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Teesta Sullivan
2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup Teams & Players to Watch
Table of Contents
Kickoff
The Women’s FIFA World Cup 2023 starts on July 20, 2023! The tournament will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand, and it will be the first time that the Women’s World Cup has been held in two countries.
A total of 32 teams will compete in the tournament, which will be played from July 20 to August 20, 2023. The teams have been drawn into eight groups of four, and the group stage will be played in a round-robin format.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, which will consist of the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final. The final will be played at Sydney Olympic Stadium in Australia.
Growing Competition on the Global Stage
Merely a decade ago, most European countries paid little attention to their women’s teams. However, the landscape is changing rapidly as countries strengthen their programs and prepare tirelessly to challenge the reigning Americans. While it remains to be seen whether the USWNT can overcome their ambitious challengers this summer, the 2023 Women’s World Cup promises to deliver a tournament unlike any seen before in women’s soccer.
Historic Aspects of the Tournament
This edition of the Women’s World Cup boasts some historic firsts. Unlike the previous tournaments, this event will be co-hosted by two nations, Australia and New Zealand, marking the first time the women’s World Cup has been hosted by multiple countries.
Furthermore, this tournament will take place in the Southern Hemisphere for the first time, adding a unique flavor to the competition.
Expanded Participation and Newcomers
The tournament begins on July 20, with Australia and New Zealand experiencing winter conditions—a challenge for players accustomed to training in the summer heat. Another significant change is the expansion of the field to thirty-two participating nations, aiming to include more first-time participants.
This year, eight nations, including Haiti, Morocco, and Portugal, will make their debut in the Women’s World Cup, equaling the number of participating nations in the men’s counterpart.
Challenges for the USWNT
The USWNT faces formidable competition from strong teams such as Brazil, France, England, Spain, Australia, and Germany. Additionally, the team has been hit by injuries, sidelining key players like Becky Sauerbrunn, Catarina Macario, and Mallory Swanson. However, the United States has always possessed remarkable depth, and Manager Vlatko Andonovski has assembled a strong roster to represent the nation.
GROUP A
New Zealand
The New Zealand women’s national soccer team is called the Football Ferns. They’ve made it to the Women’s World Cup five times, the most recent being in 2019. Their best result was in 2007 when they got to the quarterfinals.
The team’s key players include: * Abby Erceg: A midfielder who captains the team. She has over 100 caps for New Zealand. * Rosie White: A forward who has scored over 50 goals for New Zealand. She plays for Melbourne Victory in Australia. * Annalie Longo: A midfielder who plays for Sky Blue FC in the United States. She is a former captain of the team.
Norway
Norway’s women’s soccer team is called the Lionesses. They’ve won the Women’s World Cup twice and were second place three times. They’re one of the most successful teams in the tournament.
The team’s key players include * Ada Hegerberg: A forward who is considered one of the best players in the world. She has scored over 60 goals for Norway. * Caroline Graham Hansen: A winger who plays for Barcelona in Spain. She is a two-time European Golden Shoe winner. * Guro Reiten: A midfielder who plays for Chelsea in England. She is a former captain of the team.
Philippines
The Philippines’ ladies’ national football team is called the Filipinas. They participated in the Women’s World Cup once, back in 2019. Although they didn’t do too well and ended up at the bottom of their group, they achieved their first win in the competition versus South Korea.
The team’s key players include * Sara Eggesvik, A forward player who plays for Avaldsnes in Norway. She is the team’s all-time leading scorer. * Hali Long: A defender who plays for Angel City FC in the United States. She is a former captain of the team. * Quinley Quezada: A midfielder who plays for the University of Southern California. She is a rising star in the Philippines national team.
Switzerland
The Switzerland women’s soccer team is called the Nati. They have participated in the Women’s World Cup three times, the last being in 2015. In 2011, they made it to the quarterfinals, which is their best performance yet.
