SixSports Predicts: 2023 Women’s World Cup – What Teams Will Make It Past The Group Stage?

The 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand is set to kick off July 20. This is the first time the tournament will have 32 nations competing for the world title. It is going to be an interesting game as United States will try to defend their back-to-back trophies. The eight teams to make their World Cup debut include Haiti, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Zambia and others. Considering squad depth, records, style af form, sixsports.net predicts two teams each that will make it out of the group stage.

Group A

Norway

Also known as: The Football Girls

FIFA world rank: 12

Finish in previous World Cup: Quarterfinals

They have a talented attack and strong midfield. Leading has been key for Norway, who have never lost a World Cup match when ahead at halftime. Also its jut once that Norway have failed to qualify from their group and that was in 2011. They were placed with Brazil, Australia and Equatorial Guinea then.

They’re expected to top their group, but unless Norway can pick up a head of steam and gain some much-needed collective confidence, a meeting with a talented Spain or Japan team is the likely path to the last eight.

Switzerland

Also known as: La Nati

FIFA world rank: 20

Finish in previous World Cup: Round of 16 (2015)

Reuteler has been a key part of the Eintracht/FFC Frankfurt attack since she moved to Germany in her teens, yet she’s yet to fully announce herself to the wider audience. Still used only sparingly by Switzerland, the forward has a fair return for La Nati, but is a hungry attacker who is always keen to get into dangerous positions and help in shot creation from her deeper position in the Swiss midfield.

Drawn into a favourable group, there is more than enough quality in the Swiss team to help them navigate the first three games in New Zealand, but if they do progress to the knockouts, things are likely to get too tough very quickly – Lawson.

Group B

Australia

Also known as: The Matildas

FIFA world rank: 10

Finish in previous World Cup: 9th

Australia have made it past the group stage in four straight World Cups; one of five countries to do so in each (USA, Germany, England and Brazil). They also have Kerr who has scored 63 goals for the Australian national team in all competitions; she is the all-time leading goal scorer in men’s or women’s Australian soccer.

Australia has great expectations for the Matildas. It seem Gustavsson has achieved her goal of constructing the Matildas to peak at the appropriate moment after practicing for years. Making the last four doesn’t seem implausible with wins over top-tier opponents, an offensive style of play, and a roster that is both deep and adaptable. The Matildas may be on their way to their best-ever World Cup result if they get the support of the home crowd.

Canada

Also known as: CanWNT

FIFA world rank: 7

Finish in previous World Cup: Round of 16

Canada’s group is tough, no doubt, and the runner-up would likely have a difficult round-of-16 clash with England. Yet, why shouldn’t Canada have high expectations going into the tournament? It has the most experienced player in international soccer in Sinclair, a strong defense backed by a good goalkeeper and rising young stars who can score. It worked in Tokyo, it could work again, perhaps getting Canada all the way to Auckland or Sydney, where the semifinals will be played.

Group C

Spain

Also known as: La Roja

FIFA world rank: 6

Finish in previous World Cup: Round of 16

Despite the feud between the players and the RFEF, Vilda has still managed to pick a competitive squad over the last year, illustrating the depth of talent in the country. They have lost just once in 12 fixtures — against World Cup hosts Australia in February — and secured a memorable win over the United States at the end of last year. Those results came without Putellas (injured), Bonmati, Ona Batlle and Mariona Caldentey (the three players from the 15 who have now returned) and will fuel confidence of a best-ever finish for La Roja this summer. The team has a higher probability of qualifying for the round of 16 and maybe quarterfinals.

Japan

Also known as: Nadeshiko

FIFA world rank: 11

Finish in previous World Cup: Quarterfinals

After a subpar first year, things finally looked to be clicking into place for Ikeda at the SheBelieves Cup earlier this year, where his team put in a trio of strong performances. If they can dig down into their best and supplement all the style they possess with the simple substance of goal scoring, there’s no reason that Japan can’t find themselves fighting for a medal come the end of August. — Lawson. Sophie Lawson reports on England squad announcement as the Lionesses start the World Cup countdown with Wembley showdown against Brazil.

Group D

England

Also known as: The Lionesses

FIFA world rank: 4

Finish in previous World Cup: Fourth place

That’s their goal and despite the caveat of those unavailable, they’ll be heading to Australia with the aim of winning the whole thing. If it clicks, they can do it, but they can’t afford any more setbacks in terms of absent personnel, and the new combinations will have to hit the ground running. There are some fearsome tasks in their way, but this team can win the World Cup. — Tom Hamilton

China

Also known as: Steel Roses

FIFA world rank: 14

Finish in previous World Cup: 14th

In all seven of their previous World Cup appearances, they have advanced past the group stage. Their seven appearances in World Cup elimination rounds is tied for the third most in World Cup history. Though China and Denmark seem to be at a tie, China has an upper hand in making it out of the group stage. The squad might not be able to go further with Canada or hosts Australia ahead.

