Fansided

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). /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
SAN JOSE, CA – JULY 9: Lynn Williams #6 of USA advances the ball during 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: Lynn Williams #6 of USA advances the ball during 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). /

Groups E and F 2023 Women’s World Cup predictions

Group E: United States, Netherlands, Portugal, Vietnam

Group E is the only set of four in this competition with more than one debutant. Everyone is gunning for the United States as Megan Rapinoe and the rest of the crew aim to secure a record third straight world title. The last time the Americans played an Asian Football Confederation side to open up a World Cup, the stars and stripes exploded for 13 goals. Vietnam’s journey to the World Cup is one the country should be proud of, but being in the same group against the world No. 1 right off the bat is just unlucky.

Even with a concerning display in San Jose against Wales, the USWNT has far and away the most talent within this group. The rematch of the 2019 final between Netherlands, and the United States should be a thriller, but Vivianne Miedema’s absence could very well be the difference between those two sides.

Portugal is a nation nobody should underestimate given some of its recent friendly results, but it is difficult seeing the A Selecção das Quinas having much of an effect on two powerhouses in their first World Cup. Due to the impossibility of predicting what the two newcomers are going to bring to this competition, it makes all the sense in the world to see two top-10 sides progressing to the Round of 16.

Nations to advance: United States, Netherlands

Group F: Brazil, France, Panama, Jamaica

Two countries with a population of less than 4.5 million make up half of Group F. Jamacia, led by one of the most feared strikers in the world, Khadija Shaw, have been there before in France four years ago. The other nation in Central America has never experienced what a competition like this is like. Through a second-half goal by Lineth Cedeño in an inter-confederation playoff against Paraguay, the Canal Girls punched their ticket to their first-ever World Cup.

Ignacio Quintana’s Panama takes on Brazil to begin the tournament, a nation that has finished in the top three of a World Cup twice in its history. Seeing two countries in the top eight of the FIFA rankings in your first World Cup is not the most ideal sight.

France, a side led by a new manager, are surrounded by far more positive energy than in late 2022. With veteran Wendie Renard wearing the armband and numerous world-class talents in the front line, the French have to be considered a team that can make a deep run. Pia Sundhage heads the Brazilians with the goal of getting back to where this team was in 2007.

Jamaica and the pure quality of Shaw should test both contenders, but ultimately the France and Brazil matchup on July 29 is going to decide who finishes first and second in Group F.

Nations to advance: Brazil, France