The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is set to kick off in Australia and New Zealand on July 20th, and it already feels like a turning point for the women’s game before a single goal has even been scored. For one, it marks the first Women’s World Cup with 32 teams, an expansion from the 24-team format of the last two World Cups. Additionally, despite the United States entering the tournament as two-time defending champions, the tournament seems more wide-open than ever. 

The United States are still favorites, but injuries as well as recent losses to the likes of England, Spain, and Germany have raised questions as to whether or not this team is as far ahead of the competition as sides in years past. England enter the World Cup as arguably the hottest team in the world, having run a gauntlet of Spain, Sweden, and Germany to win the 2022 Euros and defeating Brazil on penalties to win the first-ever Women’s Finalissima. Led by the likes of Keira Walsh and Lucy Bronze, the Three Lionesses will look to break through to their first-ever World Cup final in Sydney after back-to-back semifinals in 2015 and 2019. Spain have not enjoyed the same tournament success as England have due to injuries and rifts between players and the Spanish FA, but boast arguably the strongest selection of talent of any team in the field. Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas is the best player in the world when healthy, and aside from her a host of Barcelona and Real Madrid players from the likes of Irene Paredes, Salma Paraluello, Aitana Bonmati, Teresa Abelleria, Esther Gonzales, and Olga Carmona will help to comprise a Spanish side oozing with pedigree.

Looking even further, the likes of Germany, Sweden, and Canada will look to build upon recent runs in major tournaments and go far down under, while Brazil, France, and Australia look to finally win their veteran superstars the biggest trophy of all. 

With maybe the most highly anticipated Women’s World Cup of all time ready to get started, here are my predictions:

Group A:

1. New Zealand
2. Norway
3. Switzerland
4. Philippines

Group B:

1. Canada
2. Australia
3. Nigeria
4. Ireland

Group C:

1. Spain
2. Japan
3. Costa Rica
4. Zambia

Group D:

1. England
2. Denmark
3. China
4. Haiti

Group E:

1. United States
2. Netherlands
3. Portugal
4. Vietnam

Group F:

1. France
2. Brazil
3. Jamaica
4. Panama

Group G:

1. Sweden
2. Italy
3. Argentina
4. South Africa

Group H:

1. Germany
2. Colombia
3. South Korea
4. Morocco

Round of 16:

New Zealand 3-1 Japan

United States 3-0 Italy

Spain 2-1 Norway

Sweden 2-0 Netherlands

Canada 3-2 Denmark

France 2-0 Colombia

England 3-1 Australia

Germany 4-1 Brazil

Quarterfinals:

New Zealand 1-2 United States

Spain 1-2 Sweden

Canada 2-1 France

England 2-0 Germany

Semifinals:

United States 0-2 Sweden

Canada 0-1 England

Third-Place Match:

United States 1-0 Canada

2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final:

England 2-1 Sweden

The reigning champions are stunned in the semifinals by a Swedish team that has proven to be a thorn in their side in recent years, while England edge past Canada to reach their first-ever final. There, they have just enough to get by Sweden to win their first World Cup, third major trophy in the last two years, and the first World Cup by an English senior team since 1966.