The team’s key players include: * Ramona Bachmann: A forward who plays for Paris Saint-Germain in France. She is one of the most experienced players in the team. * Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic: A forward who plays for Barcelona in Spain. She is a former captain of the team. * Lia Walti: A midfielder who plays for Arsenal in England
GROUP B
Australia
The women’s football team of Australia is called the Matildas. They have done well in the Women’s World Cup; they finished as runners-up once and made it to the quarterfinals four times.
The team’s key players include: Sam Kerr: A forward who is considered one of the best players in the world. She has scored over 50 goals for Australia. Caitlin Foord: A winger who plays for Arsenal in England. She is a two-time Golden Boot winner at the Asian Cup. Alanna Kennedy: A defender who plays for Tottenham Hotspur in England. She is a former captain of the team.
Canada
The Canadian women’s football team has a good past. They got to the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup three times: in 1995, 2003, and 2015.
Some of the key players for Canada include Christine Sinclair: A forward who plays for Portland Thorns FC in the United States. She is the all-time leading scorer in international football, with over 180 goals. Jessie Fleming: A midfielder who plays for Chelsea in England. She is a rising star on the Canadian national team. Stephanie Labbé: A goalkeeper who plays for Paris Saint-Germain in France. She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist.
Nigeria
Nigeria’s soccer team plays in an exciting and attacking way. They have made it to the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup three times, in 1999 and 2019 being two of those times.
Some of the key players for Nigeria include: * Asisat Oshoala: A forward who plays for Barcelona in Spain. She is a two-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year. * Rasheedat Ajibade: A winger who plays for Paris Saint-Germain in France. She is a rising star in the Nigeria national team. * Francisca Ordega: A forward who plays for Houston Dash in the United States. She is a versatile player who can play in multiple positions.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland’s women’s soccer team is getting better all the time. They made it to the round of 16 in the 2017 European Championship and have a young team that can achieve great things in the future.
Some of the key players for the Republic of Ireland include: * Katie McCabe: A midfielder who plays for Arsenal in England. She is the team’s captain. * Denise O’Sullivan: A midfielder who plays for North Carolina Courage in the United States. She is a rising star in the Republic of Ireland national team. * Heather Payne: A forward who plays for Orlando Pride in the United States. She is a versatile player who can play in multiple positions.
GROUP C
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a team that is always a tough opponent. They reached the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup in 2015 and have a team with a lot of experience.
Some of the key players for Costa Rica include: * Shirley Cruz: A midfielder who plays for Paris Saint-Germain in France. She is the team’s captain and a veteran of the Costa Rica national team. * Raquel Rodriguez: A defender who plays for FC Barcelona in Spain. She is a rising star in the Costa Rica national team. * Carolina Venegas: A forward who plays for Club Sport Herediano in Costa Rica. She is the team’s all-time leading scorer.
Japan
Japan is one of the world’s most successful women’s national soccer teams. They have won the World Cup twice, in 2011 and 2015, and they have also won the Asian Cup a record eight times. The Japanese team is known for their technical skill and ability to play a fast-paced, attacking soccer style. They also have a strong tradition of developing young players, and many of their current stars came through the youth national team system.
Some of the key players to watch for on the Japanese team include Saki Kumagai: The captain of the Japanese team, Kumagai is a versatile defender who can play in a variety of positions. She is also a strong leader and has been praised for her ability to motivate her teammates. Mana Iwabuchi: A dynamic midfielder, Iwabuchi is known for her dribbling skills and her ability to create scoring opportunities. She is also a threat from long range and has scored some important goals for Japan in recent years. Yui Hasegawa: A talented forward, Hasegawa is a prolific goalscorer, and she has a knack for finding the net in big games. She is also a good passer, and she can link up well with her teammates.
Spain
Spain is a team that is on the rise in women’s football. They reached the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup in 2019 and have a young team with a lot of potential.
Some of the key players for Spain include: * Alexia Putellas: A midfielder who plays for FC Barcelona in Spain. She is the team’s captain and a two-time Ballon d’Or winner. * Jennifer Hermoso: A forward who plays for Paris Saint-Germain in France. She is a prolific goalscorer and a two-time European Golden Shoe winner. * Irene Paredes: A defender who plays for Paris Saint-Germain in France. She is a veteran of the Spain national team and a two-time Olympic silver medalist.
