The subsequent version of the Ladies’s World Cup could also be two years away however the upcoming event is shortly turning into prime of thoughts for lots of the world’s nationwide groups, for whom the preparation begins now to make sure they put collectively a powerful displaying in Brazil.
That’s very true for the U.S. girls’s nationwide workforce, who’ve used this yr off from main competitors to vet new expertise and experiment with contemporary tactical concepts with the hopes of successful the World Cup for the primary time since 2019. The four-time world champions are as soon as once more a prime contender for the game’s prime prize at this stage, particularly so after successful Olympic gold in Paris final yr and returning to the highest of the FIFA rankings. The USWNT’s period of experimentation has solely bolstered this perception – head coach Emma Hayes has launched a number of new gamers to the fold, lots of whom have impressed alongside the way in which and are within the early phases of constructing an inexpensive case for his or her inclusion on the World Cup roster in two years’ time.
Hayes, although, is mainly being tasked with evolving the USWNT in a interval of speedy progress within the girls’s recreation. Because the 2023 World Cup and, to a lesser diploma, the 2025 Ladies’s Euro demonstrated, the sport is extra aggressive than ever and there are a number of sensible contenders for the World Cup title in 2027. The USWNT undoubtedly occupy a spot in a small class of elites at this level within the four-year cycle however they’re most actually not alone. England’s win over Spain in Sunday’s Ladies’s Euro closing demonstrates as a lot, whereas groups in several elements of the globe even have an argument.
With the countdown to the 2027 Ladies’s World Cup nicely and actually underway, here’s a have a look at the groups that might problem the USWNT for the title.
England
The back-to-back European champions are an apparent inclusion on this record primarily based on recency bias alone however England have nicely and actually change into a real contender since Sarina Wiegman took over head teaching duties after the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021. The Lionesses have a batch of spectacular expertise, led by Alessia Russo and Lauren James in addition to up-and-comer Michelle Agyemang. Wiegman has change into a specialist at main tournaments, steering her groups to 5 of the final six main event finals she has taken half in, discovering methods to win in a wide range of strategies. That features the gritty and unglamorous approach that England opted for at this summer time’s Euro and particularly so in opposition to Spain within the closing, balancing that with a powerful resolve to return from behind in three of their six video games in Switzerland. It’s a excellent mixture of tangible and intangibles that makes them an actual competitor for his or her first World Cup title in 2027.
Spain
Rounding out a gaggle of elites that features the USWNT and England is Spain, the reigning World Cup winners. Sunday’s loss in Switzerland could have been a setback of types for La Roja nevertheless it didn’t truly diminish the truth that they’re one of many world’s prime groups. Their trademark possession-oriented fashion makes one of the entertaining sides to observe and is extraordinarily efficient, permitting them to cruise to the semifinals of the Euro earlier than assembly some obstacles. There shall be actual classes to remove from the Euro, particularly because it pertains to outmaneuvering defensive groups, however these are fixable issues. Contemplating the muse they’ve to resolve these points, Spain might nonetheless realistically arrive in Brazil because the favorites to win the World Cup in two years’ time.
Germany
The 2-time World Cup winners will doubtless arrive in Brazil desirous to craft a redemption arc after exiting the 2023 version within the group stage, and can have the arrogance to take action by way of their latest performances. They gained bronze in Paris final yr and made a run to the semifinals on the Euro this summer time, the latter nearly inconceivable contemplating an harm disaster and suspensions that plagued their run in Switzerland. Their capacity to make it to the penultimate stage of the Ladies’s Euro, although, is as robust an indication as any that Germany can compete and in the event that they make it to the World Cup at full energy, count on them to have a shot at successful their first title since 2007.
Brazil
Dwelling area benefit can carry groups a good distance no matter their potential, however Brazil’s ceiling is greater than the common host nation. Very similar to Hayes with the USWNT, head coach Arthur Elias is ushering in a brand new era of gamers and already has an Olympic medal to indicate for it. Friendlies will make up most of their preparation however at this early stage, they have already got a 2-1 over the USWNT in April to boast about. In the event that they add extra notable outcomes to that record, in addition to discover a solution to win a fifth successive Copa America Femenina title this summer time, they’ll undoubtedly be a workforce to regulate in 2027.
