Welcome to the third in our four part series previewing the forthcoming FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup Finals, which will take place this summer in Australia and New Zealand.
If you missed the first two parts then click on the following links to check out our previews of Groups A&B and also Groups C&D.
We have already taken a look at both hosts in the tournament, as well as a quick preview of England’s group, with the Lionesses being one of the favourites for the tournament with bet365 Sport.
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But now we are pressing on with our preview to take a closer look at the teams competing in Groups E and F, both of which contains some of the big favourites to lift the trophy, including the current holders.
New Zealand will be the host of Group E, which features, amongst other teams, the United States. :
Four times winners of the tournament, including 2019 and 2015, the USA will be aiming to retain the title they won last time out in France and they are bet365 Sport’s favourites to win the trophy once again.
However, this is a relatively new squad, with just a few older more experienced heads in the team and unlike past years, they do look a beatable outfit, which is sure to make their game with the Netherlands, who they defeated in the final in 2019, a hugely intriguing one. Anything less than a semi-final spot would be deemed a failure for the US.
Top Player – Alex Morgan (AC) – Megan Rapinoe runs Morgan close, but the number of goals and general influence that Morgan has on this team is why she is my pick for a very talented US squad.
One of the better sides in eastern Asia, Vietnam are now ranked 33rd in the world and they have a very busy pre-tournament schedule of friendly games ahead of the tournament to get prepared for the matches.
Recent wins over Cambodia and Myanmar have set the team up well for the finals thus far, but in this elite company, I think the best they can hope for is 3rd in the group.
Top Player – Huynh Nhu (AC) – Captain and the only member of the Vietnam squad to play her football abroad (in Portugal for Lank Vilaverdense. She has an incredible 67 goals for her country in just 72 appearances and will be their main goal threat.
Runners up to the United States back in 2019, the Dutch will be hoping they can go one better this time around as the 8th ranked team in the world, they are certainly amongst the favourites to win the trophy even if recent results have been somewhat mixed.
However, with star striker Vivianne Miedema to miss the tournament through injury, goalscoring could prove to be a problem for the Dutch especially against the higher calibre teams in this tournament.
Top Player – Lieke Martens (AMLC) – With Miedema out injured, the experience PSG striker Lieke Martens will shoulder the goalscoring burden. A clever player who is equally adept through the middle or out wide as a winger, she will be a key creative influence for the Dutch this summer.
After coming through the European World Cup playoffs with wins over Belgium and Iceland, Portugal continued their good form with four wins in a row before a defeat to Japan and a draw with Wales back in April. They are probably a better team than their 21st place in the world rankings suggest.
This is a technically excellent group of players who can score goals having scored a goal in every game they played since June 2022 (except for a blank in a 5-0 hammering by Sweden). They will consider qualifying from this tough group as a massive achievement.
Top Player – Ana Borges (AMRC) – The 32 year winger/striker is a key member of the team providing many chances from her wide right role. Perhaps not a natural goalscorer, Borges creativity nevertheless is key for Portugal’s chances of doing well in this tournament.
Australia will host all Group F games with the likes of Brazil and France likely to draw on popular support in the host nation.
Kick off times shown are UK time (12 hours behind)
Unbeaten in their last six games, France are expected to be one of the real contenders in this tournament as he fifth ranked team in the world. It is a squad packed with talent and led by the enigmatic coach Herve Renard.
They will be without the injured Kadidiatou Diani, which is a big blow for them in attack, especially with Marie-Antoinette Katoto also injured. But the French have great strength in depth in those forward roles and should be able to cope with their two absences.
Top Player – Wendie Renard (DC) – Captain of club and country, Renard is key for France as she is not only a top notch defender, but she is almost unmarkable from set pieces due to her height and proficiency in the air.
Ranked 43rd in the world, Jamaica are not expected to post too much of a threat to the big two in this group, but they will be hoping to put up a good show against France and Brazil and perhaps show their talent in the game with Panama.
The Ragge Girlz have lost seven of their last 11 games heading into the tournament, but confidence won’t be dented too much by this but the will struggle to score goals in this tournament unless Khadija Shaw hits top form.
Top Player – Khadija Shaw (AC) – The Manchester City striker has an incredible 55 goals in just 38 caps for her country and she has netted 27 goals in 36 WPL games for her club too. As captain, she will be the main focus for her country.
Having lost the UEFA-CONMEBOL Finalissima agains England on penalties, Brazil bounced back with a win in Germany to confirm themselves as a real threat in this tournament. They may have lost a number of experience players like Formiga and Cristiane but the nucleus of a very goo dteam is here.
Marta will likely play a key role once again as the 37-year old superstar looks to add to her 115 goals in 175 caps for her country. But she has a strong supporting cast including Debinha, Adriana, Geyse and Arsenal centre back Rafaelle.
Top Player – Marta (AMC) – One of the best female footballers ever, the 37 year old Marta has recovered from injury and will line up for Brazil hoping to add to her already record haul of goals at the World Cup Finals (17).
Panama are one of the lower ranked nations at the tournament at 52nd in the world and they had to qualify through the playoffs beating Papua New Guinea and then Paraguay in order to reach the finals.
They look a solid enough team who can score goals but I think they are going to struggle against the top sides in this group.
Top Player – Marta Cox (AMC) – A talented young creative midfielder who is also a productive goalscorer from behind the strikers. Clever with the ball and an inventive passer who is Panama’s main creative influence.
We will finish our look through the groups with a look at Groups G and H. as well as bringing you our tips on the teams to back to go far in the tournament, with odds provided by bet365 Sport.
For now, check out our handy FAQ guide to the Women’s World Cup for more information about the tournament, while to whet your appetite, our Pre World Cup Women’s World Best XI is also good for a look at some of the likely stars of the tournament.
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