Who will win the 2023 Ladies’s World Cup?

The Ladies’s World Cup kicks off on 20 July, however who will likely be lifting the trophy on the finish of it?

The Republic of Eire are competing of their first World Cup and joint-hosts Australia and New Zealand hope to make it a memorable one.

BBC Sport spoke to pundits, ex-players and managers to get their predictions.

Kristine Lilly (Ex-USA ahead & report World Cup look holder)

Winners: USA

“I’ve to again my USA group to win. You take a look at the powerhouses which can be at all times within the combine like Germany, England, France and Sweden [as threats]. If they’ve the mentality it could possibly be fascinating.

“Then you might have groups like Brazil, who Pia Sundhage is teaching, and I’m anxious to see how they play. I at all times imagine in the event that they acquired extra coaching and training behind them, they might be some group to actually worry.

“I don’t know what’s happening with Spain as that they had some points, however they have been nice on the final World Cup. And the host international locations have the house benefit.”

England prediction: Last

“England has an opportunity to win as properly. I’m an enormous Sarina Wiegman fan – I performed together with her in faculty for a yr – and simply what she’s finished with the Netherlands and with England.

“I’m actually anxious to see how she’ll do and the England group. I do know there’s been some accidents however that is their time to shine. The mentality within the nation and the assist the ladies really feel now I feel is unimaginable.”

Participant to look at: Sophia Smith (USA)

“If Smith scores objectives like she has finished within the NWSL then she is a participant to have a stage for. I’m additionally anxious to see how [Spain’s] Alexia Putellas does if she is absolutely match.”

Kelly Smith (Former England striker)

Winners: Germany

“I might by no means, ever write off the USA due to their psychological energy and their capability to carry out when it issues. They’ve had a number of hic-ups by way of outcomes not too long ago and so they perhaps don’t have the identical large names within the squad, however you possibly can’t write them off.

“Germany are potential winners for those who take a look at their performances within the Euros. They have been unfortunate to not win it. It’s the USA and Germany who stand out for me.

“France are a group I feel can do one thing particular however they at all times appear to let me down. They’ve such a proficient squad however have been event flops. They’ve a brand new supervisor now so that you by no means know.

“Can Australia do what England did on house soil? Sam Kerr has had a incredible season.”

England prediction: Quarter-finals

“I feel Germany will beat England within the quarter-finals. I fear for England with the accidents they’ve had, dropping a giant chunk of expertise and high quality. It’s a younger squad now with restricted World Cup expertise.

“Germany know what it takes to get to a remaining and so they have energy in depth so it could possibly be a sport too far for England. The heartache that Germany sustained in that Euro 2022 remaining will give them further grit to beat England and get some revenge.

“Alexandra Popp has luggage of expertise so, if she will keep match, she’s a weapon for Germany.”

Participant to look at: Sophia Smith (USA)

“If the USA are to get to the ultimate and win it I feel Smith must have the event of her life. I’m additionally wanting ahead to watching England’s Lauren James, however she may not be beginning each sport.”

Willie Kirk (Leicester Metropolis supervisor)

Winners: Germany

“It was probably the most aggressive Euros there’s ever been final summer time and the World Cup would be the similar. I feel half a dozen groups might win it. However Germany have energy in depth with stability of youth and expertise.”

England prediction: Semi-finals

“Reaching the semi-finals could be incredible for England if it’s the anticipated route. It’s a very sturdy Australia group in order that’s a tough potential final 16 draw for England. Australia or Germany [in the quarter-finals] might knock England out.”

Participant to look at: Lena Oberdorf (Germany)

“Oberdorf continues to get higher and higher and can enhance once more on her Euro 2022 performances.”

Carly Telford (former England goalkeeper)

Winners: England or the USA

England prediction: Last

“England have gotten a few of the greatest gamers on the planet and we’re European champions, however going to a World Cup is so totally different. The journey, the opposition, being away from family and friends – it’s totally different to a house Euros the place there’s a lot we will management.

“We have now misplaced key gamers too, though that may galvanise a squad. We nonetheless have some incredible gamers, the most effective supervisor on the planet and the most effective goalkeeper on the planet at the moment. While you put these issues collectively there’s no cause why we will’t go and win the event. I see a bunch of winners.”

Republic of Eire prediction: Final 16

“The Republic of Eire have a really tough group however if you’re underdogs and new to a event, the chains are off. Their again 5 and goalkeeper may be very sturdy, however my fear is I don’t see them scoring many objectives.

“They’re good at set-pieces although – they’ve tall girls, are actually aggressive and have some actually good crossers. I feel their sport plan will likely be to beat the weaker group within the group after which maintain out so long as they will towards the stronger opponents and nick a purpose on a set-piece. They’re the shock group.”

Gamers to look at: Sophia Smith (USA) and Naomi Girma (USA)

“I performed with Girma final yr and he or she is among the most naturally gifted centre-halves you will note. It’s her first event so whether or not she is going to get examined or not, we are going to see.

“Smith is flying within the league together with her spark, velocity, confidence and unpredictability. These youngsters haven’t any worry.”

