerging talent Paulina Gramaglia. A team certainly exciting to watch need to keep well disciplined and not give opposition to many free kick opportunities near it’s own goal
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