WWC2023 – Some interesting team profiles

As we proceed with the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup, it's clear we're in for an exciting ride if the first four games are anything to go by. Victories for Spain, Japan, Netherlands and Sweden, mean we are half-way through filling the quarter-final spots. Here are some themes and players to watch, for a more engaging experience!

The Show Headliner

If the WWC were a music festival, Samantha Kerr & the Matildas is the main event on every ticket stub, for as long as the Australians stay in the competition. Star player Sam Kerr has been consistently great at the highest level for years, she’s been nominated for every Women’s Ballon d’Or since the first one in 2018. Boasting tenacity, great finishing and pace, her skillset sets her apart as one of the most exciting figures in the women’s game. Within her three years in England, she has already surpassed 50 Women’s Super League goals, won three League and FA Cup doubles with Chelsea, and was recently named Player of the Season for the third year straight. Hosting a World Cup right off that kind of form promises to be exciting for any player. Record breaking attendance, and jersey sales surpassing that of the men’s predict the support for the co-host nation would be huge, and like many rockstars, Sam Kerr’s been reportedly late for the show unfortunately. She missed the group stage games through a calf injury, but the Aussie all-time goal legend is keen to recover and deliver for her country. Til then hopes will rest with other stars like Hayley Raso of Real Madrid, and Stephanie Catley of Arsenal who converted the penalty in the opener against Ireland. Securing qualification to the knockout stages is massive for them, especially as the co-hosts New Zealand have been eliminated. With the challenge of the Danish in front of them, they’d be hoping Samantha is fit enough to give us a show to keep the dream alive.

No 3-Peat for USA

USA Women were in search of their third World Cup triumph in a row, following gold medals in 2015 & 2019. It would have been a record extending 5th Women’s World Cup, underlining their dominance of the game, but it wasn't to be, after a Round of 16 exit to Sweden. Since the first World Cup win in 1991, US Women have always finished on the podium. That’s eight straight top 3 finishes! Having never done worse than the semi-finals, this was easily their worst showing on the world stage. Not the first shock of the tournament, the competition is as fierce as it’s ever been. Many other teams have made great strides over the past few years, watching the throne, looking to bridge the gap. How they measure up against Team USA is the ultimate test, so the reigning champions were always with a target on their backs. Immense pressure to play with, even for a very experienced squad. The second oldest at the tournament with an average age of 28.5 years, including national heroines like Alex Morgan (34), Megan Rapinoe (38), Kelley O’hara (35) and Alyssa Naeher (35). Fairly balanced out by some exciting youth prospects like Alyssa Thompson, last season's ballon d'Or nominee Trinity Rodman, and Sophia Smith, at their first WWC. Sophia’s the youngest MVP in NWSL history, and was named U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year. She and Lindsay Horan were the highest scorers with two each. An unfortunate end to a great start, which goes for the whole team struggling to convert chances. Although not at their supreme best, it’s perhaps more indicative of the improvement of the global competition, which is a win for the women's game. They can take it on the chin, iron out the kinks and come back harder in 4 years. What a tournament it'll be!

The Spanish Inquisition

Led by icon and phenom Alexia Putellas, midfield general and captain of Barcelona and the Spanish National Team. The two time ballon d’Or winner and most capped Spanish player had been injured for most of this season, but she’s made a speedy recovery for the World Cup and was back in the starting line-up in their 5-0 thrashing over Zambia. She possesses great technique and first touch, offensive awareness, movement off the ball, passing technique and finishing. A well rounded player, the ultimate weapon for Spain should they make a deep run into the knockout stages as she becomes more match fit. Covering for her at club level last season was the electric Aitana Bonmati, another ace up their sleeves. Named Champions League player of the season, and a potential ballon d’Or candidate for 2023 seeing how she’s started the competition. Slick with the ball, with great vision and quick with her feet. Her dribbling and passing technique is critical to a possession-based spanish style of play. 14 goals and 10 assists this season, not at all a terrible contribution. The squad boasts of 8 Barcelona players coming into the competition right after a League and Champions League double winning season, and another exceptional 8 from league runner-ups Real Madrid. As well as one Jennifer Hermoso, all-time record scorer for Barcelona & Spain, who’s already recorded three goals in this World Cup. Another player to watch for is Alba Redondo who won the Pichichi award for being the top scorer in the Liga F last season, with a massive 27 goals in 30 games. Also with three goals at the tournament, she’d be hungry for more. A little hiccup against Japan where they lost 4-0, their worst defeat since 2012, despite having 77% possession. They had no answer for the full press, and the quick direct play of the Japanese. They however made up for that game, and the Round of 16 exit in 2019 when they sealed qualification to the quarter-finals for the first time ever, beating Switzerland 5-1 as they continue their quest for gold.

