2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup draw: Group picks, predictions

The United States and England — the reigning world and European champions — are on course to meet in next year’s Women’s World Cup final in Sydney after being kept apart in the draw for the 2023 tournament, to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

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Vlatko Andonovski’s USWNT are aiming to become the first team in either the men’s or women’s game to win three successive World Cups, having emerged as champions in 2015 and 2019, but they face a battle to top Group E having been paired with Netherlands in a repeat of the final in Lyon, France, four years ago.

England, who beat Germany in the final of Euro 2022 at Wembley, could face co-hosts Australia in the round of 16 if they top Group D as expected, after being paired with China, Denmark and the winners of the Chile/Senegal/Haiti playoff path.

– 2023 Women’s World Cup full bracket and fixtures schedule

New Zealand will face 1995 world champions Norway in the opening game of the tournament at Eden Park, Auckland, on July 20, with Australia kicking off their campaign against Republic of Ireland at the Sydney Football Stadium later the same day.

In other stand-out pairings, France will meet Brazil in Group F, with Sweden and Italy pitched together in Group G.

How will it all play out? ESPN’s Marissa Lordanic (Groups A, B), Mark Ogden (Groups C, D), Sophie Lawson (Groups E, F) and Becky Thompson (Groups G, H) have assessed each group to predict the big games and the teams who will advance.

Jump to: Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H

GROUP A

New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Switzerland

If ever there was a time for New Zealand to nab their first-ever Women’s World Cup win, 2023 is surely it.