Carla Ward (Aston Villa supervisor)

Winners: France

“France have had good tournaments earlier than however haven’t had the additional edge. I feel the brand new supervisor [Herve Renard] coming in will give them that edge. They’ve the standard to win a event and their squad on paper is unbelievable. It feels prefer it could possibly be their time. The supervisor appears clear and organised, which is able to massively assist them.”

England prediction: Semi-finals

“England nonetheless have likelihood however the strain after the Euros is of course there and they’re lacking some large gamers. If key gamers carry out, they’ve an opportunity.

“Our striker [Aston Villa’s] Rachel Daly is among the greatest goalscoring forwards. We all know we are going to get objectives so we have now each likelihood. I don’t suppose we will underestimate Australia on house soil as a possible final 16 sport and in the event that they overcome them, everyone knows Germany are robust.

“If England have been to satisfy Germany and beat them, I might fancy us to go all the way in which.”

Republic of Eire prediction: Final 16

“The Republic of Eire put on their coronary heart on their sleeves and I feel they will get out of their group and shock folks. You take a look at gamers like McCabe, Quinn and [Villa’s] Ruesha Littlejohn. They’re skilled leaders.”

Participant to look at: Lena Oberdorf (Germany)

“Oberdorf got here alive throughout the Euros. The way in which she dictates the center of the pitch will likely be huge.”

Simone Magill (Northern Eire striker)

Winners: USA

“It’s onerous to look previous the USA. They’ve such a powerful historical past on the world stage and their report speaks for itself. They could possibly be pushed shut, but when they get to the ultimate they are going to know tips on how to get the job finished.

“Their mentality makes an enormous distinction and they’re a successful machine. It’s tough to see that altering this summer time as that provides them such an edge.”

England prediction: Semi-finals

“England are in a humorous place heading into the World Cup. They may undoubtedly get out of the group, however with so many key gamers lacking it’s onerous to gauge how far they are going to transcend that. They’ve nice depth however Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby and Beth Mead are prime, prime gamers.

“Objectives have been an issue of late, however I’ll at all times again my Aston Villa team-mate Daly to seek out the online. Now Alessia Russo’s contract with Arsenal is sorted I count on her to be on prime type too.”

Republic of Eire prediction: Group levels

“I do know precisely how the Republic of Eire gamers will really feel as they head into their first main event. At Euro 2022 final yr with Northern Eire, we actually needed to exit and absolutely embrace the expertise. They’ve been drawn in a particularly tough group, however there isn’t a expectation to go and get outcomes.

“They may have want to compete and whereas I feel development is a giant ask, getting a victory could be a hit for them. You by no means know when this chance might come up once more so they should take all of it in.”

Participant to look at: Sophia Smith (USA)

“Smith has been in unbelievable type for the Portland Thorns within the NWSL (Nationwide Ladies’s Soccer League), so if she carries that into the World Cup she might gentle up the event.”

Karen Bardsley (Ex-England goalkeeper)

Winners: USA

“The supervisor doesn’t know his greatest XI however the USA’s mentality and their expertise would possibly give them the leg up they want.”

England prediction: Last

“Regardless of latest performances suggesting England haven’t discovered tips on how to greatest utilise their squad, the Lionesses are nonetheless creating a great deal of possibilities and are harmful in entrance of purpose.

“Albeit a probably robust route, I really feel assured the Lionesses might dispatch Canada within the final 16, simply squeak previous Germany within the quarter-finals, after which upset the Aussies within the semi remaining.”

Republic of Eire prediction: Group levels

“Eire have certified for his or her first main event and I’m sure they are going to put up a giant battle. However in a bunch of bodily and technically strong groups I feel they are going to miss out on the knockout rounds.”

Participant to look at: Aitana Bonmati (Spain)

“My preliminary thought was Sam Kerr. She is a giant second participant and as Australia’s captain, it’s her time to shine. Nonetheless, I feel Bonmati brings a powerful mixture of creativity and purpose scoring and can standout if Spain are to fulfil their potential.”

Ellen White (former England striker and Lionesses’ report goalscorer)

Winners: England

“I’m backing England to go all the way in which. The group seems a little bit bit totally different from the Euros win however they nonetheless have that have – they know what successful takes and what it seems like.

“The USA are nonetheless up there however they have 14 new gamers the place that is their first event, which I feel is exceptional for them, so seeing how that works will likely be an fascinating dynamic.

“There are different contenders – Australia might go far, and it’s the similar with Germany and Sweden too – I’m hoping for a number of shocks however it seems like it’s at all times the European groups who dominate the ultimate levels. In 2019, it was seven European groups and the USA within the quarter-finals.”

Republic of Eire prediction: Group levels

“I’m excited to see the Republic of Eire and their followers on the World Cup and for them to be taking part in the co-hosts, Australia, of their first sport goes to be wonderful, however they’re in such a troublesome group.

“I feel they are going to do themselves proud by way of their performances, however selecting up factors goes to be onerous for them.

Participant to look at: Barbra Banda (Zambia)

“Banda was simply ridiculously good on the Tokyo Olympics and scored an exceptional quantity of objectives. She scored two towards Germany earlier this month too, so I’m very excited to see her once more on the world stage.”