The 2023 Women’s World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand kicks off on June 20 in Auckland and at a time when the profile of the women’s game has never been higher it looks like we’re in for particularly open edition of the tournament.
In-form favourites and reigning champions USA are a team in transition. England are without key players through injury and sweating on the fitness of several more.
Spain’s options are limited after 15 players withdrew from the squad after issues in the camp, while Germany will need to beat Brazil, England and France just to reach the final if the bracket works out according the odds.
Women’s World Cup winner odds
USA – 5/2
England – 7/2
Spain – 6/1
Germany – 13/2
France – 10/1
Australia – 12/1
Others – 16/1 or more
Bet on the latest Women’s World Cup betting odds at Betzone
Women’s World Cup 2023 winner prediction
The USA and SPAIN are the two clear form teams heading into the Women’s World Cup, with the nations winning eight and nine of their last 10 games respectively.
Vlatko Andonovski’s defending champions are, as ever the team to beat in Australia and New Zealand but they’re also a team in transition. Several of those women who started the 2019 final remain in the squad, but few bar Alex Morgan are anything like assured a place in the XI.
The effect that has on those tasked with coming through to build their next great team remains to be seen, but consecutive friendly losses to Spain, England and Germany in October and November 2022 suggest that their aura of invincibility isn’t quite what it was.
Spain are just under three times the price of the Stars and Stripes and they’re well worth backing to gain revenge for their last 16 elimination at the hands of the Amercians in 2019.
The two sides are on course to clash in the semis and La Roja look to have a simple enough route to that stage, with New Zealand and Sweden their likely round-of-16 and quarter-final opposition.
Jorge Vilda has an enviable array of talent at his disposal even after the withdrawal of several squad members’ availability in 2022.
Four of the Barcelona side that started and won the UEFA Champions League Final this year are among them, while 2021 and 2022 Ballon d’Or Feminin winner Alexia Putellas was on the bench.
Putellas return from a knee injury has gone as well as anyone could have expected and she will be fit to play a key role. With several of the world’s best players in their squad it feels like this could the time that Spain go all the way after going out of their last two major tournaments 2-1 to the eventual winners.
