I agree with the main premise of this video... the European game has really improved, their leagues have improved, modeled after the men;s leagues, and they are producing most of the top new talent. A top 6 European team against the U.S. is a tossup now. I'm rooting for our girls, and a few of them are in fine form, but they look better to me. Maybe our American spirit and competitiveness will come through, we'll certainly need it. Australia and Japan and others also look really good at times.

Vlatko is NOT building his team around Morgan and Rapinoe. Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman are the key forwards now. Rapinoe might actually play very few minutes.

Fact check: Catarina Macario didn't skip college to play in Europe. She was a 2x winner of best college player award.

Colombia 🇨🇴 played great the other day.

If I'm not mistaken Germany also lost 2 of their last 3 matches (to Brazil & Zambia). Would be hilarious if in the end it's neither US nor Europe :D

They have always competed with the USWNT, it was never easy for them, they won in extra times, via penalty shootouts and by fine margins, so they were usually dragging and outlasting their opponents even in their best year. When the top 8 plays, those matches are frequently very close and come down to sheer luck.

As a former USWNT fan all I can say is... they're going home... they're going home...Rapinoe is going home!!!

Great analysis. Came here after US eliminated by Sweden. And several new contenders.

Fifa awards are normally European players (or marta) cause they are the only ones Europeans watch or have heard of. Even when the US has had the best players. If it's a female footballer of the year the europeans often pick the european name they know. That's just how it is.

Is the fact that the last 3 ballon d'or winners were european proof that the europeans are truly better? or simply that the committee doesn't watch the US domestic league. Further, it's a bit funny to mention the strength of the Frauen Bundesliga (of which I am a fan, mind you) when you consider that most of the teams still are only semi-pro and the German starting lineup will basically come from 2 clubs. I think professionalization is the next big hurdle for women's football in Germany, or they truly will be left behind by the fully professional WSL.

Good points, but a counter: Opposite to the men's game, the Olympics and international invitational tournaments (She believes Cup as an example) provide enough opportunity for other nations to develop, there's a good quantity of interregional friendlies as well. Also the players for teams like Australia and Brazil play in those competitive leagues, Rafaelle and Sam were really good this season in the WSL. The European dominance might come in 2027, but for now I have my doubts.

I’m so excited for this World Cup I am an Australian and my friend played in two World Cup tournaments and was a defensive back for Australia throughout the 2010’s so know a lot about women’s football in this part of the world following my friend throughout her career. My friend retired from international football in 2017 and played in our local league which is where players like Sam Kerr got their start

My favourite for a dark horse is Norway. Hegerberg, Reiten, Maanum, Mjelde, Graham Hansen. Big question is whether they will defend well enough.

This narrative of "rest of the world catching up to the US Women" always seems to ignore the competitiveness that existed already. Germany in the 00s, Brasil in the 00s and 10s, Japan in the 10s, and now France/England/Netherlands in 20s. The US has always had tough opponents they have lost to or barely got by. The diagnosis in 2007 was that the US reign was over and would be left behind by other nations. They went on to make three finals, winning two. My point is if the US fails to win in 2023 it doesn't really show a massive change. In 2019 the brutal run of having to beat Sweden, Spain, France, England and Netherlands showed how close it could have been to going out at any point. All one has to do is look at the men's side and see that nations like Brasil, Germany, Argentina, France, and Italy don't reasonably expect to win it every time. I'm very proud of our women, but the expectations at times are ridiculous where a 3rd place is a disaster and we are always on the precipice of collapsing since 1999.

I think the home fans will help push the Matildas to the final.

I agree with everything in this video. But cmon guys are not even going to mention Sweden as a contender for the title? They have performed semis and finals in the last couple of big tournaments. They are ranked third in the world for gods sake.

