ESPN’s writers who covered the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand offer their bold projections as to what might happen next time around. Will the USWNT return to the top? Should we fear a Spain dynasty? What about off-the-field progress?
The final for the 2023 Women’s World Cup is in the books, and what a competition it was. We had shocks — Philippines over Norway! USA out in the round of 16! Germany out in the group stage! — and a worthy winner as Spain bested England 1-0 in Sydney in a battle of the tournament’s two best sides.
And so, attention naturally turns to the next World Cup, to be held in 2027. Our writers who covered the 2023 edition in Australia and New Zealand make their predictions and bold projections for what might await in the next cycle.
It would be too easy to simply say that I think Japan will build from this tournament and win the whole thing in four years, because so much can happen over a tournament cycle. While I do think and hope Nadeshiko will be in the mix, you can’t overlook the wealth of talent in the U.S. should the Americans find a coach who can make them sing from the same hymn sheet. Likewise, we’ve seen teams start to catch up and reduce gaps, even those that are poorly funded and/or supported back home.
So my simple, not at all bold, prediction for 2027 is that it will be a World Cup that’s too close to call, just as this one was with so many games in the knockout rounds decided by the finest of margins. This has been the World Cup to let the world’s clubs know that if they have just the right balance of luck and tournament management, it really could be them. Although traditional powers will always be in the mix, the field has never felt more open.
The first thing to say is that it would have been helpful had the 2027 hosts been decided by now. As it stands, the tournament could be in Brazil, South Africa, the United States-Mexico or in Europe, co-hosted by Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. We won’t know the successful bid until May 2024, so it’s tough to predict how the tournament will play out because all the potential host nations will ensure different conditions for the teams involved.
Ali Krieger answers a question about the possibility of the USWNT luring England manager Sarina Wiegman or Australia manager Tony Gustavsson to replace Vlatko Andonovski.
No matter where the 2027 World Cup is eventually played, the USWNT will face an almighty challenge to reclaim their place at the top of the game. Doing that will obviously be much easier if they are awarded hosting rights alongside Mexico, but it will take more than the familiarity of playing at home to turn the tide back in their favour because the European nations are catching up fast.
Take Spain, which is producing so much talent at the youth level and could be a dominant force by 2027. England will be strong again, while France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands will also be challengers. Colombia could make rapid progress, while Nigeria will be buoyed by their performance in this tournament too.
Wherever it’s hosted, the USWNT are going to have to come through a crowded field if they are to win, and it might prove too tough and too crowded.
After the final, I’m not sure how much of a big shout this is, but I’m going to call this the start of a Spanish dynasty in women’s football. They have been ticking off major titles at the youth level for years, as back-to-back U17 world champions and winners of the U20 World Cup last year. They are only going to get better.
In four years, I predict they will have a new coach and an even better team. Midfielder Aitana Bonmatí, 25, should still be at her peak, and forward Salma Paralluelo will have developed into the real thing. Goalkeeper Cata Coll, right-back Ona Batlle and left-back Olga Carmona are three other youngsters who were part of Spain’s success in Australia and New Zealand. Joining them will be Vicky López, who is only 17, but will be the next midfield talent to breakthrough at Barcelona.
