New Zealand
With the home crowd cheering them on, it would be great to see the Football Ferns win their first match against Norway. I’d be thrilled to see them reach the last 16. It’s so exciting to see the ripple effect this tournament is already having on women and girls participating in football more widely – both in Australia and New Zealand.
The media coverage of women’s football has also improved massively. The focus is now mostly on the players’ on-field achievements rather than their personal lives or what they wear. The potential for this tournament is huge. Danene
View image in fullscreenNew Zealand celebrate a goal during their recent friendly match against Vietnam at McLean Park in Napier, New Zealand. Photograph: Kerry Marshall/Getty Images
Norway
Having had to go through a bit of a rebuild after the disastrous performances at Euro 2022, I expect them to survive the group stage – but not go much further than that. Sander
View image in fullscreenNorway’s Frida Leonardsen Maanum (left) celebrates after scoring a last gasp equaliser against Sweden in a 3-3 friendly at Gamle Ullevi in Gothenburg. Photograph: NTB/Alamy
Philippines
For us, just being at the tournament is something of a miracle given the state of the game in our country. If we score a goal or two, kept a clean sheet, or managed to get at least one point, that would be another miracle. If we win one match, that would be an even greater one.
Our key player is defender Angela Beard. She has previously played in Denmark before transferring to Australian team Western United where she has become a vital player for them at the back. She’ll be even more vital for the Philippines. Chino
View image in fullscreenAngela Beard of Western United looks on during an A-League Women’s match against Brisbane Roar at Perry Park in March. Photograph: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
Switzerland
We haven’t been in the greatest form under coach, Inka Grings, and are still finding our feet in this era. The opening match against the Philippines will be an indication of where we are, and we’ll relish the chance to play against co-hosts New Zealand. Reaching the knockout stage is the expectation, making it to the quarter-finals would be a dream.
Euro 2022 was underwhelming. We absolutely could have reached the knockout stages and competed with Sweden and Netherlands in our group, but a lack of concentration and clinical finishing was our downfall. This summer is a chance to set the record straight.
Lia Wälti is the captain of the team and her return from injury is crucial. We are a totally different team without her. The experienced heads of Ramona Bachmann and Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic will nicely complement rising star Alisha Lehmann in attack, though cohesion will be key if we want to get on the scoresheet. Watch out for Coumba Sow in midfield, looking to build on her impressive Euros campaign last summer, and Gaëlle “Gaga” Thalmann, this being the veteran goalkeeper’s last dance before she hangs up her gloves after the World Cup. Nischal
View image in fullscreenLia Wälti will be crucial to Switzerland’s chances of having a decent tournament. Photograph: Zuma Press/Alamy
Australia
The head says semi-finals is probably the expected result but the heart says we go all the way with the nation behind us. The ticket sales and advertising already make it seem like we have what could be a landmark event in store for the world, one that moves the needle for the women’s game even further.
This will surely be striker Sam Kerr’s tournament – Australia’s GOAT. Cream rises to the top and I’m not the only one who expects her to be the Golden Boot winner. James
View image in fullscreenMary Fowler of the Matildas (centre) celebrates scoring a goal during a the friendly against France at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne last Friday. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP
Canada
It depends on whoever we meet after getting through the group stage. If we draw the right opposition in the last 16, I’m expecting an improvement on our 2019 World Cup performance when Sweden proved too strong in the second round. We are the reigning Olympic champions though, so who knows? Callum
View image in fullscreenSweden’s Stina Blackstenius breaks Canada’s hearts after scoring the winner in their second round match at the 2019 Women’s World Cup at Parc des Princes. Photograph: Marianna Massey/Fifa/Getty Images
Nigeria
We reached the last 16 at the 2019 tournament despite comfortably losing to Norway and France. I really expect them to perform better this time around and go further.
Keep an eye out for Asisat Oshoala. The Barcelona forward will be key for Nigeria up front. Olalekan
View image in fullscreenAsisat Oshoala of Nigeria poses for a portrait. Photograph: Chris Hyde/Fifa/Getty Images
Republic of Ireland
Going into our first ever World Cup against both the hosts and the Olympic champions, we’re watching on in hope rather than expectation. Making our way into the knockout stages would be an incredible achievement for us.|
What we do expect from this team, is what they’ve always given us. This squad has never faltered once for effort or commitment. Whether it’s in Tallaght or in front of 75,000 in Sydney, the ability to fight to the very end has always been clear.