Zambia
Zambia is a team that is always a surprise package at major tournaments. They reached the quarterfinals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2018 and have a team with a lot of heart and determination
Some of the key players for Zambia include: * Barbra Banda: A forward who plays for Shanghai Shengli in China. She is the team’s captain and a two-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year. * Grace Chanda: A midfielder who plays for BIIK Kazygurt in Kazakhstan. She is a rising star in the Zambia national team. * Misozi Chibanda: A defender who plays for Green Buffaloes in Zambia. She is the team’s vice-captain and a veteran of the Zambia national team.
GROUP D
China
China is a team that has a rich history in women’s football. They have reached the final of the Women’s World Cup twice, in 1999 and 2003.
Some of the key players for China PR include: * Wang Shuang: A midfielder who plays for Paris Saint-Germain in France. She is a creative player who can create chances for her teammates. * Wang Shanshan: A forward who plays for Shanghai Shengli in China. She is the team’s all-time leading scorer. * Tang Jiali: A forward who plays for AC Milan in Italy. She is a rising star in the China PR national team.
Denmark
Denmark is a team that is always a contender at major tournaments. They reached the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup in 2019 and have a team with a lot of experience.
Some of the key players for Denmark include: * Pernille Harder: A forward who plays for Chelsea in England. She is the team’s captain and a two-time European Golden Shoe winner. * Nadia Nadim: A forward who plays for Real Madrid in Spain. She is a prolific goalscorer and a former refugee from Afghanistan. * Katrine Veje: A defender who plays for FC Barcelona in Spain. She is a veteran of the Denmark national team and a two-time Olympic silver medalist.
England
England is the defending champion of the Women’s European Championship and a team that is always a favorite to win the Women’s World Cup. They have a team with a lot of talent and experience.
Some of the key players for England include: * Lucy Bronze: A defender who plays for Manchester City in England. She is a two-time FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year. * Ellen White: A forward who plays for Manchester City in England. She is the team’s all-time leading scorer. * Steph Houghton: A captain who plays for Arsenal in England. She is a veteran of the England national team and a two-time Olympic gold medalist.
Haiti
Haiti is a team that is always a surprise package at major tournaments. They reached the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals in 2015 and have a team with a lot of heart and determination.
Some of the key players for Haiti include: * Melchie Dumornay: A midfielder who plays for Paris FC in France. She is the team’s captain and a rising star in the Haiti national team. * Roselord Borgella: A forward who plays for FC Fleury 91 in France. She is a prolific goalscorer and a two-time Caribbean Women’s Footballer of the Year. * Sherly Jeudy: A defender who plays for Aigles Feminin in Haiti. She is the team’s vice-captain and a veteran of the Haiti national team.
GROUP E
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a team that is on the rise in women’s football. They finished as runners-up in the 2019 Women’s World Cup and have a young team with a lot of potential.
Some of the key players for the Netherlands include: * Vivianne Miedema: A forward who is considered one of the best strikers in the world. She has scored over 90 goals for the Netherlands. * Lieke Martens: A winger who plays for Barcelona in Spain. She is a two-time European Golden Shoe winner. * Sherida Spitse: A midfielder who plays for Ajax in the Netherlands. She is the captain of the Netherlands national team.
Portugal
Portugal is a team that is on the rise in women’s football. They reached the quarterfinals of the Women’s European Championship in 2017 and have a young team with a lot of potential.
Some of the key players for Portugal include: * Carole Costa: A midfielder who plays for Benfica in Portugal. She is the team’s captain and a rising star in the Portugal national team. * Diana Silva: A forward who plays for SC Braga in Portugal. She is a prolific goalscorer and a two-time Portuguese Women’s Footballer of the Year. * Dolores Silva: A defender who plays for Sporting CP in Portugal. She is a veteran of the Portugal national team and a two-time Olympic silver medalist.
