2023 Women's World Cup Preview - Concacaf Edition

There are a record 6 Concacaf teams competing this year - exciting times for the region!

Women’s World Cup trophy (via FIFA)

By the time you’re reading this, host nations Australia and New Zealand have already opened up the World Cup with 1-0 wins. One of the only benefits of the 2022 Men’s World Cup being at year-end was that we now get another World Cup just 7 months later! This edition of the Women’s World Cup has the potential to be one of the most exciting yet. The tournament has expanded to 32 teams for the first time, leading to many nations making their debut (including 2 from Concacaf). This is also the biggest tournament so far for Concacaf as 6 teams from the region will be competing. Let’s dive into a preview of each of these teams!

United States

They come into the tournament as favorites and will seek their 3rd trophy in as many tournaments - if they are able to do that they will be the first men’s or women’s team to win 3 straight and they would tie the Brazilian men’s record of 5 total World Cups. A triumph this year will be a tough test - they are missing key players who would have played huge roles (Captain Becky Sauerbrunn, Mallory Swanson, and Catarina Macario to name a few).

This team is still coming into this tournament with a lot of confidence - there has been a lot of talk about “attacking” this World Cup and not “defending” their title. There are a lot of young rising stars like Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, and Alyssa Thompson in this team paired with World Cup champion veterans like Alex Morgan, Lindsey Horan, and Megan Rapinoe (who announced this will be her final World Cup). A lot of the ads prior to this tournament have showed “USA vs the World” and I think the USWNT is going to find they are in for a challenge in this edition.

• World Cup best finish: 4 championships (1991, 1999, 2015, 2019)

• World Cup group: Group D (Netherlands, Portugal, Vietnam) - while I expect the US to win this group, it isn’t going to come easily. They will face Netherlands, the team they beat in the 2019 final, along with two nations making their debut (Portugal and Vietnam). The USWNT should not expect their games against those two nations to be givens.

• Expectation: Reach the final - The expectations are always high for this team, and rightfully so. They have made it to the semifinals of every World Cup and made the final on 5 of those occasions. This team has the confidence and the quality to get back to the final despite the major injury trouble they have faced over the last year.

• Stretch goal: Win the title - The internal expectation is to win this tournament and complete the three-peat. I think if this team can find their best XI and a groove during the group stage, they will be almost impossible to beat down the stretch. They are going to score a lot of goals, but will they be able to keep clean sheets? If they can, it will likely be another title for them!

• Player to watch: Naomi Girma - Speaking of the defense…manager Vlatko Andonovski likely had the perfect plan for his back line. Pair the veteran and captain Sauerbrunn with the rising star, Naomi Girma. With the injury the Sauerbrunn, a lot of the pressure of this back line falls on Girma…and I think she is up for the challenge! This tournament will be an opportunity to show that she could be the anchor for this defense for the next decade! Check out this profile on her from My New Favorite Futbolista.

Canada

The defending Olympic champions come into this tournament under less than ideal circumstances. Canadian Soccer is currently facing a funding crisis and the team is still trying to negotiate a CBA with the federation. These issues contributed to a lack of friendlies leading into this tournament so it could take some time for this team to settle into the group stage. Despite all of these unwanted distractions, this is still a very good squad who has proven they can compete at the highest level. Will this be the year it translates over to the World Cup?

• World Cup best finish: 4th place (2003)

• World Cup group: Group B (Australia, Nigeria, Ireland) - This is not an easy group. They have Australia (the hosts), Nigeria (probably the best team in Africa), and Ireland who is a very good team despite their debut status. They won’t have to face Australia until their group finale, but they cannot afford to overlook their first two games.

• Expectation: Reach the quarterfinal - I expect Canada to get out of this group in either first or second place (depending on how their game against Australia goes and if Sam Kerr comes back from injury). After that, I think their quality and experience in knockout games will at least propel them to the quarterfinal.

• Stretch goal: Reach the final - If they can reach that quarterfinal, it will only take a few more big wins to get to the final (a game that has always alluded them). They were able to beat Brazil, USA, and Sweden en route to their Olympic title. Could they put together a similar run of form here?

• Player to watch: Jessie Fleming - It’s hard to believe Fleming is just 25 year old because she has been playing for Canada for a decade now (made her debut at 15). The Chelsea player scored goals in both the semifinals and finals of the 2020 Olympics and she will need to step up in big games here for Canada to reach new heights. She enters this tournament with some injury concerns and may miss a few group stage games. Check out this recent interview with CBC Sports.