Hi soccer lovers, I love all your passionate comments and love for the USWNT. The US women pioneered the model of how women can succeed in something that not long time ago was considered a "Men's job only." Almost a century ago, Rosie the Riveter was a symbol of equality with men. Should they keep that continuity? Not necessary. They established something that was taken as a model worldwide, and now, my soccer lovers, let's love the whole game regardless it is being played in Australia, Senegal, Sweden, or anywhere else. Love it because the USWNT pioneered it. Love you all

I appreciate this view. I'm all in for USA but good to see which teams to look out for!!

Megan’s WELCOME TO AMERICA victory pose is hilarious to see every time!!

Really gooood

The last men's World Cup in Qatar showed how teams outside Europe and South America fared better. Even though the final was between the Europe and South America, teams from Asia, Africa, and North America had slight chances to upset. Take a look on how Morocco overcoming 3 European giants like Belgium, Spain, and Portugal, as well as Japan beating 2 former European and World champions Spain and Germany. Also, you can't even forget the same thing for Cameroon beating Brazil on the last group game to escape bottom place in the group, and Socceroos Australia reaching the knockout stages with only 3 goals in the group games and didn't suffered a heavy defeat against Argentina. The same thing can also be applied to the women's counterpart. Before this tournament had began, some countries tasted a better result. The Matildas Australia won against the European nations like Spain, Sweden, England, and France. Zambia also stunned Germany with a last minute winning goal. Even the Southeast Asian dark horse Vietnam didn't lost heavily to Germany (1-2)! I think some groups that are considered as Group of Death, notably Group B, E, F, and even G, will expect some surprising results. But I will consider that USWNT will top the Group F as usual, with Spain and Sweden must do the same thing so that Spain or Sweden will only face USWNT in the semifinal.

There is a lot of nonsense in this video. 1. YES the USWNT has always been near the top - and they won the last two world cups. BUT they did not win the previous three. In guessing (without looking now) the writers for this video have no idea who won the previous editions. Two of those three were won by Germany - so to say Germany is only now “catching up” is insanely disrespectful to that powerhouse team. And another team you mentioned as on the rise l, Japan won the other one. 2. This idea that somehow France and England are just now rising is also laughable. Did you see their matches against the US in 2019? Both played them VERY close and could have won either game. Canada also has has a very strong team for some time now along with the all time goal scoring leader, regardless of gender. Norway and Sweden have also long had strong teams. 3. This idea that there are no current US players in the top 5 in the world due to those euro centric rankings is absurd. It just tells me you don’t watch the NWSL at all. 4. The names of the storied men’s clubs as well as “the Champions league” carry so much weight in your mind you overestimate the skill of their players. That’s not saying some of the players aren’t great; they are. But you say FC Barcelona with such reverence, as an example, without realizing their women’s squad is very average. I love that now many outlets who don’t know much about the women’s game are finally paying attention. They would do well to hire some experts and do more research.

Spain

I cheer for Spain or Japan . . .

Title IX was the reason the US was so far ahead. Now the rich private club development style of US soccer is allowing Europeans to catch up. That being said, Sophia Smith is by far the best player in the world now and Europeans have not yet even heard of her.

I think Sweden and France go to the final because they play very well

One can only hope its the end of an era.

I usually don’t watch women’s football but seeing how it’s evolving and how it will evolve even more is gonna be very interesting

Yup am so glad that Megan Rapinoe is done. They need a better way forward and get back to basics.

Since I love football I have been getting these videos on my thread so here are my two cents. 1-There are more leagues around the world that have been attracting the better players to play there (France, Spain, Germany, Sweden) 2-Teams no longer look at the US as a mount Everest 3-Teams around the world are recruiting taller players and grooming them into national team players. 4-There is more camaraderie amongst the other teams (my perception) 5-The US has an aging team and needs a new image.

