The highly-anticipated 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is finally upon us! The 32 best soccer nations from across the globe have headed down under to compete for the ultimate prize in a tournament that only comes around once every four years. Matches will begin to be played in Australia and New Zealand from July 20th and the final will be played exactly one month later in Sydney on August 20th.
Australia will get to watch their beloved Matildas in action on opening night as they begin their quest for glory. We assess their chances in the tournament and provide our best futures betting tips for the Women’s World Cup below!
2023 Women’s World Cup Outright Betting Tips
Contenders
Australia ($13 at Betr)
FIFA World Ranking: 10th
Player to Watch: Sam Kerr
The Matildas look primed to put in their best ever performance on the world stage. They come into the tournament having won nine of their last 10 matches, including a 2-0 win over England in April which snapped the Lionesses huge 30-match unbeaten streak. It’s been well-documented that this is the best ever Matildas squad assembled, and it’ll be spearheaded once again by superstar Sam Kerr. Kerr has finished in the top 3 in the Ballon d’Or in back-to-back years and is arguably the best striker in the world. It’s expected as many as 80,000 will be in attendance for the Matildas opening match against Ireland, which will give them an enormous boost as they look to begin their campaign with an important win.
USA ($3.60 at Bet365)
FIFA World Ranking: 1st
Players to Watch: Alex Morgan
USA are back-to-back World Cup champions and are looking to become the first nation in history to win three in a row. With stars all of the field, they boast the most complete team on paper and are the deserving favourites heading into the World Cup. Alex Morgan came equal first in the Golden Boot in France 2019, and she'll lead the attack again for Team USA.
England ($5.75 at Ladbrokes)
FIFA World Ranking: 4th
Player to Watch: Millie Bright
One of the powerhouses in the women’s game. They won the Euros in 2022 which is no mean feat. Unfortunately, the player of the tournament at the Euros in Beth Mead is out with injury, as is captain Leah Williamson. Still, the Lionesses have enough depth to cover their missing stars and will have ambitions of going all the way in Australia.
Spain ($6.50 at Betr)
FIFA World Ranking: 6th
Player to Watch: Alexia Putellas
At full strength, you could make the case that Spain has the most talented team in the world; however, they will be without at least a dozen of their experienced players in Australia due to complicated circumstances. On a positive note, back-to-back Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas is headed down under and is clearly one to keep an eye on.
Germany ($9 at TopSport)
FIFA World Ranking: 2nd
Player to Watch: Alexandra Popp
Germany won the first two World Cups of this millennium (2003, 2007) but have underwhelmed in the past three editions. However, they were unlucky not to be crowned champions at the 2022 Euros where they lost 2-1 in the final against England. The Germans have an experienced side and it would be foolish to count them out.
Outsiders: France ($13 at TopSport), Sweden ($21 at Ladbrokes), Netherlands ($34 at Ladbrokes), Brazil ($29 at Ladbrokes)
Outright Betting Tips
You can certainly make a case for any of the five teams we’ve labelled as contenders, but the likes of England and Spain seem a little too short in the market considering the star quality that they’ve left back home either due to injury or other reasons. That leaves us with three nations being the USA, Australia, and Germany. USA are clearly the team to beat but can you really back them at $3.50 before the tournament begins? I don’t think so. Germany seem a nice price at $9 and I think it’s worth having something there, while Australia could also be fun to back at double-figures, but I’m more keen to play them in the ‘To Qualify for Semi Final’ market at $2.80, which seems a more than fair price.
Value: Germany Outright $9 (TopSport)
Value: Australia Outright $13 (Betr)
Australia To Qualify for Semi Final
$2.80
Top Goal Scorer
There will be no shortage of star power up front at the Women’s World Cup, which can make it difficult to pinpoint a couple of top scorer chances, but it also means we getter better prices about our selections. The first one I’ll put forward is an absolute no-brainer and it’s Alex Morgan (USA). She’s been there, done that, finishing tied with two others on six goals to win the Golden Boot at the 2019 World Cup. Morgan will lead the attack for the $3.50 favourites in USA and that automatically puts her right in the mix once again. The next is also a no brainer if you’re keen on some Aussie flavour. Sam Kerr has made her name as one of, if not the best striker on the planet. Her CV is getting ridiculous and her legend continues to grow. Kerr is certainly value at $13 if the Matildas can venture deep into the knockout phase.
Value: Sam Kerr $13 (TAB)