Jamaica

The Reggae Girlz made their World Cup debut in 2019, and while it wasn’t the showing they wanted, it gave this team a solid foundation to build on. Unfortunately, this team has had to deal with a lack of support and funding from their federation ever since. Just after the 2019 World Cup, there was a dispute over a lack of World Cup payments. Players have taken to social media ahead of this competition to explain the situation and even crowdfunding for support. This is once again a far to common tale of federations neglecting the women’s teams financially and logistically. My hope is that this platform at the World Cup will bring more support for their cause and put pressure on the federation to make things right.

• World Cup best finish: Group stage (2019)

• World Cup group: Group F (France, Brazil, Panama) - There’s not getting around this…it’s a brutal group! Both France and Brazil will expect to compete into the deep stages of this tournament and Panama (fellow Concacaf nation) will be looking to make a statement in their debut. Navigating out of this group would take a herculean effort!

• Expectation: Finish 3rd in group - Despite the talent they have and the growth since the 2019 tournament, I think Jamaica are still not in a place to reach the knockout rounds. I think they will will likely beat Panama or at least get a draw which would be an improvement on their 3 losses in 2019.

• Stretch goal: Get a point off of France or Brazil - I mentioned the quality that this team has. If they can score multiple goals on either France or Brazil, they will have a shot at a draw. If they are able to grab a point from either of those teams, it would be a massive accomplishment!

• Player to watch: Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw - All eyes are on their captain, Bunny Shaw! She has scored 56 goals in just 38 caps for the Reggae Girlz. She is one of the premier attackers from the Concacaf region and has made a name for herself in Europe. She scored 31 goals in all competitions for Manchester City this past season and she is coming into the tournament on fire. If the team can get the ball to her feet in the box, or in the air (as she is 6-foot), she will likely score a few goals. Check out this feature from BBC Sport.

Costa Rica

Las Ticas had an impressive showing at the 2015 World Cup. Although they didn’t make it out of the group, they were able to get draws off of both Spain and South Korea before narrowly losing to Brazil in the final game. It was disappointing to miss out on the 2019 edition, but now they are back! Their goal in this tournament will be to go beyond where they were in 2015 but it will be a tough task. They are leaving some key veterans at home for this tournament, including their captain from 2015, Shirley Cruz (who is arguably their greatest player of all time).

• World Cup best finish: Group Stage (2015)

• World Cup group: Group C (Spain, Zambia, Japan) - As mentioned, this is a tough group but one that leaves the door open enough for potential advancement. Las Ticas will have a chance against favorite's Spain again along with Japan who won the 2011 World Cup. The Zambian team that rounds out their group shouldn’t be overlooked despite their debut status.

• Expectation: Finish 3rd in group - I’m not sure this team can repeat the successes of the 2015 squad. My concern is that they won’t score enough goals. I think the matchup versus Spain is going to be a very tough opener followed by another one against Japan. By the time they get to the Zambia game, it will likely be a must-win - not ideal.

• Stretch goal: Advance from the group - This group is one of the most exciting in my opinion. If they can get a point off of Spain (as they did in 2015) I think they will be able to advance from this group. It would give them the confidence they need going into tough games against Japan and Zambia (which they will desperately need). 4 points might be the magic number to advance…but they will need goals in the event of a tiebreaker.

• Player to watch: Raquel Rodriguez - In order for the team to find success in this tournament, their star will need to rise to the occasion. She has scored 50 goals for Las Ticas (including the equalizer against Spain in 2015). She has the quality and the experience to lead this team. Oh and fun fact, she was the first Central American player to appear in the Australian W-League during her time with Perth Glory. Maybe that experience in the host country will pay off if they can make the knockout round! Check out this feature from Telemundo Deportes.

Haiti

Les Grenadières are making their World Cup debut. They had to qualify for this tournament via the inter-confederation playoff back in February where they beat both Senegal and Chile (highlights below). On tops of those wins, they recently played South Korea to tight 2-1 loss in a friendly. This is a very promising season for Haitian soccer on the men’s and women’s sides and they will have a lot of support back home. Despite their debut status, I think this team will show some glimpses of what we can expect for the future, and my hope is that this tournament will continue to propel the women’s game forward in Haiti!

• World Cup best finish: Debut

• World Cup group: Group D (England, China, Denmark) - There’s no way around it, Haiti are not favored to get out of this group. Despite injuries, England come into this tournament as favorites, while both China and Denmark are teams ranked inside the top 15. I don’t think Haiti are going to be intimidated by this group and I think these other teams are going to find that Les Grenadières are going to be tough competition.