I agree with him some of the best players of the US are retired it's so sad im a fan of them but i hope they can still perform better in the world cup i think this yr spain and england has a higher chance of winning the world cup i like england and netherlands as well i hope i can watch it live

Didn't Canada 🇨🇦 win Gold the 2020 Olympics? Christine Sinclair, Captain Canuck, also has 190 international goals, the most of any football player on the planet, has scored at 5 WCs, and has over 300 caps. Not a single mention for Canada and no one ever talks about Sinclair as one of the all time greats. Why is that?

the usa team focusses more on equal pay then playing football🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Anyone think Japan could win the whole thing?

USWNT dominating the World Cup is a phenomenal outcome rather than by chance. If you repeatedly win a World Cup as much as eight times in less than 25 years, there's got to be some fundamental truth about your success. Everybody understands a game, a sports game universally loved all over the world, must be fun to play in the first place. To excel in such a game winning titles and trophies, there is hell lot to achieve, to acquire, to develop, to compete for, from an individual display to a team performance. USWNT's success, without prejudice, is a combination of everything from youth sports in soccer on school grounds, community activities and promotions with a great deal of input from soccer lovers, educational organizations supporting the soccer curriculum, governmental agencies injecting financial resources to develop the sport into a nationwide hobby for women. It all started from school and ending in parks over the weekend, to competition between countries in Olympic Games and World Soccer. The popularity of women soccer is ongoing in the US from small counties to states. So in the past thirty plus years this development has never stopped. You can see kids running with a ball, kicking with it by both boys and girls on a pitch, in the park, in their backyard, as well as in a team to compete regularly over the weekends led by their school teachers and coaches. To arrive at this stage as commonly seen as weekend sports activities in parks in the US, it is a long way, and surely, it led to undisputed success without saying. So I am not convinced, after seeing young girls in the age of 7 or 8, kicking a ball around in the park, or juvenile soccer teams playing at the age groups of 10-11, or late teens of women teams in the age of 15 to 16 fighting for a school trophy, that American women soccer is in the decline. Set backs are bound to happen when key players leave a team, new players come in but need time to develop or mature. Yes, times of disappointment because of excessive expectation but not a decline. There are times of adjustments, and I feel that the USWNT will continue to thrive.

First, many thanks for this informative video. As an American, I agree with most of the points that you made, and I love seeing and hearing Nadia in my hometown, Louisville, talking honestly about women's football. Second, personally, I have placed my money on Australia, because I think the oddsmakers and public are underestimating their opportunity to win the Cup. Third, American women's teams are finally waking up to the necessity of club football and the development of younger players. Several players on the National team are not former college players, but for some reason non-US media only mentions our players in their thirties, overlooking the true stars of our team. Finally, the American people struggle with the concept of football or any professional leagues for the benefit of anyone other than rich owners, but times are changing, and America is finally trying to develop football from the bottom up rather than from MLS owners down.

Coming back here in a month when USWNT wins their third straight.

Good report and excited about the finals....but British FA???

I'm supporting 🇿🇦 But my second team is 🇪🇸

The finals will be the US vs a European team.

Germany looked awful in their recent match against Zambia. Maybe you should shift your Euro-centric view to Africa instead? 😄

Japan.

The USA has a huge advantage in this world cup due to the brackets. Assuming that the US, Spain and Sweden all top their group then the US won't have to play a top team until the semifinals. That said I don't think they can win. Whomever is in charge (not the head coach) seems hell bent on preserving the positions of as many of the old stars as possible even to the point of refusing to call in players for friendlies when their were openings due to injury.

The USA is still the favorite, but I wouldn't put money on them. They're still pretty old. But experience does count in a big time tournament like this. I think probably 6 or 7 teams could win it. Don't count out Japan. It's going to be fun.

The US had over 100,000 in world cup final in California. Many young players (Rodman, Thompson & others) are skipping college soccer and going directly into the professional leagues.

Japan🗾

After seeing them take on France in a friendly they have to improve a great deal if they are to stand any sort of chance.

