The FIFA Women’s World Cup starts next week in Australia and New Zealand with one clear favorite.
Team USA.
It is a safe and easy choice to rock chalk with USA, who are +225 to win the whole thing, according to Caesars Sportsbook. The Americans are attempting to win a fifth World Cup championship with an unprecedented three-peat. It will also be the final World Cup for star Megan Rapinoe and the first time we will see young faces such as Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Alyssa Thompson take the pitch on the sport’s biggest stage.
And that could be trouble for Team USA.
When the roster came out, there were a lot of familiar names left off because of injuries: Becky Sauerbrunn, Mallory Swanson, Tobin Heath and Christen Press. Not having those players creates a lack of chemistry, because new players will be coming into a system many have spent years in.
Also, depending on how deep in the tournament the USA will go, the team will rely on players like Alex Morgan, Crystal Dunn, Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle a lot more, which could make them tired sooner, especially if coach Vlatko Andonovski is playing this World Cup with a short rotation. The World Cup is a long tournament, and preserving the legs of top players for the finals will be key.
Other contenders
Germany +700
FIFA has Germany ranked No. 2 in the World behind Team USA. The Germans won the World Cup back-to-back in 2003 and 2007. They are close but can’t quite reach the top of the mountain and will want to prove themselves on the world stage.
Canada +2500
The Canadian team shocked the USA in the Olympics 1-0 in the semifinal round in 2021. While they have not done well in friendlies, Canada might have the experience to advantage of the youth and tight play that Team USA has.
World Cup Finals prediction: United States 2, Germany 1
2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup odds
USA +225
England +450
Spain +600
Germany +700
France +900
Australia +1200
Sweden +1400
Netherlands +1800
Canada +2500
Brazil +2500
Japan +300
Norway +6500
Denmark +8000
South Korea +10000
Portugal +10000
Italy +15000
New Zealand +15000
China +15000
Colombia +1500
Haiti +20000
Ireland +20000
Switzerland +25000
Zambia +30000
Argentina +30000
South Africa +50000
Costa Rica +50000
Jamaica +50000
Nigeria +75000
Morocco +75000
Vietnam +100000
Panama +100000
Philippines +100000