• Expectation: Scoring multiple goals - In the past, we have seen debut teams come in and get shut out consistently but I don’t think that happens to Haiti. They have so much firepower, including multiple players who score consistently in the French league. If losses come, I don’t think it will be due to a lack of goals.

• Stretch goal: Getting one win - Because of the attacking threats mentioned, this team has the opportunity to get at least a point in their debut tournament. If their backline can hold either China or Denmark to a clean sheet or one goal, they’ll have a chance at 3 points.

• Player to watch: Nérilia Mondésir - She is the captain and and offensive motor for this team and I think she is going to have a big moment at this World Cup! The Montpellier forward scored in the first round of the inter-confederation playoff and was the lone goal scorer in their warmup friendly against South Korea.

Panama

Las Canaleras are the other debut nation from Concacaf and also qualified for this tournament via the inter-confederation playoff after wins over Papua New Guinea and Paraguay. Despite a lack of world superstar players and World Cup experience, this team has a lot of belief. Manager, Ignacio Quintana has been at the helm since 2021 and has played a key part in fighting for equality between the men’s and women’s team in Panama. Seeing another Central American team make their World Cup debut is a huge step for Concacaf and this team will continue to add to the momentum that Panamanian soccer is currently experiencing. Just being at this World Cup is already a huge success!

• World Cup best finish: Debut

• World Cup group: Group F (France, Brazil, Jamaica) - As stated above in the Jamaica preview, this is just a brutal group. Having to face both France and Brazil in one group is as difficult as it gets and their other game will be a faceoff against a familiar Concacaf foe in Jamaica.

• Expectation: Get a draw - If Panama play their best game, they may just be able to get a draw off of Jamaica. If the team can come out of this tournament with a point in their group, that will be a success!

• Stretch goal: Finish 3rd in group - Las Canaleras are not coming into this tournament in the best form (7-0 loss to Spain and a 5-0 loss to Japan). Despite the results, they have fresh experience against top competition, similar to what they will face in this tournament. If they can get a miraculous point off of France or Brazil or a win against Jamaica, they could avoid finishing at the bottom of the group.

• Player to watch: Marta Cox - The Pachuca midfielder is the star for her country and has been a fan favorite since her debut as a teenager! She is going to be a crucial factor in any success that they have at this tournament. As her team celebrated their qualification at the inter-confederation playoff, Marta broke down in tears. She tragically lost her mother just a few months prior and it was her mother’s dream to see her play in a World Cup. Please check out more of her story below on a great feature piece from My New Favorite Futbolista.

How to watch

• English: Fox, FS1, and Fox Sports (stream)

• Spanish: Telemundo, Peacock (stream)

For readers based in the US and Latin America, the kickoff times for some of these games will be difficult. If you miss any games, be sure to check out the highlights from Telemundo Deportes or Fox Soccer (click for links to the YouTube pages). Below are the Concacaf group-stage games that are have reasonable kick-off times. All times below are Eastern Time (ET). I have bolded the game I will be most interested in for each team.

Canada: vs Nigeria (7/20 at 10pm), vs Ireland (7/26 at 8am), vs Australia (7/31 at 6am)

USA: vs Vietnam (7/21 at 9pm), vs Netherlands (7/26 at 9pm)

Haiti: vs England (7/22 at 5:30am), vs China (7/28 at 7am), vs Denmark (8/1 at 7am)

Jamaica: vs France (7/23 at 6am), vs Panama (7/29 at 8:30am), vs Brazil (8/2 at 6am)

Panama: vs Brazil (7/24 at 7am), vs Jamaica (7/29 at 8:30am), vs France (8/2 at 6am)

Costa Rica: unfortunately all of their games are between 1am and 3am kickoffs ET, I know Las Ticas fans will be watching, but for the general Concacaf fan make sure to at least check out the highlights!

There is nothing quite like celebrating the beautiful game in a tournament that brings in teams and fans from around the globe. This World Cup has an opportunity to be a further catalyst for the sport in the Concacaf region. The USWNT and Canada have their sights set on lifting the trophy. Jamaica and Costa Rica are looking to build on the foundations they laid in their first world cups (2019 and 2015 respectively). Having the debuts of Haiti and Panama will hopefully inspire other Central American and Caribbean countries to continue investing in and developing the sport. This is going to be must-watch action! Stay tuned for matchday reviews along with other relevant stories during this World Cup!