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Women’s World Cup 2023: 5 favorites to win it all down under

By Caden Charpentier

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 06: Chloe Kelly and Leah Williamson of England celebrate victory after the Women´s Finalissima 2023 match between England and Brazil at Wembley Stadium on April 06, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 06: Chloe Kelly and Leah Williamson of England celebrate victory after the Women´s Finalissima 2023 match between England and Brazil at Wembley Stadium on April 06, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) /
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SITTARD – Alexandra Popp of Germany women during the friendly match for women between Netherlands and Germany at Fortuna Sittard Stadium on April 7, 2023 in Sittard, Netherlands. AP | Dutch Height | GERRIT OF COLOGNE (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)
SITTARD – Alexandra Popp of Germany women during the friendly match for women between Netherlands and Germany at Fortuna Sittard Stadium on April 7, 2023 in Sittard, Netherlands. AP | Dutch Height | GERRIT OF COLOGNE (Photo by ANP via Getty Images) /

3. Germany

Manager: Martina Voss-Tecklenburg

FIFA World Ranking: No. 2

Only two nations have won multiple Women’s World Cups. Germany is one of them. Coming off a disheartening defeat in the Women’s European Championship to England in extra time, this German side has to be motivated to get back on the world stage. If the Germans had Alexandra Popp up top against the host in the Euros, the final could have turned out differently.

Since winning back-to-back World Cups in 2003 and 2007, DFB-Frauen has not finished higher than fourth. In 2019, Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s side lost to Sweden in the quarterfinals as a Stina Blackstenius’ second-half goal proved to be the difference. With Merle Frohms between the sticks, and Lena Oberdorf along with Jule Brand in the midfield among others, the Germans have a top-class team littered with talent that includes Popp in the attack. Germany should set to take on England in the quarterfinals if all goes to plan. It might be considered a tall task, but there is no doubt that with a year of reflection, this side knows it can compete against anyone in the world.