Ranking the top five favourites to win FIFA Women's World Cup 2023

The USA are the reigning champions

Australia and New Zealand are set to host the biggest FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament ever, as 32 teams are battle-ready for the global showpiece starting on July 20. It is the first time the tournament will have more than 24 teams competing for the global prize in women's football, as the sport continues to grow worldwide.

The United States are the reigning champions, having won the World Cup in 2015 and 2019. They will seek to win it for the third time in a row. They are certainly the team to beat, but quite a few other strong units will fancy their chances at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.

Here are the top five nations that are favourites to win this prestigious trophy:

5. England

England go into the World Cup as reigning European champions following last summer's Euro 2022 triumph. That comes with huge expectations, but the team is already substantially different just a year later, and their final three games before this summer's tournament haven't shown convincing form.

However, injuries to important players like Beth Mead, Leah Williamson, and Fran Kirby will be a huge blow. But in Sarina Weigman, they have an immensely successful manager, and the likes of Ella Toone, Chloe Kelly, Lucy Bronze, and Alessio Russo rein in plenty of hope.

4. Sweden

Sweden are one of the traditional powerhouses of women's international football and consistently performs well at tournaments, reaching the semi-finals or better in each of their most recent appearances at the World Cup, European Championships, and Olympics.

The Swedes have also played in a World Cup final (2003) and have finished third on three separate occasions (1991, 2011, and 2019). That being said, they haven't gotten over the line since the inaugural Euros back in 1984. There is an element of this being now or never for Sweden. A significant proportion of the squad is in their late twenties or early thirties, and this could be the last major tournament for a number of them.

3. Australia

The potential for the Australian squad is limitless because of its roster of elite athletes, including Sam Kerr, Ellie Carpenter, and Caitlin Foord, as well as the encouragement of their home crowd. Their 2-0 win over England in an international friendly in April highlighted their ability to pull an upset over the strongest teams in the world.

They have a host of injury concerns, and they will need to manage their resources efficiently to go all the way.

2. Germany

The rest of Europe has caught up with Germany when it comes to international football, having previously won six European Championships in a row from 1995 until 2013. But they still had enough about them to reach the Euro 2022 final and be very much in it all the way through extra time.

Players like Lena Oberdorf, Lea Schuller, Alexandra Popp, and Jule Brand are all expected to play key roles. Germany will be hungry and vying to make a mark at the tournament. This is a team that cannot be written off, and it would come as no surprise if they reached the summit of women's football this summer. This is still a German squad packed full of experience at the highest level without being considered an ageing team. It is a perfect balance.

1. United States of America

The USA are the odds-on favourite to win the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. If they do that, they will make it three World Cups in a row, and that will elevate their status as the most dominant force in the history of women's football. It will be something of a new-look squad at this World Cup, with the likes of Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman and 18-year-old Alyssa Thompson among those going to a World Cup for the first time.

The iconic Alex Morgan, Kelley O'Hara and Megan Rapinoe will also make a final bid for glory at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.