11 July 2023 , 05:00
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According to the bookmakers, England have a big chance of lifting the World Cup for the first time next month.
The Lionesses, who begin their campaign against Haiti on July 22, are still considered big favourites despite missing key players through injury such as captain Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby and star forward Beth Mead. Only holders USA have shorter odds, as they go in search of an historic third world crown in a row.
But this is also widely considered possibly the most open competition in tournament history. With the European club season having ended well over a month ago, judging form and fitness is a challenging task, while some of the top nations' build-up has been overshadowed by players doing battle with national federations over playing conditions
England are also not the only nation to be missing big names through injury, while there is also the question of how teams will adapt to the Australasian climate and lengthy travel between cities across two huge countries. The Lionesses should be in the mix at the business end, but right now the competition looks almost too close to call.
Here are five teams Mirror Football expect to pose the biggest threat to Sarina Wiegman's sides' hopes of lifting the trophy.
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United States
Let's start with the obvious. As four-time champions and current holders, the USWNT will once again be expected to go far Down Under.
But the Stars and Stripes aren't head and shoulders above the competition as they were in both 2015 and 2019. They were beaten by the trio Spain, England and Germany in late 2022 and weren't particularly unlucky in defeat.
The USA also, like England, are missing some huge talent through injury. Captain Becky Sauerbrunn is out with injury while one of the best forwards in the game, Mallory Swanson, also misses out with a torn patella tendon.
Alex Morgan will be looking to win her third World Cup this summer for the USWNTSwanson had scored seven goals in six caps before her injury and will be a huge miss for coach Vlatko Andonovski. But this is still a squad packed with talent, including the big names of Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe.
The holders also have the advantage of most of their players not needing to worry 'match ready', which could prove crucial. This is because the vast majority play domestically in the NWSL, which runs from March-November and was in full flow before breaking for the finals last week.
The Lionesses may now know how to get a win over the USA. But beating them in a one-off international at home is one thing, defeating the World Champions on the biggest stage of all is another.
France
England have history when it comes to France and the World Cup finals. The Lionesses suffered penalty pain against Les Blues back in 2011 in Leverkusen, one of their most gut-wrenching tournament memories.
The French also beat Mark Sampson's side in the first game of the 2015 finals in Canada, and regularly reach the latter stages of international competition. But they have been in complete turmoil over the last year.
Herve Renard has recalled top goalscorer Eugenie Le Sommer to the France fold since taking over earlier this yearHerve Renard has been appointed after Corinne Diacre's reign ended in complete chaos. Diacre had alienated a number of key players in her squad over recent years, with legendary forward Eugenie Le Sommer completely discarded. She eventually was sacked after three key players, including skipper Wendie Renard, said they would never play for Diacre again.
But if manager Renard can unite the squad, they have the power and the experience to give any side in the world problems. Lyon have dominated the Women's Champions League for much of the last decade and a sizeable percentage of their players also turn out for France.
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They were narrowly beaten at the semi-final stage at both the 2019 World Cup and 2022 Euros and shouldn't be far off again. Should England and France win their respective groups they could meet at the semi-final stage in Sydney.
Germany
No European team has been more consistent at Women's World Cup finals than Germany. The two-time champions have never not, as a minimum, reached the last eight of the tournament.
DFB-Frauenteam weren't favourites at Euro 2022 but had it not been for Alexandra Popp's injury in the warm-up and Chloe Kelly's extra-time winner they may well have lifted yet another major trophy. And there is no reason they won't go far this time, with the likes of Lena Oberdorf and Sara Dabritz in the side.
The Germans also arguably have the best choice of goalkeepers in the world with both Wolfsburg stopper Merle Frohms and Chelsea keeper Ann-Katrin Berger fighting for the number one position. Whilst the squad is strong, big concerns remain over form.
Alexandra Popp will be crucial to Germany's chances of winning the World CupA shock 3-2 defeat to World Cup debutants Zambia last weekend means they have now won just twice in their last six games. One of those was a narrow 2-1 friendly success over another debutant, Vietnam.
The Lionesses could be set to face Germany at the quarter-final stage, in a potential rematch of the Euros final. But with captain Popp fit and firing this time around, it could be a far tougher task for Wiegman and her team.
Australia
The World Cup co-hosts could make the most of home advantage this summer. Australia have never won the biggest prize in the women's game but are now as short as 10-1 with most bookmakers.
It's perhaps no surprise considering they swatted England aside at Brentford back in April, ending the Lionesses lengthy 30-game unbeaten run under Wiegman. They are also packed with major WSL stars, with Chelsea forward Sam Kerr - dubbed the 'million dollar Matilda' - leading the line.
Sam Kerr celebrates after scoring Australia's first goal against England in April (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)Arsenal duo Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley, as well as Hayley Raso, who has just joined Real Madrid from Man City, provide a stellar supporting cast. With Kerr in their side the Matildas will believe they score against anyone. And having the best No.9 in the game, combined with feverish home support, means they are a serious threat to the status quo.
Australia's toughest ask could be winning a tricky looking Group B, with Olympic winners Canada and Republic of Ireland also in the mix and looking to make it to the knockout stages. But if the co-hosts can do so, a likely meeting with Denmark in the last 16 presents a decent opportunity to reach the quarters.
History is slightly against the Matildas. They have never been past the last eight stage at any of the previous tournaments. But this is a seriously talented squad, don't be surprised to see Tony Gustavsson's team go further this time around.
Spain
It seems strange to label Spain as 'dark horses'. So much of the all-conquering Barcelona team that has dominantly won two out of the last three European Cups, are eligible for La Roja.
With Alexia Putellas back to fitness, Spain are one of the tournament favouritesYet, like European neighbours France, they have spent much of their time since Euro 2022 at the centre of controversy. A number of senior figures in the team spoke out against conditions within the national set-up, 15 in total walking away from selection.
The players felt a fresh approach was needed after Euro 2022, with manager Jorge Vilda and his coaching staff the main issue. Vilda though has remained in post and continued to move forward without some of those who signed letters saying they would not play while he calls the shots.
But Vilda has recalled star player Alexia Putellas following her return from an ACL injury, while Barcelona's Mariona Caldentey, Aitana Bonmati and Ona Batlle are all back in the fold after they were part of the initial 15 to protest. If they can stay united as a group, this is a Spain team that can hurt anyone.
Jorge Vilda has been the head coach of the Spanish national team since 2015 (Naomi Baker/Getty Images)After all, they were only seven minutes away from knocking eventual champions England out of Euro 2022 at the quarter final stage before Ella Toone's late goal - how different our summer could have been. The Spanish have endured plenty of turmoil but if things come together on the pitch, there is no reason they cant go all the way in an open tournament.
A favourable group with former winners Japan, Costa Rica and Zambia gives them a big chance to make the perfect start. England can at least take comfort from the fact they won't meet Spain until the final, providing both sides top their groups as is expected. If that does come to fruition, La Roja will be desperate to avenge their Euros defeat in Brighton and shock the world. They are yet to get beyond the last 16 at the finals, but surely that will change this year.
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