

Photo by Maksym Tymchyk 🇺🇦 on Unsplash
The Quadrennial FIFA Women’s World Cup is around the corner and the participating teams have put preparations in top gear for outstanding performances.
Former winners like The United States, Sweden, and China have all booked their places at the World Cup and have all been touted as favorites to lift the coveted title at the end of hostilities in Australia and New Zealand in August.
From the pool of favorites, the United States is the overwhelming favorite, and many Sportsbooks are already backing the multiple champions to add to their title collection.
The position of America as a favorite is further strengthened by her status as the defending champion and the winner of the most FIFA Women’s World Cup.
As a result, the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) are being backed by different sportsbooks with bonuses in the United States to retain their title.
Hence, smart money will be on the Vlatko Andonovski tutored team to go all the way, and retain their title.
For fans who are inclined to sports betting, there’s a twin advantage of making profits off their stakes and claiming a sports betting bonus when they sign up with a Sportsbook.
The USWNT has the best chance of winning, and as such their odds aren’t that favorable for bettors. However, there is an opportunity to claim bonus bets on any of the many sportsbooks operating in the United States.
On a grander scale, the 2023 Women’s World Cup is poised to be the biggest in the history of the tournament, with 32 teams participating for the first time in the competition’s history.
The expansion from a 24-team format to a 32-team format means that there will be more matches, and as a consequence, more revenue from Broadcast rights and sponsorship.
The popularity of the competition is going to soar, given that new teams like Panama, Haiti, the Republic of Ireland, the Philippines, and Vietnam are going to make their bow in the competition.
While these debutants are a long shot for the title, the former winners of the tournament who have booked their places in Mundial, are real contenders for the trophy.
The United States, Germany, Sweden, China, and the like have proved their mettle over time, and they are the likely favorites once again.
Nevertheless, the competition is now bigger in size, and the US and other countries favored to win may not have it their way in this year’s tournament.
So, which countries are likely to give the United States a run for their money when hostilities begin down under?
Let’s take a look at the top 10 teams in contention for the trophy this year.
10. Netherlands
The Netherlands has come a long way in Women’s football, but it can be said that they have mirrored their male counterparts in terms of fortune.
The Dutch got to the finals of the 2019 World Cup where they lost to the United States, and they failed to replicate their 2017 feat, bowing out in the quarterfinals of the European championship in 2022 the Quarter-final stage.
Despite the talents of Vivianne Miedema and Danielle van de Donk in the squad, they are a long way from lifting the title.
9. Spain
The Spanish federation was hit by a torrent of withdrawals from the National team in 2022 in protest against Jorge Vidal, the manager of the team.
The players had petitioned the Spanish FA over the conduct of Vidal that affected the mental state of the players.
However, the Spanish Football authorities responded with vehement support for their employee, and he will be at the helm of affairs when the Spanish team files out in Australia and New Zealand.
Relations within the Spanish squad have since improved with three of the players who previously walked on the team being recalled to the fold.
The players recalled includes Mariona Caldentey, Aitana Bonmati, and Ona Batlle.
Obviously, Spin will not be at full strength at the World Cup, but they still remain a team to look out for.
8. Canada
Canada recently won the Gold Medal at the 2021 Olympics under the tutelage of English manager, Bev Priestaman.
In the build-up to the Olympics, the Canadians were considered dark horses, but they made good their potential by clinching the Gold medal.
The talismanic Christine Sinclair is still going strong at 40, and with support from the likes of Jessie Fleming and Ashley Lawrence, the Canadians are dark horses for the title.
7. France
France is one of the teams to keep an eye on at the World Cup simply because of the plethora of talents within the French setup.
They got to the quarterfinals of the last World Cup and the Semi-finals of the European championship.
However, just like the Spaniards a number of players withdrew from the squad, but that is now water under the bridge with the return of all-time scorer, Eugenie Le Sommer, as well Wendie Renard.
6. Brazil
At the first mention of Brazil’s Women’s National Team, Marta is the first name that comes to mind.
If she makes the cut, the veteran will be making her sixth appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Earlier in the year, Brazil gave England a taste of what they are willing to display at the World Cup in the Finalissima with a 1-1 draw, before eventually losing 4-2 on penalties.
Brazil is a perennial hopeful, and that position has not changed.
5. Australia
One of the co-hosts of this year’s tournament Australia has an outside chance of lifting the Women’s World Cup.
The Aussies have come a long way and with stars like Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord, the host could be in line to spring a surprise.
The home side has a strong chance of progressing from the Group that has African power House, Nigeria, debutants, the Republic of Ireland, and Canada.
Although, it is unlikely that they will have a full complement of their players due to injuries. But the Matildas can count on the home support to go all the way.
4. Sweden
Sweden has been a favorite for every FIFA Women’s World Cup since its inception in 1991.
The Swedes are so good that they have reached the semi-final stage or better in each of their last three appearances at the different major tournaments.
Peter Gerhardsson has one of the most experienced squads at the World Cup and he will be hopeful of leading his team one step better than their 2003 final appearance.
3. England
England’s stock a reference for Women’s football in Europe got a boost with their triumph at the Euro 2022 Championship on home turf.
But the squad that will be heading down under is a little different from the team from just a year ago.
Fran Kirby, Beth Mead, and Leah Williamson are all out with various injuries, meaning that there will be marked changes to the England starting lineup at the World Cup.
However, the depth of the English squad is one of the best in the tournament, and they are expected to go all the way.
2. Germany
Germany has dominated European football for almost 30 years. In that time, the Hermans have claimed six European titles.
They also got to the finals of the European championship, before losing to hosts England in the final in extra time.
The Germans have a youthful squad brimming with experience and they have been touted to go all the way at the World Cup.
1. United States
The United States of America has always gone into every FIFA Women’s World Cup as favorites. And their record in the last two editions of the tournament lends credence to that.
In fact, they emerged victorious in 21 of their last 24 games. Going into a major competition with that form and level of confidence says a lot about the multiple world Champions.
