The United States shall be taking part in for an unprecedented three-peat at this 12 months’s Women’s World Cup. It will not be simple for the No. 1 staff on the planet.
Co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, the quadrennial event kicks off on July 20 and options an expanded subject of 32 groups, up from 24. There are 64 matches throughout the event.
That means extra competitors for the two-time defending World Cup champion U.S., which gained the 2015 occasion in Canada and the 2019 event in France. The Americans have gained 4 titles total, most of any nation.
Schedule, location
The 32 groups are divided into eight teams of 4 groups every. Each staff performs a three-game, round-robin group stage, operating from July 20 to August 3.
The prime finishers advance to the spherical of 16 from August 5 to eight. The quarterfinals are set for August 11 to 12, and the 2 semifinal matches shall be performed August 15-16. A 3rd-place sport is about for August 19 in Brisbane, forward of the ultimate in Sydney.
The remaining will air at 6 a.m. ET on August 20 within the United States.
The broadcast schedule is sophisticated by the point distinction. The United States is taking part in in Group E with Vietnam, the Netherlands and Portugal. The opening match is in opposition to Vietnam on July 22 in Auckland, which due to the time distinction, will air within the U.S. on July 21 at 9 p.m. ET.
People take part throughout a Unity Celebration occasion on the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, June 25, 2023, as a part of the lead as much as the FIFA Women’s World Cup soccer event that shall be held starting July 20 in Australia and New Zealand.
A rematch of the 2019 remaining in opposition to the Netherlands is about for July 27 in Wellington, airing at 9 p.m. ET on July 26 within the U.S. The final group sport in opposition to Portugal is about for August 1, airing at 3 a.m. ET that day.
Where to look at
Fox holds the English-language media rights within the United States for the Women’s World Cup. Telemundo holds the Spanish-language rights.
Fox will broadcast a report 29 matches on its predominant community. The remainder of the video games shall be aired on FS1. All matches shall be streamed on the Fox app.
FIFA struck a collective take care of the European Broadcasting Union in mid-June, ending a standoff with broadcasters in 5 main European tv markets. The deal ensures the video games will air in France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Britain.
Players to look at
There are two distinct teams of gamers to look at at this World Cup: veteran superstars and proficient youthful gamers.
Canada’s Christine Sinclair leads a gaggle of veterans that features Brazil’s Marta, Australia’s Sam Kerr, France’s Wendie Renard and American Alex Morgan.
FILE – Canada’s Christine Sinclair, left, and Trinidad and Tobago’s Victoria Swift compete for the ball throughout a CONCACAF ladies’s championship soccer match in Monterrey, Mexico, July 5, 2022.
Sinclair, who’s 40 and certain taking part in in her remaining World Cup, is worldwide soccer’s all-time main scorer, amongst ladies or males, with 190 profession objectives.
Young stars embody 22-year-old U.S. ahead Sophia Smith, 21-year-old Jody Brown of Jamaica and 19-year-old Melchie Dumornay of Haiti.
Smith doubled up final 12 months as each the U.S. Soccer Player of the Year and the National Women’s Soccer League’s Most Valuable Player.
Teams to look at
The United States is ranked No. 1 on the planet within the newest FIFA rankings. The Americans are a powerful staff regardless of current accidents, however their dominance in worldwide play shall be challenged at this World Cup.
Germany, ranked No. 2, gained back-to-back World Cups in 2003 and 2007. Third-ranked Sweden knocked the United States out of the 2016 Olympics within the quarterfinals. Seventh-ranked Canada gained the gold medal on the Tokyo Games.
Considered a contender, England has been hit by a collection of accidents to prime gamers together with Beth Mead, Fran Kirby and captain Leah Williamson. All three will miss the World Cup. France switched coaches in March after a trio of gamers threatened to skip the event.
FILE – Australia’s Sam Kerr, second proper, celebrates with teammates after scoring in opposition to England throughout their ladies’s worldwide pleasant soccer match in London, April 11, 2023.
Australia cannot be counted out as co-hosts. The Matildas, the nation’s nationwide staff, shall be boosted by Kerr, one of many world’s greatest gamers.
Betting information
The United States is a +240 favourite to win the World Cup, in accordance with FanDuel Sportsbook. England is subsequent at +380, adopted by Spain at +650.
There’s additionally an enormous group of groups the oddsmakers say have little probability of lifting the trophy, together with Jamaica, Vietnam, Argentina, Zambia, Nigeria, Costa Rica, Morocco, Philippines, South Africa, Haiti and Panama. All are at +43,000.