The English Resurgence

Following their Euros triumph last summer, the English women ought to be considered one of the favorites for the World Cup this year. Though injuries brought some doubt and concern for a little while, with Euro 2022 star Beth Mead and team captain Leah Williamson missing, however the named squad boasts incredible talent still. Barcelona duo Keira Walsh and the legendary Lucy Bronze are present, although Keira also got injured in the group stages. The reigns of the primary playmaker seem to have fallen to the exciting Lauren James, younger sister of Chelsea star right-back, Reece James. Lots of skill and pace, and “technically better than many premier league stars” Reece has claimed, and she’s shown in the quality of her finishes. She’s taken this World Cup by storm, and announced herself on the big stage with 3 incredible goals and 3 assists in the 3 games played so far. The 21 year old came into the tournament on the back of a league and cup double winning season with Chelsea in the WSL, and has become a key player for the perennial winners. A triumphant or deep run at this World Cup could see a well deserved ballon d’Or nomination this year. Also the full-back turned striker at Aston Villa, Rachel Daly is another to watch for England. She finished as the WSL golden boot winner with 22 goals, ahead of Jamaica’s Bunny Shaw for Manchester City. Quite clinical, seeing as Aston Villa doesn’t create as many chances as any of the ‘top 4’ teams. Her incredible finishing form this season could be a weapon for England if she gets it going up front. Goal contributions from Arsenal’s new signing Alessia Russo, and Lauren Hemp of Manchester City could be key as well when they take on the tenacious Nigeria women in the Round of 16.

The French March

A little disappointing to learn the French have done no better than a 4th place finish at the World Cup, though after only 4 attempts from a possible 8. Qualifying for the first time in 2003, and then missing out again in 2007. However, the National Team have been ever-present at Women's World Cups since local giant Olympique Lyonnais' climb as the top team in Europe in recent years. With an incredible 8 CL wins in 12 seasons. Captain for club and country, Wendie Renard is a legend of the game and one of the most decorated players in the modern women’s game, with 14 French Division titles and all 8 European Championships over her time for Lyon. She plays as a center back, and is quite possibly the greatest of all time in her position. She is strong with good pace and technique, and capable of scoring powerful headers as we saw with the match winner against Brazil. Currently at 35 goals for France, and 92 for Lyon despite playing in defense. On the offensive front, Lyon teammates Selma Bacha, Sakina Karchaoui, Eugenie Le Sommer, and Kadidiatou Diani would be pulling the strings, looking to create scoring chances. Selma primarily plays on the left wing and is known for her skill, speed, and technical abilities on the field. A nominee for the ballon d'Or last season, she has a good eye for scoring goals and is also adept at providing assists to her teammates. Sakina has a strong attacking presence from defense, bombing forward whipping crosses in, effective both offensively and defensively. While Kadidiatou Diani plays up front, and already has 3 goals and an assist in the tournament. With that win over Brazil, the French boss Herve Renard becomes the first coach to win a game in both the Women’s and Men’s World Cup, after he led Saudi Arabia to that historic win over Argentina last December. His experience could be the missing ingredient for Les Bleues to go all the way this time around. They have knockout stage first-timers Morocco to contend with if they hope to reach the quarter-finals.

The Luck of the Swedes

While the germans are the most successful European nation at the tournament, the Swedes have the most podium finishes after the US although they’ve never won the competition. The Swedish women have finished in the top 3 on 4 occasions out of 8 attempts. Third place in 1991, 2011 and 2019, with the best finish at Second place coming in 2003 after the final loss to Germany. Consistently bubbling under, they are currently ranked 3rd in the world, and would be hoping for better luck this time around. Already off to a great start, Sweden topped group G with 3 wins out of 3, thrashing Italy 5-0 in the process. A major highlight is the danger they pose from corners and set-pieces, 4 of their 9 goals in the competition have come from corners. The squad is well balanced with top players in top clubs in all positions, Bayern’s Magdalena Eriksson in defense, Arsenal’s pair of Amanda Ilestedt at the back and Stina Blacktenius up front, the brilliant Zećira Mušović in goal plays at Chelsea, Asllani now in AC Milan from Real Madrid, and Barcelona’s Fridolina Rolfö bossing it down the flanks and in midfield. Quality in every position, for so many years. It's no wonder they often make deep runs in the tournament, and it’s always a brilliant showing when they take on the US. Goalie Zećira Mušović was in fine form with 11 saves as they advanced to the quarter-finals. With USA and Germany eliminated, Sweden is now the highest ranked team in the competition, perhaps their luck is about to change.

The German Shock

2-time World Champions Germany were in search of a third title after back to back wins in 2003 and 2007. Ranked number two in the world behind USA, they are the most successful European team at the tournament, with only Norway able to brag of a World Cup triumph. Led by veteran striker Alexandra Popp, who plays her footy at the mighty Wolfsburg. No one has more assists than her in CL history. She came into the World Cup with 24 goal involvements in 31 appearances this season for her club. She managed 4 goals over the three group stage games, but it wasn’t enough to secure qualification. She had 9 of her club teammates with her, as the squad was built mainly of Wolfsburg players. Merle Frohms in goal, Kathrin Hendrich in defense, Svenja Huth on the wings, and the incredible Lena Oberdorf in midfield, breaking down plays, launching counters and creating scoring chances. Many like I would have been looking forward to their performances in the latter stages but it wasn’t to be, a shock defeat to the brilliant Colombia, missed chances, and an error early against the Koreans put the dream beyond reach. Another ode to the global progress of the women’s game, but a tough break for most of the team after dramatic final losses in the Champions League and the 2022 Euros. Eager to see them bounce back from this. This should also put a few top teams on their toes, the smaller footy nations are growing and bridging the gap. It’s the first time in the competition’s history three African teams make the knockout stages, we’ve also seen first time participants Jamaica qualify at the expense of Brazil, keeping three cleansheets in the process. You get the feeling we’ll be seeing a few more shocks as we progress, and we’re all here for it!