Arguably our greatest ever men’s team got to a World Cup quarter-final because of these attributes and as Irish supporters this is all we ever ask from our sides.
Katie McCabe is Ireland’s superstar. She’s just a joy to watch every time she steps out in the pitch and personifies everything great about this team. Oisín
View image in fullscreenRepublic of Ireland’s Katie McCabe gives a thumbs up during a training session at the Tallaght Stadium, Dublin on Wednesday July 7, 2023. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA
Japan
Japan should be one of the favourites to advance from Group C. I expect us to beat both Costa Rica and Zambia, so Spain will be our strongest rivals. But the Spanish team are still recovering from a conflict between their coach and the players, which has been going on since last September, so they might still not be at their best. The Japanese team could defeat them if we take our chances – the solidarity within our squad will be as strong as ever.
I am looking forward to seeing attacking midfielder Yui Hasegawa. Currently at Manchester City, she is a highly experienced player. She’s the closest we have to a playmaker with her quick movement and accurate passing. She’ll be joined by West Ham’s Risa Shimizu, another very exciting player. Eiko
View image in fullscreenYui Hasegawa (right) fights for the ball during a training session in Makuhari, Chiba prefecture earlier this month. Photograph: Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP/Getty Images
Spain
I think Spain will put on a great show. Women’s football in Spain is getting stronger and stronger. The continuing growth of Liga F is bringing more quality to our game and that will be very apparent in this competition.
I want Alexia Putellas to have a great tournament after all the injury struggles she has been through. She’s our best player. But also, since I am a Real Madrid fan, I can’t wait to see the exciting young forward Athenea del Castillo on the big stage. Miriam
View image in fullscreenAlexia Putellas could have a very strong tournament. Photograph: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Denmark
My expectations for the Danish team is to get out of the group. Denmark are in a transitional phase and might not invest as heavily in women’s football as other countries, so I am a bit anxious to see how we fit in at this World Cup. But qualifying second in the group would be expected, if all goes well.
The players I’m most excited to see are Pernille Harder, Josefine Hasbo, Nicoline Sørensen and Janni Thomsen. Amalie
View image in fullscreenDenmark will hope to get out of a group that includes England and China. Photograph: James Whitehead/SPP/Shutterstock
England
Brutally my expectations are low(ish). Despite the success of last summer, and it was a true and golden success, we are without two of our key players who made such a huge impact last year – Leah Williamson and Beth Mead. Missing our top goalscorer and captain is probably going to alter England’s final outcome.
When it comes down to it, you need luck to win a tournament (and we certainly had some extremely lucky moments last year) as well as talent and, this year, it feels like the cards are stacked against us. I’d consider reaching the semi-finals a success. But in reality I think we might go out in the quarter-finals – probably against Australia. Christie
View image in fullscreenCan Lauren James (left) and England match their incredible Euro 2022 success with key players out injured? Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images
Netherlands
Modestly, I think we’ll reach the last 16. The Dutch women were on an upwards trajectory under Sarina Wiegman, but the uninspired appointment of her successor, Mark Parsons, was a big mistake.
After a disappointingly inconsistent Euro 2022 showing, Parsons has since been replaced with the more likeable and experienced Andries Jonker, who worked alongside Louis van Gaal for years.
But we have a long way to go to the days when only the USA could beat us (Euro 2017, World Cup 2019, Tokyo Olympics). Losing Vivianne Miedema through an ACL injury hasn’t helped.
USA are favourites to win our group and Portugal are a potential banana skin. But finishing second in the group is doable and it would mean possibly facing an under-par Sweden in the first knockout round. Win that and the draw could open up nicely for us. Eric
View image in fullscreenJill Roord and Sherida Spitse celebrate a goal against Sweden during Euro 2022 at Bramall Lane. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Uefa/Getty Images
USA
My expectation is to make at least the semi-final. But another World Cup win is the ultimate goal.