I hope we'll see a totally new world champion

Colombia will make it to Semis. With a young phenom like Linda Caicedo , Mayra Ramirez, & Catalina Usme on the attack plus a veteran squad they will turn heads.⚽️🇨🇴 8:36

No doubt it's my Team USA❤❤❤❤❤

If there was a Europe v USA match, i reckon Europe would win. England alone have 6 world class players. Unfortunately, 3 are out with injuries, at present.

Come on england 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿⚽ even with the injury list we can still do it ❤

USA USA USA it will be a tough year though the European girls at France, England, Holland, and Spain are nice

France Japan or England not the US this time .

My bets are: Spain, England, Germany, Canada and Brazil. USA is 6th or 7th at least.

You don't follow the new women on the team, do you.? Rapinoe will hardly play, Morgan will start but Rodman will replace her at the half. You forgot about Brazil who beat Germany & lost to England at Wembley on penalties.

For the first time i heard some of the women footballers, they should be on the news more!

It is kinda funny that a German channel posted a video with ''game over USA?''' and then today happened...

That will be Germany, hands down. U.S. goes out in quarter finals.

As an American I can say I am a huge supporter for any team facing the US women.

Sweden, England and Australia may win it.

My opinion is any top 8 teams can win can win this year for the reason US is not a very strong contender because of 4 super stars are absence due to injury. If they're in this line up, the world will be in jealous anger knowing it's impossible to beat them. But lucky (?) for you guys they're not here so you have so many stories to talk them down this and that..... But I have news for you, they will try their best of what they have and know how to win it again. If they don't win this time, I assure you they'll come back again and again in the future. Because winning women football is already in their blood. In the US the NWSL is expanding rapidly accommodating more teams joined in every year. That means the pools will be overwhelmed with talented players for USWNT in future. We already look pass this WC, the future is so bright and promising with US WOMEN SOCCER !!! Go team USA 👈👍👊🌹💖🗽💥

I think Japan is good but I worry about their physical condition and strength. I hope they win and all girls don’t get injured!!

*Anchor is look like “Harry Styles”

It was only a matter of time before Europe caught up.. I mean, Europe has a culture of soccer. All the great tactics evolved there. The US doesn't have that culture - the US has a culture of basketball, baseball, and American football. It was just b/c of Title IX and the development of recreational leagues for girls soccer that women's soccer flourished in the US. Everything else favors Europe and South America.

They had 50 year head start on the rest of world due the USA law title 9 that decreed woman’s sports in colleges were to get the same level of funding as men’s college sports in the USA. This mean the college female football system was the best funded and more professional female football development program in the world were women’s football in other countries was banned in the 1970s and 1980. Amateur in the 1990s, semi-pro in the 2000s, and fully professional in 2017 onwards. Because the USA was essentially the only professionally trained country in a semi-professional sport for many decades, they dominated purely with physical fitness and athleticism. But now Europe is transitioning to a fully professional sport, using the facilities and coaching of major men’s teams, they have closed a 50 year head start in just 3 or 4 years and that is bad news for the USA because it is exposing the weaknesses of USA soccer. For all the USA domination, they were never the most technically gifted players because coaching is very poor in the USA, so used to win on pure athleticism and fitness. But if you have European teams with fully professional training and can match the athleticism and fitness of USA, but are technically superior, it will be very hard for the USA to beat them. I don’t think Europe’s currently has the best female athletes playing football yet. I look at England and the best female athletes are in netball or track and field. The English FA the incredibly dumb idea of ignoring the big diverse cities like London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool ND others for female youth development meaning there are hardly any black girls in England team who would raise the quality of the team like what has happened on the male side of English football. I will struggle to see how the USA would ever beat England scouting and developing black kids who would take the skill and athleticism of the England team to a new level. The USWNT just filled the void left by real football nations who didn’t care or fund their female football programs and now they do, it is game over for the USA.

