United States and England -- the reigning satellite and European champions -- are connected people to conscionable successful adjacent year's Women's World Cup last successful Sydney aft being kept isolated successful the gully for the 2023 tournament, to beryllium co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
- Stream connected ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, much (U.S.)
Vlatko Andonovski's USWNT are aiming to go the archetypal squad successful some the men's and women's crippled to triumph 3 successive World Cups, having emerged arsenic champions successful 2015 and 2019, but they look a conflict to apical Group E having been paired with Netherlands successful a repetition of the last successful Lyon, France, 4 years ago.
England, who bushed Germany successful the last of Euro 2022 astatine Wembley, could look co-hosts Australia successful the circular of 16 if they apical Group D arsenic expected, aft being paired with China, Denmark and the winners of the Chile / Senegal / Haiti playoff path.
- 2023 Women's World Cup afloat bracket and fixtures schedule
New Zealand volition look 1995 satellite champions Norway successful the opening crippled of the tourney astatine Eden Park, Auckland, connected July 20, with Australia kicking disconnected their run against Republic of Ireland astatine the Sydney Football Stadium aboriginal the aforesaid day.
In different stand-out pairings, France volition conscionable Brazil successful Group F, with Sweden and Italy pitched unneurotic successful Group G.
How volition it each play out? ESPN's Marissa Lordanic (Groups A, B), Mark Ogden (Groups C, D), Sophie Lawson (Groups E, F) and Becky Thompson (Groups G, H) person assessed each radical to foretell the large games and the teams who volition advance.
Jump to: Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H
GROUP A
New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Switzerland
If ever determination was a clip for New Zealand to nab their first-ever Women's World Cup win, 2023 is surely it.
The perks of hosting are specified that the Football Ferns whitethorn ne'er person a amended accidental astatine creating a small spot of Kiwi history. Standing successful their way, however, are Norway, Switzerland and the Philippines.
Norway's Euro 2022 run was thing abbreviated of a catastrophe truthful redemption volition beryllium beforehand of caput for Hege Riise's side. Switzerland, meanwhile, volition beryllium enjoying their instrumentality to the satellite signifier for the archetypal clip since 2015 but volition apt beryllium conscionable arsenic disappointed astatine their radical signifier exit from this year's continental tournament. The Philippines are 1 of a fig of countries who volition sensation World Cup shot for the archetypal time. Alen Stajcic has big-tournament experience, aft his stint with Australia, but tin helium impart that contented into his broadside and get a historical archetypal triumph arsenic well?
Must-see match: New Zealand vs. Norway
Is it a small spot of a bull retired to enactment the opening crippled arsenic the indispensable ticker one? Maybe so. But opening matches genuinely are thing special.
In countries similar Australia and New Zealand, who don't get to acquisition moments similar these successful shot precise often, if ever, the parochialism of a location assemblage volition beryllium worthy the terms of admission.
X factor: Can Hegerberg bash it connected a acold nighttime successful Auckland?
Ada Hegerberg had agelong been the asterisk erstwhile it came to Norway's chances astatine large tournaments, but her instrumentality to the nationalist squad surely didn't spell to program successful England for the Euros. In what would beryllium her archetypal Women's World Cup since 2015, Hegerberg volition erstwhile again beryllium the absorption of a Norwegian squad which has plentifulness of big-name players but has yet to enactment successful a big-team show connected the satellite stage.
Predicted finish: Norway, Switzerland, New Zealand, Philippines
GROUP B
Australia, Republic of Ireland, Nigeria, Canada
Australia's hopes of a best-ever effect astatine a Women's World Cup volition beryllium babelike connected however Tony Gustavsson's squad navigates Canada, Republic of Ireland and Nigeria.
Canada's golden medal astatine the Olympics signified advancement from Bev Priestman's side, though the squad volition undoubtedly beryllium disappointed that they could not champion the United States successful the CONCACAF W Championship last this year.
Republic of Ireland's historical tally volition spot them instrumentality portion successful a Women's World Cup for the precise archetypal time, portion Nigeria are a perennial beingness astatine the biggest tourney successful women's football. However, Nigeria volition participate this tourney without a WAFCON rubric down them, failing to triumph the contention for lone the 3rd time.
Must-see match: Canada vs. Australia
This clash being the last 1 of Group B could good find who finishes apical and who finishes second. The teams person a past astatine large tournaments, astir precocious astatine the 2016 Olympics, arsenic good arsenic successful friendlies, with Canada earning 2 wins connected Australian shores successful the September window. Only six places abstracted the 2 sides successful the satellite rankings and this closeness is replicated connected the pitch. With Sam Kerr vs. Christine Sinclair, it is definite to beryllium a knockout contest.
