FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Will the US make it three in a row? Here are top-five favorites to win the football tournament

The long wait of four years is finally over. Football fans are expected to witness a cracker of a contest as the ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 gets underway today, July 20, in Auckland with the tournament opener between hosts New Zealand and Norway. Co-host Australia will feature in the second encounter of the Women’s World Cup against the Republic of Ireland.

The most successful side in the history of the competition, the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT), will start their title defence with a match against Vietnam on Saturday, July 22.

For the first time ever the FIFA Women’s World Cup is going to be hosted by two countries. This year’s tournament is also the first one, in the history of Women’s World Cup, to feature 32 teams.

With the Women’s World Cup all set to take the centre stage, it is time to take a look at teams who are favourites to lift the much-coveted trophy this time.

A hattrick for United States?

It is a no-brainer why the USWNT top the list of favorites to win the Women’s World Cup 2023 trophy. Four-time World Cup winners USWNT are certainly one of the strongest contenders to become champions once again this year. The back-to-back reigning champions and number one side in the FIFA world rankings, USWNT, will head into the Women’s World Cup having won 21 of their last 24 matches.

Comprising big names like Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, the USWNT have been placed at the Women’s World Cup 2023 in Group E along with Vietnam, Portugal and Netherlands. Winning the trophy this time will help the USWNT in becoming the first team in the history of the tournament to become world champions three times in a row.

Other favourites to with the trophy

Germany

With two World Cup titles and six European Championships under their belt, the German women’s football team is expected to produce an impressive show this time. At the Women’s World Cup 2023, Germany have been pooled in Group H along with Colombia, South Korea and Morocco. Germany, under the leadership of prolific striker Alexandra Popp, will play their first Women’s World Cup 2023 game against Morocco on July 24.

Germany will be without their legendary midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsan at this year’s Women’s World Cup. Marozsan decided to draw curtains on her illustrious career earlier this year in March. In Marozsan’s absence, young talented midfielder, Lena Oberdorf is expected to take Germany forward in the World Cup.

Sweden

The Swedish women’s football team may not be boasting a single World Cup trophy in the cabinet but their consistency at the highest level has been quite impressive. Out of the last five Women’s World Cup editions, Sweden succeeded in reaching the last-four stage on three occasions. They featured in the Women’s World Cup final in 2003 and claimed third-place on three occasions in 1991, 2011 and 2019. Sweden’s attacking unit will rely a lot on Fridolina Rolfo and Stina Blackstenius, while the defensive moves will be led by the likes of Amanda Ilestedt and Magdalena Eriksson.

Brazil

Making her sixth Women’s World Cup appearance in 2023, legendary Brazilian forward Marta will be aiming to lift the much-coveted trophy this time. With 17 strikes in 24 games to her name, Marta is the all-time leading goal-scorer in the history of Women’s World Cup. Needless to say, the 37-year-old is expected to come out all guns blazing this time to win the maiden World Cup title for her Selecao.

Australia

The Australia women’s football team will be aiming to make full use of their home advantage in a bid to win their maiden World Cup title. At the Women’s World Cup 2023, Australia have been drawn in Group B along with Canada, Nigeria and Republic of Ireland. The co-host came into the Women’s World Cup 2023 having won nine of their last 10 games. Topping the Group B standings does not appear to be quite a daunting task for Australia, but the Matildas will have to punch above their weight if they wish to reach the semi-finals.