The USWNT will not win the world cup because they are not sharp. Their passes are sloppy, their shooting are not accurate and precise. Their technique overall is average to bad. They are overhyped. There are many teams that are better than them.

England or Spain for me

I think it'll be Australia (I could be biased) but they have stunned England in England and have beaten France so you know anything could happen tho.

Don’t count out South America with Brasil and Colombia could be a surprise with players like Linda Caisedo….

The group game USA against Netherlands will give a first answer regarding the question USA vs. Europe. The Netherlands team is real a European team with players from clubs all over Europe, Arsenal, PSG, Munich, Wolfsburg, Lyon, Ajax, Chelsea, Athletico and Man City. The coach Andries Jonker has been van Gaal's assistant at Barcelona and Munich. He managed men's team in the Bundesliga and the Eredivisie. He definitely understands modern European football tactics. This will be the first test for the US and if they lose they might need to play Sweden, Spain and the Netherlands again to reach the final, where they will be expected by France, Germany or England. Can the win the world cup? Yes, but it is not guaranteed.

What's the 'British FA'?

Clickbait. The US hasn't gotten weaker, other countries are finally taking it seriously and investing. You're gonna see the new players introduce themselves in this WC.

come on guys England

When i see usa team,there no bit of regeneration,i think england and japan will goes to final

#CanadaWNT🇨🇦💘⚽️

Japan 🇯🇵

*Ninety percent of the so-called European stars were formed and taught how to play soccer here in the USA. That England coach was formed and taught by us. Some of the stars of the current English team were trained by us in this old USA. That Aussie star (Kerr, I believe) was formed in the USA league. She plays like an American because we taught her how to play like an American.*

Zambia SHIPOLOPOLO to win 2023 fifa women's world cup 5:51

It's been proven the woman's football is largely on the rise in the EU after Spain won the World Cup with a solid team. Even Portugal is investing allot in the development of young talent. Clubs are being obligated by FPF to create a team and facilities are being built for them. SC Braga is solid example (even having women's futsal). They are going to build a new stadium near the main stadium and will also provide them with new fields and all together (men and women) with the needed quality of training.

The US is one of the favorite to win this WC but Europe is going to dominate in the future because of the reasons mentioned. The league in the US wont be able to keep up with European leagues that is improving drastically in term of funding and exposure.

"Andonovski is still building his team around super strikers Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan." LOL!!! This guy has no idea what he's talking about.

USA are always favourites for title, however, they don't have Sauerbrunn, Lloyd, Heath, Krieger or Press anymore. The current squad doesn't look as scary. My two favourites to win the WWC this year are England, current European champions, and Sweden. They have a strong squad as well.

Kristen Press has been better than Alex Morgan at every level. More goals in college, club level, and higher per min internationally. Morgan scored her 1st big game ever against England in the last World Cup. 5 of her 7 goals at that World Cup was against Thailand in the opener.

They sleep over the laurels of the past and " others " toxic ingredients.

I think germany, spain, brazil or England

Yeah DW, how was that Columbia game.....

Its coming to Africa this time,Zambia to be specific.we will come back to cement this comment of the 20 of August.Zambia Ku chalo...

there are far better prepared, consolidated and drilled TEAMS than the USA heading into this FIFAWC.

I’m backing England

If the USA wins this, they will not win it easy, sure, they have an easy group with 2 countries that will play their first World Cup, but The Netherlands are looking for revenge after the defeats in the World Cup finale and at the Olympics, a few players will play their last World cup: Rapinoe, Marta and maybe Sam Kerr and Christine Sinclair so this Championship will be something to look forward to in many ways!

Australia have recent victories over Spain, England, Sweden and France. Just sayin...

As a Moroccan I'm backing Morocco of course, even if it's their first time in the tournament. We just hope to see good games

I'm betting against USA this WC that's for sure

Nigeria!!!

japan........................................

One reason Megan Rapinoe

australia

Canada i think

England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