Group E

United States

Also known as: The USWNT

FIFA world rank: 1

Finish in previous World Cup: Winners

United States won the past two World Cups; one of four teams in men’s or women’s World Cup history to win consecutive World Cups. They will attempt to become the first team in men’s or women’s World Cup history to win three straight World Cups. They have 21 wins in all competitions since 2022, the most of any team in the World Cup field.

With this impressive record and the other teams in the group, it is clear that getting above the group stage is certain for the squad. Though there are missing some good players, they still have quite a number of impressive players. With Macario and Swanson out, Smith has stepped up and could end up being the USWNT’s star of the tournament.

Portugal

Also known as: A Selecção das Quinas

FIFA world rank: 21

Finish in previous World Cup: N/A (this is their World Cup debut)

This team has played twenty-one matches (all competition) since 2022, tied for the fifth-most games among the tournament field. With only two teams able to progress from the group — and most expecting the USA to top the rankings — Portugal can become second if they make effective use of their game experience and players. Having come a long way in the past few years, there is still a healthy chance for Seleccao to pull some surprises in New Zealand.

Group F

France

Also known as: Les Bleues

FIFA world rank: 5

Finish in previous World Cup: Quarterfinals

The objective set by the president of the French federation is the last four. France reached the semifinals at the Euros in England last summer and anything less would be seen as a disappointing result. It is a very open tournament and Renard is convinced that he can even take this team all the way, despite having only been in charge for a few months. Nevertheless, since he took over from Corinne Diacre, who was heavily disliked by the players, the double AFCON champion has brought energy, positivity, intensity and confidence to the squad. It’s a shame that three key players are missing, but Renard’s ambitions are high, and he has made his players believe that anything is possible in this World Cup. — Julien Laurens

Brazil

Also known as: Selecao, As Canarinhas

FIFA world rank: 8

Finish in previous World Cup: Round of 16

Winning the tournament is likely to be a step too far for this transitioning Brazil team, although Sundhage says “we have got a chance” — and they do. A penalty shootout defeat to European champions England in the Finalissima and a 2-1 win over Germany in April will breed belief going into the World Cup. They are certainly South America’s best hope of a winner, as they showed at last summer’s Copa America by winning all six games, scoring 20 goals and conceding none on their way to the trophy. — Marsden. There is a high probability they would make it out of the group stage.

Group G 

Sweden

Also known as: Blagult

FIFA world rank: 3

Finish in previous World Cup: 3rd

After a storming run at the Olympics in Japan two summers ago, Sweden followed it up with a disappointing Euro 2022 campaign, and it can be hard to get a sense for which Blagult is going to show up in New Zealand this month. Should it be Sweden at their best, there is no reason they can’t go through the group stage and power into the knockouts.

Italy

Also known as: Le Azzurre

FIFA world rank: 16

Finish in previous World Cup: Quarterfinals

Their second straight World Cup appearance; prior to 2019 it had only made the World Cup twice (1991 and 1999). They have always made it past the group stage but never past the quarterfinals. Italy can count on their strong team to defeat Argentina and pip La Albiceleste to the runner-up spot.

Group H

Morroco

Also known as: The Atlas Lionesses

They will face Germany in first game. Only one team from CAF has ever won their first ever WWC game: Cameroon vs. Ecuador in 2015.

Finishing above Germany is out of the question bar a miracle, but Morocco will fancy their chances of competing with Colombia and South Korea for second place. Neither have advanced past the round of 16 at a World Cup before, and South Korea lost 2-0 to Nigeria at the last World Cup, a team who Morocco beat in the semifinals of the WAFCON. — Solms

Germany

Also known as: DFB-Frauenteam

– FIFA world rank: 2

– Finish in previous World Cup: Quarterfinals

The team have reached the semifinals in five of eight previous WWC appearances, seeking to become second country with three WWC titles, joining the United States. Since the beginning of 2021, Germany has mixed results in all competitions when facing current FIFA top 10 teams; they have a record of 6W-2D-7L

It’s Germany, winning the whole damn thing is always on the cards, isn’t it? It’s not just the pedigree or history of the team but they were right there last summer, battling injuries and COVID dropouts and, other than their form heading into this World Cup — and the loss of two full-backs to ACL tears — there is no reason that they can’t dig back into that form and football from the Euros. — Lawson