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Women’s World Cup 2023 predictions: Picking every country to advance to knockout stages

By Caden Charpentier

SAN JOSE, CA - JULY 9: Alex Morgan #13 and Lindsey Horan #10 of USA during a send-off celebration after an international friendly game between Wales and USWNT at PayPal Park on July 9, 2023 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Bob Drebin/ISI Photos/Getty Images).
SAN JOSE, CA - JULY 9: Alex Morgan #13 and Lindsey Horan #10 of USA during a send-off celebration after an international friendly game between Wales and USWNT at PayPal Park on July 9, 2023 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Bob Drebin/ISI Photos/Getty Images). /
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THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS – OCTOBER 11: Maren Mjelde of Norway battles for the ball with Fenna Kalma of the Netherlands during the International Friendly match between Netherlands and Norway at the ADO Den Haag stadium on October 11, 2022 in The Hague, Netherlands (Photo by Broer vd Boom/Orange Pictures/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS – OCTOBER 11: Maren Mjelde of Norway battles for the ball with Fenna Kalma of the Netherlands during the International Friendly match between Netherlands and Norway at the ADO Den Haag stadium on October 11, 2022 in The Hague, Netherlands (Photo by Broer vd Boom/Orange Pictures/BSR Agency/Getty Images) /

The most competitive World Cup in the history of women’s soccer is just hours away, and as the anticipation continues to build, we attempt to predict the 16 teams out of the group stage. 

Groups A and B 2023 Women’s World Cup predictions

Group A: Norway, New Zealand, Switzerland, Philippines

Even with the Norwegian’s struggles in the Women’s Euros last summer, Hege Riise’s side should roll this group. With players like Guro Reiten, Caroline Graham Hansen, Frida Maanum, and Maren Mjelde, Norway not only has all the tools to find the back of the net frequently, but keep opponents out of it. Other than the Grasshoppers, none of the countries in Group A have ever made it past the Round of 16. Both New Zealand and the Philippines are still seeking their first Women’s World Cup victory.

Switzerland has a new manager, but are yet to be on the winning end of a single match this calendar year. Even with that fact, the Swiss simply have the individual talent to oust both the Football Ferns and the Filipinas out of the tournament. Ali Riley’s late second-half goal in a friendly in 2022 gave New Zealand a win over the Philippines. The meeting of those two countries will be entertaining, but ultimately, it is not enough to amass enough points to surpass Norway, or Switzerland.

Nations to advance: Norway, Switzerland 

Group B: Australia, Canada, Republic of Ireland, Nigeria

Without question, this is the “group of death” in this tournament. Nigeria, and the Republic of Ireland, while they may not advance, will make life as difficult as possible for the two frontrunners. The Irish are debutants, but in reality they have a team that battled the No. 1 ranked team in the world back in April incredibly well. Equipped with ultra-talented players in the frontline including Barcelona’s Asisat Oshoala, Nigeria is not a side any of these teams want to underestimate despite them being the lowest ranked side of the four.

Two teams in the top-ten of the FIFA World Rankings make up half of Group B. Australia, otherwise known as The Matildas will have the entire nation behind them at almost every match. Tony Gustavsson’s side most recently defeated France, England, and Spain. The hosts, with the assistance of Sam Kerr’s goal-scoring prowess should top the group despite the talent that it possesses.

Canada, led by veteran Christine Sinclair in the frontline, and Jessie Fleming in the middle of the pitch are the defending Olympic Gold Medalists. The neighbors to the north of the United States are still in a fight with their federations regarding equitable opportunity following the qualification of the men’s team to the Qatar World Cup. The Canadians will have the motivation of what looks like Sinclair’s final World Cup, and the desire the improve an 11th place finish in 2019. It will not be as cut and dry as it may be for nations like Sweden, but at the end of this group, the two favorites will find a way to earn a place among the top-two.

Nations to advance: Australia, Canada