Women's World Cup 🏆

The world cup is officially here! This world cup is ready to break records, whether it is how many people watch the games, how many games are being streamed, or the shortest amount of sleep I have ever gotten: watching games at 10:30 pm and 3:00 am. I am more than ready for this World Cup. Whoever you are cheering for, whether it is the number one team going for the 3rd in a row and the second team (men’s or women’s) to have five World Cup titles, or the number 10 team, the co-hosts ready to show up with the best player in the world, Sam Kerr. I will insert her highlights here because she knows how the simplest touch can put the ball in the back of the net. And then she flips, literally, into the celebration.

The top five teams in the world are ready to prove why they are the team to beat the US, and I have to admit I am a little nervous. Just kidding, we have Sophia Smith, Alex Morgan, Crystal Dunn, Trinity Rodman, Megan Rapinoe, and Lindsay Horan. Oh wait, you need more people! Ok, I can give you some more: Rose Lavelle and Alyssa Thompson, who just graduated high school and was a top player on her professional team even before she graduated. The competition is fierce, but the US is even fiercer. Just so you know who the competitors are, I will give you a breakdown on the top 5.

Number 1- The USA, I don’t think you need to know much about them to understand why they are number 1. They are always dominant and I just listed some of the players on the team. But to give you more information, they have won four out of the eight women's world cup tournaments. So you know just causally half of the World Cups played the US has won. One of the star players, Trinity Rodman, has come to play. Yes, you might recognize the last name; her dad is Dennis Rodman, but he didn’t really get involved in her life until she started to become famous. So don’t connect her to her father too much. The US is the favorite to win the whole thing and personally, I just love watching them play with ease and grace. So I would love to see them hoist the trophy for a fifth time. And it is Megan Rapinoe's swan song, although you might not be seeing her as much on the pitch, her spirit is alive and well. So LFG USA!!

Number 2- Germany

Germany has won two world cups, one in 2003 and one in 2007. Since then they have been pretty consistent. Reaching at least the quarter-finals in the past couple of World Cups. In the 2019 WWC, they had a disappointing loss in the quarters to Sweden. They are hoping for a revenge tour this year to come back and win the whole thing. And because the US is always the best, Germany can count itself as number 1 compared to the rest of the world, it is the only spot that changes.

Number 3- Sweden

Sweden has been successful in the Olympics, making it to the finals in 2020 and beating the US in 2016. Sweden is roaring to do well in the World Cup and with their star Stina Blackstenius their odds to do well look pretty good.

Number 4- England After a somewhat controversial 2019 loss to the USWNT goals were called back for both teams. England looks hot. They won the Euro 2022, beating the top teams in the world. They have never gotten past the semi-finals at the World Cup, but have made it out of the group stage every tournament. They are missing a few key players: Jill Scott and Ellis White retired after the Euros win; Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby, and Beth Mead were injured. I wish them luck.

Number 5- France (Les Bleues)

France is ready to win, after finishing in the quarterfinals at their home world cup they are ready to have a comeback. France had an unfortunate loss to the US at the 2019 world cup held in France. Unfortunately for them, Megan Rapinoe was in the middle of a Twitter fight with Donald Trump and was ready to show the world that yes the US was going to win it all. France has a new manager and is ready to come back stronger than ever. Well, they are also missing a few stars to injury: Amandine Henry was just ruled out of the World Cup, she has had a year of injuries and unfortunately won’t be able to play; another star Katoto has been out since Euros 2022. This is difficult because she is one of the best strikers in the world. Les Bleues are hoping to win it all and I am hoping for the best for them.

I hope that this gave you a little extra insight into this world cup and already there have been some exciting moments. Nigeria and Canada tied 0-0, but Nigerian goalie Chiamaka Nnadozie saved not only a penalty by Christine Sinclair which you can watch here. If Christine Sinclair had scored she would have been the first player men’s or women’s to score in six world cups. New Zealand also notched their first world cup win, men’s or women’s, and it was just as epic as you think because they are co-hosting the tournament. It was incredible. Next up the US women are ready to get their quest for the three-peat started facing off against Vietnam. So LFG USA and let’s have a fun tournament.