X factor: How volition Sinclair's (assumed) swan opus play out?
An undisputed GOAT successful satellite football, the all-time starring planetary extremity scorer, Sinclair's bequest is already secured. The Canadian golden medal successful Tokyo ensured that Sinclair would ever extremity her vocation with immoderate level of planetary success, but a World Cup is simply a antithetic beast. A fourth-placed decorativeness is Canada's best-ever effect but determination is nary uncertainty they volition privation to nonstop Sinclair retired a small amended than that.
Predicted finish: Canada, Australia, Nigeria, Republic of Ireland
GROUP C
Spain, Costa Rica, Zambia, Japan
Spain had been tipped to triumph Euro 2022 earlier losing to hosts England successful the quarterfinals, but with 2022 Ballon d'Or victor Alexia Putellas apt to beryllium backmost successful enactment aft missing the Euros with a cruciate genu ligament injury, they volition beryllium among the favourites astatine the World Cup.
But an ongoing quality betwixt respective players and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) implicit the absorption benignant of manager Jorge Vilda -- the RFEF claimed 15 players said they would garbage to play for the squad past period unless Vilda was removed -- remains unresolved and could yet impact Spain's prospects.
But with Japan the lone apt menace to claiming apical spot successful Group C -- Costa Rica and World Cup debutants Zambia implicit the radical -- Spain should advancement comfortably, contempt their problems.
With a 2nd circular clash against the winners of Group E -- apt to beryllium the U.S. -- waiting for the runners-up, the cardinal for Spain and Japan volition beryllium to debar that by topping the radical for a much favourable way done the second stages.
Must-see match: Japan vs. Spain
It's each astir Japan vs. Spain successful the last radical crippled connected July 31.
If this radical goes to form, the 2 teams are apt to conscionable astatine the Wellington Regional Stadium with apical spot up for grabs and the request to debar a imaginable gathering against the USA.
While some Japan and Spain are susceptible of investigating the satellite champions, it is simply a necktie that neither would choose, truthful the stakes volition beryllium precocious erstwhile they conscionable successful New Zealand.
Japan, ranked 11th successful the FIFA World Ranking, volition beryllium outsiders against Spain, but could instrumentality vantage of problems wrong the Spanish campy to triumph this game.
X factor: How volition the group's minnows perform?
The radical lacks the unpredictability and hostility that we are apt to spot successful Group B, F and G, but with the World Cup expanding into a 32-team tournament, the absorption volition beryllium connected however the likes of Costa Rica and Zambia signifier up against 2 heavyweights successful Spain and Japan.
During their archetypal World Cup successful 2015, Costa Rica claimed astonishment draws against South Korea and Spain successful the radical signifier and were lone denied a spot successful the 2nd circular by a constrictive decision against Brazil.
Measuring Costa Rica's advancement connected the large signifier volition beryllium fascinating, portion Zambia are making their debut successful the tourney aft finishing 3rd successful the Africa Cup of Nations this year.
But having suffered a 10-3 decision against Netherlands successful 2021, the World Cup could beryllium a steep learning curve for Zambia.
Predicted finish: Japan, Spain, Costa Rica, Zambia
GROUP D
England, Group B playoff, Denmark, China
While this radical looks to beryllium a regular conception for European champions England, the Lionesses volition beryllium wary of the spot of China, contempt their comparatively debased satellite ranking of 15 going into the tournament.
The Chinese are seasoned performers astatine the World Cup, finishing arsenic runners-up successful 1999, and volition beryllium aiming to suffice for the knockout stages for the eighth successive tournament.
With Denmark ending a 16-year lack from the World Cup adjacent twelvemonth and the last spot successful the radical to beryllium taken by the winners of the Chile vs. Senegal / Haiti playoff, this conception should beryllium a straightforward way for some England and China.
But with the radical winners and runners-up facing the teams who decorativeness archetypal and 2nd successful Group B, determination is nary wide vantage to topping the conception with a apt brushwood against either co-hosts Australia oregon highly rated Canada successful the circular of 16.
Must-see match: China vs. England
England's clash with China astatine Adelaide's Hindmarsh Stadium connected Aug. 1 should beryllium the fixture which decides the winners of the group.
The 2 nations person met conscionable 4 times previously, with China winning 2-1 successful their astir caller brushwood successful 2015.
Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses volition beryllium favourites to apical the radical and bushed China, particularly aft ending England's agelong hold for large tourney occurrence astatine Euro 2022.
But China, nicknamed the Steel Roses, are a well-established powerfulness successful the women's crippled and could propulsion disconnected a daze triumph if England aren't afloat focused.
1:39
Mark Ogden feels Group D is the astir cleanable script for England to spell each the mode successful the 2023 Women's World Cup and however they could beryllium the squad to bushed USA.
X factor: Can England unrecorded up to the hype?
Having won Euro 2022, England person established themselves arsenic 1 of the container bureau teams successful the women's crippled and are arguably the biggest menace to the USA's hopes of achieving a World Cup "three-peat." So each eyes volition beryllium connected however the Lionesses header with the unit of being 1 of the favourites to triumph the tournament.
But they passed a large trial of their caller presumption by beating USA astatine Wembley successful October, and Sarina Wiegman's squad volition privation to physique connected that during the aboriginal stages of the World Cup.
With world-class talents specified arsenic Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, Lauren Hemp and emerging youngsters specified arsenic Alessia Russo, each crippled they play successful the tourney volition pull immense attention.
Predicted finish: England, China, Denmark, playoff winners
GROUP E
United States, Vietnam, Netherlands, Group A playoff
Containing some the winners and the runners up from the past Women's World Cup, Group E has the scales firmly tipped successful favour of the seeded teams; four-time winners, the U.S. are truthful acold up of the remainder successful presumption of ranking and women's shot development.
For Vietnam, who volition play their first-ever World Cup lucifer against the U.S. successful Auckland connected July 23, determination were surely kinder draws retired 3 for a squad ranked 34th successful the world.
Even against with the winners from playoff A (Cameroon, Portugal oregon Thailand), Vietnam mightiness person a upland to climb, truthful excessively Netherlands who find themselves successful different play of modulation having lone conscionable brought successful a caller coach, and would beryllium close to beryllium fearful of a Cameroon oregon Portugal squad who could marque it done the playoffs.
Must-see match: United States vs. Netherlands
It's the evident one, the apical 2 seeds clashing midway done the radical signifier successful Wellington connected July 27.
These 2 teams didn't conscionable just successful the World Cup last successful Lyon backmost successful 2019, they besides played retired a memorable quarterfinal necktie astatine the 2020 Olympics arsenic well. With some teams struggling to enactment their champion shot connected the pitch, thing could hap erstwhile they conscionable successful New Zealand adjacent summer.
X factor: Which USA volition crook up?
The back-to-back champions, who are going for a "three-peat," person been acold from convincing successful caller years and erstwhile galore expected them to power into tourney mode astatine the Olympics, they did conscionable the opposite, looking a shadiness of themselves. With the value of anticipation connected their shoulders, the USA whitethorn good descend alternatively than swim; yet successful a radical that should beryllium navigable, determination is inactive the accidental to tread water.
Predicted finish: USA, Netherlands, playoff winners, Vietnam
GROUP F
France, Jamaica, Brazil, Group C playoff
It's precise casual to telephone Group F connected paper, but erstwhile you really get to a tournament, things don't ever spell to plan, arsenic Jamaica could archer you with the Reggae Girlz being without cardinal subordinate Bunny Shaw for their debut 4 years ago.
France, who person a past of peaking excessively aboriginal astatine large tournaments, volition similar their chances of having a beardown radical stage, not slightest wrapping up with a lucifer against 1 of Chinese Taipei, Panama, Papa New Guinea oregon Paraguay -- each 4 nations imaginable debutantes.
But Brazil are not to beryllium taken lightly by anyone, the ever-presents with a glut of young endowment coming through.
Must-see match: France vs. Brazil
It's the evident one, the clash of the apical 2 seeds successful Brisbane connected July 29, and it should beryllium a litmus for wherever some nations are astatine and conscionable however apt either are to spell the agelong yards astatine the World Cup.
But it is worthy noting that should a squad similar Panama suffice for the World Cup done the playoffs, the clash with Jamaica could beryllium 1 to ticker for sheer amusive connected the pitch.
X factor: Will the existent France delight basal up
We person agelong talked astir France arsenic a acheronian equine oregon adjacent 1 of the favourites to triumph large silverware yet, for a multitude of reasons, it has yet to happen. Les Bleues started truthful good astatine the Euros and determination was a rising content that it was yet their clip to shine, yet the squad looked little assured with each passing match.
Even without a banana-peel draw, it's hard to cognize conscionable which France volition crook up and whilst they person the ranking to champion anyone they look successful the radical stage, determination are pitfalls everyplace for a squad that person historically shown a intelligence fragility.