In the past people have said the two best team’s in the world are the USA’s first team and the USA’s second team. I don’t think that is true anymore, but that adage will definitely be tested with the squad being beset by so many injuries, both short and long-term; Becky Sauerbrunn, Catarina Macario, Mal Swanson, Sam Mewis and Christen Press are all missing.
Despite the injuries, we can field an extremely strong squad with plenty of young talent like Sophia Smith. I think that makes us third favourites behind Germany and England.
A special mention should go to midfielder Julie Ertz. Returning from an injury and the birth of her son, she is a destroyer in the best sense of the term. A suitable replacement was never found, so her surprising return was a godsend. Chris
View image in fullscreenUSA players Savannah DeMelo, Julie Ertz and Alyssa Thompson cheer after an international friendly against Wales earlier this month. Photograph: Brad Smith/USSF/Getty Images for USSF
Vietnam
I hope we’ll score at least a goal against the USA or the Netherlands and manage a draw against Portugal. That would be enough for me because I know we have no chance of advancing to the knockout stage.
If we were to score a goal, it would be a surprise not to see Huynh Nhu on the scoresheet. She has won five Vietnamese Golden Balls and is our star player. Binh
View image in fullscreenVietnam’s Nhu Huynh, Thi Hai Linh Tran and Thi Loan Hoang celebrate after beating Myanmar at the Southeast Asian Games in May. Photograph: Chalinee Thirasupa/Reuters
France
I’m hoping that with our new coach, Hervé Renard, we can go further than in 2019, when the US proved too strong for us in the quarter-finals. The last eight has been our limit in the past, but hopefully this time we can go further.
I’m worried about injuries affecting some of our most important players. I hope Renard can build a strong team and find some team spirit that has been severely lacking in the past. There needs to be a game plan for next year, when we’ll be playing in the Olympics as hosts. Sophia
View image in fullscreenFrance hope to impress having rekindled team their spirit. Photograph: Maddie Meyer/Fifa/Getty Images
Panama
When Panama qualified via the inter-confederation playoffs earlier this year, I was very proud. Football is not even the main sport in our country and accomplishing this qualification is a victory by itself.
My expectations are exactly as when the men’s team qualified for the 2018 World Cup: to show good spirit of competition, not to concede many goals, and be able to celebrate a goal scored.
Playing against France and Brazil are big tasks. My biggest hope is that this team receives recognition back home and inspires a generation of young girls to emulate the feat of these women – not just in football but in any sports disciplines. Alexia
View image in fullscreenPanama players pose for a team group before their crucial victory in the inter-confederation playoff against Paraguay at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand – February 23, 2023 Photograph: David Rowland/Reuters
Argentina
The earthly expectation of this Argentina team is to win their first game in World Cup history. After that we can hope that this win will be enough to advance into the knockout stages. Andres
View image in fullscreenTazuni, the official Women’s World Cup mascot poses with players of Argentina after an open training session earlier this month in Auckland. Photograph: Phil Walter/Fifa/Getty Images
Colombia
I’m optimistic. Nelson Abadía, who has been the Colombian women’s coach since 2017, has put together a very strong group over the last six years. Progress has been steady and participation in tournaments should now become a regular thing.
Despite being in a strong group with Germany as the favourites, I think Colombia will qualify to the second round – as group winners!
Real Madrid forward Linda Caicedo’s performances will be vital. Our defence is usually strong, giving us a platform to push on and get the results we need. Miguel
View image in fullscreenColombia’s forward Linda Caicedo eyes the ball during a training session in Bogota earlier this month. Photograph: Raúl Arboleda/AFP/Getty Images
South Korea
Our goal is to advance to the quarter-finals. But there are things more important than performance. Women’s football is not a popular sport in Korea. I hope this World Cup will serve as an opportunity for the popularity of women’s football to increase in the country.
I look forward to seeing Choo Hyo-joo. She is a great player who can play multiple positions. She is fast and technical – and a potential star of this tournament. Kim
View image in fullscreenChoo Hyo-joo makes a sliding tackle to win the ball from Nerilia Mondesir of Haiti during a recent friendly at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul, South Korea, 08 July 2023. Photograph: Seokyong Lee/Penta Press/Shutterstock
