Fansided

3 dark horse candidates to make a magical run to Women’s World Cup title

By Caden Charpentier

DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 1: Jill Roord of Holland Women (R) celebrates 0-7 with Stefanie van der Gragt of Holland Women during the World Cup Women match between Vietnam Woman v Holland Women at the Dunedin Stadium on August 1, 2023 in Dunedin New Zealand (Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images)
DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 1: Jill Roord of Holland Women (R) celebrates 0-7 with Stefanie van der Gragt of Holland Women during the World Cup Women match between Vietnam Woman v Holland Women at the Dunedin Stadium on August 1, 2023 in Dunedin New Zealand (Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
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ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 24: Ariadina Borges of Brazil (L) celebrating her goal with her teammate Debora De Oliveira of Brazil (R) during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group F match between Brazil and Panama at Hindmarsh Stadium on July 24, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Noemi Llamas/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 24: Ariadina Borges of Brazil (L) celebrating her goal with her teammate Debora De Oliveira of Brazil (R) during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group F match between Brazil and Panama at Hindmarsh Stadium on July 24, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Noemi Llamas/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) /

Other than the top contenders like England, the United States, and Spain, there are plenty of nations that have the tools to lift the Women’s World Cup title. 

Before we dive deep into the potential contenders that have the ability to make a run to the pinnacle of women’s football, we have the define who these “other contenders” or “dark horses” are.

To qualify to be a “dark horse” in this case, you have to be a country out of the top-seven on the current bet365 odds. Much of it depends on the countries’ knockout stage matchups and the form each one has been in so far during this tournament.

Here are three nations to keep an eye on that may not be considered among the leading candidates.

2023 Women’s World Cup dark horses: Brazil

Right out of the gate, this nation demonstrated its true colors. Brazil’s display against Panama may have produced some of the most stunning goals of this tournament to date. The South American juggernaut followed that up with a defeat to the French where the backline somehow lost Wendie Renard on a set-piece late in the game.

Though this team is just one defeat away from elimination, if it reaches the Round of 16, few nations will want to see the Brazilians.

With Pia Sundhage leading the way, the defending Copa America champions have the right leader to hoist the trophy in a few weeks. In addition to the team’s attacking talent that includes the likes of NWSL’s Debinha, and Kerolin, that motivation to win it for Marta is something that cannot go unnoticed. The 37-year-old has to be considered one of the greatest women’s footballers of all time.

She led her nation to second place at the World Cup in 2007, and with this being officially her final one, it would only be fitting like Lionel Messi to go out on top. If the defense can limit miscommunication and lapses in the penalty area, winning this world competition is very much in the cards.

The Brazilians can not look past a gritty Jamaican team on Wednesday in Melbourne. There is still a task to be done by Sundhage’s side, but if it is completed, the reality is the talent is there to contend with the leading contenders.