Best bets
USA @ 5/2
England @ 5/1
Spain @ 5/1
Germany @ 8/1
WHO?
Alessia Russo (Striker)
The super-sub who captured the nation’s heart, she scored four goals during last summer’s Euro success and is set for a starting role with Ellen White’s retirement clearing the way for her to claim the number nine shirt.
Keira Walsh (Midfielder)
An anchor at the heart of the England midfield, Walsh sets the tempo for her teammates with her poise on the ball and eye for a pass making her an irreplaceable cog in the machine.
Lucy Bronze (Right-back)
Lucy Bronze is a stalwart of the game who has enjoyed success all over Europe and Stateside. Her return from injury is a huge boost to the Lioness’ chances and her ability to step into midfield from right back is key to England’s ability to dominate possession.
Lauren James (Winger)
Described as a “cheat code”, James has been destined for the top since making her debut for Arsenal as a fifteen-year-old. Like her brother she is blessed with bags of pace and power and can play on either flank.
WHEN?
England vs Haiti
Sat 22nd July 10:30am
England vs Denmark
Fri 28th July 9:30am
China vs England
Tues 1st August 12:00am
All 33 BBC live matches will be streamed on iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app. There will also be short highlights of all 64 matches available to watch at full-time.
WHERE?
This year’s tournament will be held in Australia and New Zealand making it the first-ever co-hosted Women’s World Cup.
The tournament starts on July 20th with the final taking place on August 20th in Sydney at the Accor Stadium.
RIVALS
Without England’s big-name absentees they would almost certainly be favourites to win this tournament.
As always, the USA represent a massive threat. They have won four of the last eight World Cups and are a team that always finds a way, but they have injury problems to contend with Becky Sauerbrunn another victim of the ACL pandemic.
Spain come into the tournament with their domestic football scene thriving. Barcelona Femini is clearly the destination for the best of Europe’s talent, but they will be without three of Barca’s champions league winning players after fifteen regulars walked away from the national team in protest against the head coach Jorge Vilda.
With the mutineers exiled, Vilda has reshaped the team around a young and hungry group who are all pulling in the same direction. They have the boost of Alexia Putellas returning from injury after being cruelly denied her chance to play at the Euros with an ACL injury.
Germany should never be discounted, and after losing their way slightly with quarter final defeats at the Euros in 2017 and 2019 World Cup, the mood within their camp is one of quiet confidence they can go all the way. They will have the rapturous support of millions back home with 18 million tuning in to watch the Euros final last summer – more than watched the men’s team in the group stages in Qatar.
Lastly, the Matildas. The co-hosts this year, they are spearheaded by Chelsea superstar Sam Kerr. It was Kerr who missed the decisive spot kick when Australia crashed out in 2019 and her message at the time was: “we’ll be back”.
WATCH OUT FOR
1. Alexia Putellas
Two-time Ballon d’Or winner and known in Spain as “La Reina” (the queen), Putellas is the archetypal Spanish midfield genius.
2. Sam Kerr
A physical and robust presence at the top of the pitch, at 29 Kerr is already a modern-day legend.
3. Ada Hegeberg
A ruthless striker in the mould of her fellow countryman Erling Haaland, she is a clinical opportunist with a knack for finding space in the penalty area.
For all your bets on the Women’s World Cup, visit our dedicated football betting page.
