The 2023 Women’s World Cup will be held from July 20 to August 20 in Australia and New Zealand. Here is everything you need to know about the tournament:
What is special about this year’s tournament?
The 2023 World Cup will be the most attended standalone women’s sporting event in history, with more than one million tickets already being sold.
How many teams are participating?
The World Cup started as a 12-team tournament in 1991 before being expanded to 16 at the 1999 edition and 24 in 2015.
This year’s World Cup will be the biggest edition, featuring 32 teams, up from 24 from the previous two editions.
Matches will be held across 10 venues in nine cities. The tournament opener is in Auckland and the final is in Sydney.
Who is the defending champion?
The U.S. is the defending champion and will be bidding for a record third consecutive title. Germany has won the title twice, while Japan and Norway have won once.
What is the prize money?
The total prize pool is $110 million, roughly 300% higher than what FIFA offered for the 2019 tournament. Each player will be guaranteed at least $30,000.
The total performance-based prize funds are significantly less than what was on offer at the men’s World Cup last year, where a $440 million total prize fund was awarded. Following is a break-up of the prize money:
Player prize money
• Group stage: $30,000
• Round of 16: $60,000
• Quarter-final: $90,000
• Fourth place: $165,000
• Third place: $180,000
• Runners up: $195,000
• Winners: $270,000
Team prize money
• Group stage: $1.56 million
• Round of 16: $1.87 million
• Quarter-final: $2.18 million
• Fourth place: $2.46 million
• Third place: $2.61 million
• Runners up: $3.02 million
• Winners: $4.29 million
Which teams are favorites?
Defending champion U.S. is the favorite to win a third straight title – an achievement no team has done so far. The Americans are missing some players due to injury, but they have a good blend of youth and experience in the squad.
England, which won the Euros last year, is also a favorite though the team is without key players such as captain Leah Williamson and Beth Mead due to injuries.
France, under new coach Herve Renard, is another on the list, along with world number two Germany and Spain. Australia is also a favorite owing to its home advantage.
Who are some of the players to watch out for?
Sam Kerr (Australia), Sophia Smith (United States) Aitana Bonmati (Spain), Eugenie Le Sommer (France), Alexia Putellas (Spain), Lena Oberdorf (Germany), Barbra Banda (Zambia), Rachel Daly (England), Asisat Oshaola (Nigeria), Yui Hasegawa (Japan), Wang Shuang (China).
Which key players are missing due to injuries?
Amandine Henry (France), Janine Beckie (Canada), Delphine Cascarino and Marie-Antoinette Katoto (both France), Fran Kirby, Leah Williamson, Beth Mead (all England), Becky Sauerbrunn, Sam Mewis, Catarina Macario, Mallory Swanson, Christen Press (all U.S.), Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands)
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