United States
The United States women’s national team (USWNT) aims to become the first team in women’s soccer history to secure three consecutive World Cup victories. With their previous triumphs in 2015 and 2019, this achievement appears within their reach.
However, maintaining their dominance won’t be easy, as teams worldwide are catching up through improved training, focus, and investments in women’s soccer.
The United States is the defending champion of the Women’s World Cup. They are always contenders at major tournaments and have won the title four times in 1991, 1999, 2015, and 2019.
Vietnam
The Vietnam women’s national football team is nicknamed the Golden Dragon.
Vietnam has qualified for the Women’s World Cup on one occasion, in 2015. They finished bottom of their group, but they did record their first-ever World Cup goal against Mexico.
The team’s key players include: * Tuyết Dung: A midfielder who plays for Hà Nội I in Vietnam. She is the team’s captain. * Hoàng Thị Loan: A forward who plays for Hà Nội I in Vietnam. She is a rising star in the Vietnam national team. * Phạm Hải Yến: A forward who plays for Than Quảng Ninh in Vietnam. She is the team’s all-time leading scorer.
GROUP F
Brazil
Brazil is one of the most successful teams in Women’s World Cup history, having won the tournament in 2007. They are a team with a lot of attacking talent and are always a threat to score goals.
Some of the key players for Brazil include: * Marta: A forward who is considered one of the best players in the world. She has scored over 100 goals for Brazil. * Debinha: A winger who plays for North Carolina Courage in the United States. She is a two-time Golden Boot winner at the Copa América Femenina. * Formiga: A midfielder who is the most capped Women’s World Cup player. She has played in seven tournaments.
France
France is one of the favorites to win the Women’s World Cup in 2023. They are the defending champions and have a strong team with a mix of experience and youth.
Some of the key players for France include: * Marie-Antoinette Katoto: A forward who is considered one of the best strikers in the world. She has scored over 200 goals for France. * Amandine Henry: A midfielder who plays for Olympique Lyonnais in France. She is a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winner. * Wendie Renard: A defender who plays for Olympique Lyonnais in France. She is a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winner.
Jamaica
The Jamaica women’s national football team is nicknamed the Reggae Girlz. Jamaica has qualified for the Women’s World Cup on one occasion, in 2019. They made history by becoming the first Caribbean team to reach the knockout stage.
The team’s key players include * Khadija Shaw: A forward who plays for Manchester City in England. She is the team’s all-time leading scorer. * Bunny Shaw: A forward who plays for Paris Saint-Germain in France. She is a former captain of the team. * Sydney Schneider: A midfielder who plays for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a rising star in the Jamaica national team.
Panama
Panama is a team that is always improving. They reached the quarterfinals of the Women’s CONCACAF Championship in 2022 and have a young team with a lot of potential.
Some of the key players for Panama include * Marta Cox: A midfielder who plays for Tauro FC in Panama. She is the team’s captain and a rising star in the Panama national team. * Erika Hernandez: A forward who plays for CD Plaza Amador in Panama. She is a prolific goalscorer and a two-time Panamanian Women’s Footballer of the Year. * Lineth Cedeno: A defender who plays for Sporting SM in Panama. She is a veteran of the Panama national team and a two-time Olympic silver medalist.
GROUP G
Argentina
Argentina is another team with a rich history in women’s soccer. They have never won the World Cup, but they have reached the quarterfinals on three occasions. The Argentine team is known for their physical strength and their passion for the game. They are also a young team, with an average age of just 24 years old. This means they have a lot of energy and enthusiasm and are not afraid to take on the big teams.
Some key players to watch for on the Argentine team include Estefanía Banini: A creative midfielder, Banini is known for her vision and passing ability. She is also a good dribbler and can create scoring opportunities for her teammates. Mariana Larroquette: A powerful striker, Larroquette is a clinical finisher and has a knack for scoring goals in important games. She is also a good header of the ball, and she is a threat from set pieces. Yamila Rodríguez: A versatile forward, Rodríguez is known for her speed and her ability to get behind the defense. She is also a good finisher, and she has the potential to be a star at the World Cup.
