The United States is aiming for a third title in a row. World Cup today. The gap between the top contenders has narrowed markedly, and more teams than ever before have a realistic chance of becoming world champions.
It was clear from one half of the draw that either Spain or the reigning US champions would make it to the final. But on the other hand, the drawing is a completely different matter – this is a lottery.
Australia
From their half of the draw, whoever makes it to the final will have to do two things: stay healthy and knock them out. The host country always has an advantage because almost 100 percent of the fans will support this team. And this Australian team with Sam Kerr and Caitlin Furd is really dangerous.
Brazil
Despite being probably one of the most underfunded teams, Brazil can fluctuate comfortably between a 4-4-2 system and a 3-defensive system and have leaders in every lane; from Rafael Sousa to Carolyn and Debigny, they have world class talent and can beat anyone in their day. The question is, can they do it consistently?
Canada
English coach Bev Priestman's team proved at the Olympics that in a tournament, if you can defend well, you can win it. Canada may not be as productive offensively, but defensively – although they were blown to pieces the last time they played the US – they have a pretty solid group.
England
As reigning European champions, the Lionesses cannot be ruled out, but they need games behind them and some momentum. They can't afford to lose more players. England, like Germany, have proven to be regular semi-finalists in top competitions, having reached at least the semi-finals in their last four competitions.
The Lionesses are participating in the tournament as European champions, but have suffered injuries. Photo: PA/Jonathan Brady France
This French team lacks a striker, without Paris Saint-Germain's Marie Antoinette Catoto, but they have an outstanding coach in Herve Renard, who I think organized the team even better. For this reason, I still think that France will be a competitive force.
Germany
The German team, which finished second in the Euro last summer, is now a year wiser thanks to this experience and I think they've probably gotten better from it. However, I still think it's probably two years ahead of schedule for Germany. I think their Euro 2025 prospects are another story.
Japan
Japan has been exceptional this year at the SheBelieves Cup. They have so many talents, from Manchester City's Yui Hasegawa to Aoba Fujino on the right and young Maika Hamano, who I consider a bright talent, as well as Jun Endo and Fuka Nagano. The team believes in the work they have done over the past four years.
Spain
They are still a brilliant team but they have lost two incredible players in Mapi Leon and Patri Guijarro. If they had these two Down Unders, I would put them in my favorites. This is their time, they must fight to win it. If they beat the US on their side of the draw, I think they will. They beat them in friendly football, but tournament football is different.
Germany enter the tournament as one of the favorites, with top-notch talents like Alexandra Popp up for the challenge. Credit: AFP/Christof Stache Sweden
No one talks about Sweden, but I think they have a very clear identity, a very clear style of play. They have been with their coach Peter Gerhardsson long enough to know what is expected of them. They have experience in offensive zones and for this reason they will always be in and around it. They are also very stable at the back.
Netherlands
Winners of Euro 2017 and runners-up at the last World Cup four years ago, the Netherlands have quality talent all over the field, but they only have a year under manager Andris Jonker. Daphne van Domselaer has been a rising star at the Euros and Victoria Pelova is a fine talent for them.
United States
The holders claim the third title in a row and have the highest power in depth. As you get deeper into the tournament, you need to keep everyone in shape. If we were to look at which team has the best roster depth, you have to look at the USA because they have so many offensive talents on the bench. Plus, they're the queens of tournament football.
So what does England need to do to win?
Of course, the Lionesses' injury list has been much discussed and it's undeniable that Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby and Beth Meade are huge loss.
But the less said about their absence, the better for the England team. Sarina Wigman's team must work out a plan with the players they have. And let's be clear: there is still enough talent in this team to keep England extremely dangerous, threatening and competitive.
They have three nines who have all been in good shape – Rachel Daly, Bethany England and Alessia Russo — and they have Lauren James, who can play on the right or inside. They have incredible wingers in Manchester City duo Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly and have been prolific from set pieces. In tournament football, set pieces are crucial.
Chloe Kelly and Lauren James will play an important role in the England team. Image Credit & Copyright: Getty Images/Naomi Baker
England haven't scored in their last two games. They don't look as threatening ahead as they did this time last year, and they've just lost some form, but they haven't become a bad team overnight. What they need now is a little momentum: they need to spend time together, play for minutes, and I have no doubt that they will find the rhythm they need.
Rhythm gives you confidence, and confidence gives you victory. Now England needs games. The warm-up game was decisive, despite the 0-0 result against Portugal. They haven't played as a team since April and they need to pick up the pace.
It seems to me that group games – against Haiti, Denmark, and then China – should be used as an opportunity to build this momentum. They need to get together quickly, and for that they have a great group. They can win games, gain momentum and be competitive to get to the final stages. I really think they will win Group D.
Who will be the Lionesses' first choice ninth?
Part of that rhythm may also come out in figuring out who will be the top No. 9. England has three strong candidates, and they are all very different.
Either Daly or Russo have started in this position since the Euros and they are both good enough to start and both good enough to create a threat off the bench instead. The new Arsenal signing Rousseau proved against the substitute Portugal that they are indeed a good player coming off the bench.
There are tactical reasons why each of them is suitable for playing against different opponents. When you play against a higher level team, I think Aston Villa's Daley is better suited to stretch the game behind. She was the top scorer in the Women's Super League with 22 goals in 22 games last season. When you play against a bot lane defense, I think Russo is better at connecting on the sides and breaking off the shoulders from behind.
Rachel Daley is Sarina Wigman's No. 9 choice after her great season in the WSL. Photo: Getty Images/Naomi Baker
On top of that, they have England who in the second half of this season proved they have adapted to career and club changes and are still prolific with 12 goals in 12 WSL appearances for Tottenham so we shouldn't discount . her. She did it mostly on the counter team and she offers the most in counter form.
It's great that the Lionesses have such different options. It will depend on what Sarina Wigman is looking for. Haiti first in Brisbane next Saturday and then Denmark and China are all very, very different games.
I suspect that Sarina will pick Daly in the starting lineup and take Russo off the bench. We are talking about the strategy for the first part of the game and the strategy for the second part of the game. But England will need all their depth because they don't look like they have the same forward edge as the euro.
At the home front, stability is more important than staff. They should get a stable back four. I think Jess Carter, who has started in five of the last six games, will play as a centre-back and so I think it will be Alex Greenwood, Carter, Millie Bright and Lucy Bronze from left to right. This is probably the most balanced back four, although Greenwood and Carter can switch places at any time.
Can this England team win the World Cup? Yes. They are European champions. However, things will have to go differently for them because it is not on home soil, but they are capable of going all the way in what is shaping up to be the closest battle to being world champions that we have. seen.
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