Predicted finish: Brazil, France, Jamaica, playoff winners
GROUP G
Sweden, South Africa, Italy, Argentina
Sweden person played successful each variation of the tourney and person made the semifinals connected 4 occasions. The Olympic metallic medallists volition beryllium hard to lucifer successful this radical with their acquisition successful large competitions.
Sweden's biggest situation volition undoubtedly beryllium successful chap European federation Italy, who are playing successful their 3rd World Cup and person been gathering momentum successful caller years. The Italians topped their radical successful 2019 and volition beryllium looking to replicate that success.
South Africa are playing successful lone their 2nd World Cup, portion Argentina person played successful 3 -- and neither person registered a win. They look what seems to beryllium a astir insurmountable task against Sweden and Italy to get retired of the group, nevertheless a Cinderella communicative for either of these nations cannot beryllium wholly ruled out.
Must-see match: Sweden vs. Italy
Who volition instrumentality the apical spot successful Group G? It's a rematch from the Euro 2022 radical stage, which saw Italy triumph successful a five-goal thriller, 3-2.
Italy had a ascendant qualifying campaign, lone conceding 1 goal, to Switzerland. Meanwhile, Sweden, who finished 3rd successful 2019, boast acquisition and volition beryllium looking for revenge aft their Euros decision this year.
Sweden person 1 of the champion defenses successful the world, led by Chelsea prima Magda Eriksson, portion Italy's attacking powerfulness is arsenic breathtaking with players similar Cristiana Girelli.
X factor: Can Argentina find their archetypal triumph astatine the World Cup?
In 2019, Argentina had their best-ever show astatine the World Cup. Despite not making it to the knockout rounds, they notched 2 breathtaking draws -- a 0-0 against Japan and a thrilling 3-3 with Scotland; their lone nonaccomplishment was a constrictive 1-0 decision to England.
Four years later, the younker successful the squad from 2019 person gained tremendous acquisition and volition beryllium acceptable to instrumentality connected the challenges successful beforehand of them. While it is hard to ideate Argentina making it retired of the group, a triumph would people continued maturation and occurrence for this team.
Predicted finish: Italy, Sweden, Argentina, South Africa
GROUP H
Germany, Morocco, Colombia, South Korea
Germany volition beryllium hard to lucifer successful this group. The extent and endowment of this squad carried them each the mode to the finals of Euro 2022, falling conscionable abbreviated to England. Germany person qualified for each 8 editions of the Women's World Cup and person topped their radical successful each appearance. Their way to the apical spot present seems locked in, barring immoderate large breakdowns they should wrapper this 1 up easily.
Colombia's champion World Cup show was successful 2015 erstwhile they qualified for the knockout phase, but they failed to marque it retired of the radical successful 2019. Group H is good poised for them to marque different tally into the elimination rounds, with a cardinal crippled against South Korea successful their way.
South Korea travel the aforesaid past arsenic Colombia successful the past 2 editions, making it to the circular of 16 successful Canada but failing to get retired of the radical successful France.
Morocco volition beryllium making their archetypal quality successful the Women's World Cup. When they instrumentality the tract successful Melbourne, they volition marque past arsenic the archetypal Arab federation to vie successful the tournament. While it's adjacent to intolerable to spot a mode retired of the group, this history-making infinitesimal volition beryllium different people of maturation for the women's crippled and the occurrence of African women's football.
Must-see match: Colombia vs. South Korea
It's simple. This lucifer volition determine who volition advancement and who volition spell home. Both nations volition beryllium battling hard with thing to beryllium aft not qualifying for the elimination rounds successful France. South Korea, led by erstwhile Chelsea subordinate Ji So-Yun, boast the extent and experience, portion Colombia are afloat of vigor and creativity.
These sides person lone met a fewer times successful history, with South Korea beating the Colombians successful the Olympic radical stages successful 2016. However, It has been galore years since their past gathering and with everything connected the line, this lucifer is an unmissable ticker for the tournament.
X factor: Lena Oberdorf
One of the astir breathtaking players, astatine lone 20-years-old Oberdorf is up of her clip and has been nominated for countless awards this twelvemonth aft marshalling Germany's midfield astatine the Euros.
Oberdorf's expansive and originative play footwear starts Germany's onslaught and is simply a pleasance for immoderate shot instrumentality to watch. This young prima volition beryllium 1 to ticker passim the tourney adjacent year.
Predicted finish: Germany, Colombia, South Korea, Morocco
English (US)