Italy
Italy is a team that is always improving. They reached the quarterfinals of the 2019 Women’s World Cup and have a strong team with a good mix of experience and youth.
Some of the key players for Italy include: * Barbara Bonansea: A winger who plays for Juventus in Italy. She is a two-time winner of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. * Cristiana Girelli: A forward who plays for Juventus in Italy. She is the team’s all-time leading scorer. * Manuela Giugliano: A midfielder who plays for Roma in Italy. She is the captain of the Italy national team.
South Africa
South Africa is a team that is on the rise in women’s football. They reached the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup in 2019 and have a young team with a lot of potential.
Some of the key players for South Africa include: * Thembi Kgatlana: A forward who plays for Atlético Madrid in Spain. She is the team’s captain. * Jermaine Seoposenwe: A forward who plays for TSG Hoffenheim in Germany. She is a rising star in the South Africa national team. * Linda Motlhalo: A midfielder who plays for ASEC Mimosas in Ivory Coast. She is a creative player who can create chances for her teammates.
Sweden
Sweden is a team that is always a contender at major tournaments. They have reached the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup four times, including in 2019.
Some of the key players for Sweden include: * Fridolina Rolfö: A winger who plays for Barcelona in Spain. She is a two-time winner of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. * Stina Blackstenius: A forward who plays for Arsenal in England. She is the team’s captain. * Kosovare Asllani: A midfielder who plays for Real Madrid in Spain. She is a rising star in the Sweden national team.
GROUP H
Colombia
Colombia is a team that is always a threat at major tournaments. They reached the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup in 2015 and have a team with a lot of talent and experience.
Some of the key players for Colombia include: * Catalina Usme: A midfielder who plays for América de Cali in Colombia. She is the team’s captain and a two-time Colombian Women’s Footballer of the Year. * Leicy Santos: A midfielder who plays for Atlético Madrid in Spain. She is a prolific goalscorer and a two-time South American Women’s Footballer of the Year. * Daniela Montoya: A defender who plays for Independiente Santa Fe in Colombia. She is a veteran of the Colombia national team and a two-time Olympic silver medalist.
Germany
Germany is a team that is always a contender at major tournaments. They won the Women’s World Cup twice, in 2003 and 2007.
Some of the key players for Germany include: * Lea Schüller: A forward who plays for VfL Wolfsburg in Germany. She is the team’s captain. * Klara Bühl: A winger who plays for Bayern Munich in Germany. She is a rising star in the German national team. * Svenja Huth: A midfielder who plays for Chelsea in England. She is a versatile player who can play in multiple positions.
South Korea
South Korea is a team that is always a threat at major tournaments. They have reached the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup four times, including in 2015.
Some of the key players for South Korea include * Ji So-yun: A midfielder who plays for Chelsea in England. She is a two-time AFC Women’s Asian Cup winner. * Cho So-hyun: A defender who plays for Paris Saint-Germain in France. She is the captain of the South Korea national team. * Son Heung-min: A forward who plays for Tottenham Hotspur in England. He is the brother of Ji So-yun.
Morocco
Morocco is a team that is always improving. They reached the quarterfinals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2022 and have a young team with a lot of potential.
Some of the key players for Morocco include: * Ghizlane Chebbak: A midfielder who plays for Raja Club Athletic in Morocco. She is the team’s captain and a rising star in the Morocco national team. * Fatimata Khayat: A forward who plays for AS FAR in Morocco. She is a prolific goalscorer and a two-time Moroccan Women’s Footballer of the Year. * Selma Bacha: A defender who plays for Paris Saint-Germain in France. She is a veteran of the Morocco national team and a two-time Olympic silver medalist.
Author: Teesta Sisodia Sullivan
Teesta is the founder and owner of Soccer Talented and Go Soccer Pro websites.
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