The Striker is previewing all eight 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup groups in advance of the tournament's July 20 opener.
Group F features Brazil, France, Jamaica and Panama.
Brazil
FIFA Ranking
(as of June 9, 2023)
8
Odds
+2200
2023 record
3-2-1
Women’s World Cup history
Brazil has the unfortunate moniker of probably being the best country never to have won a Women's World Cup. They are also a member of the elite group to have featured at every tournament.
A Marta-inspired team in 2007 reached the World Cup final and was handily beaten by Germany 2-0 once they got there. It was the only match the South Americans didn’t win at that tournament. Tough love. It remains the South Americans’ best-ever finish.
Since that extraordinary showing that ended in silver, it’s been rather disappointing for the Selecao. A Quarterfinal exit in 2011 was followed by consecutive Round of 16 departures in 2015 and 2019. The incomparable 37-year-old Marta has announced this will be her last World Cup, which promises to make the competition an emotional mess for players and fans alike.
Player to watch
North Carolina Courage forward Kerolin missed the last World Cup through suspension after she tested positive for a banned substance. Four years on from that scandal, the Brazilian is playing the best soccer of her young career and could be looking at an NWSL MVP nominee.
Kerolin can play anywhere in the attack, which helps make her incredibly different to predict and mark out of matches. She’s confident on the ball when needed to build up attacks. And she’s silk when receiving the ball in the box and needing to finish off chances. I love how much separation she can get when she dribbles at opposition defenses at full speed.
France
FIFA Ranking
(as of June 9, 2023)
5
Odds
+1000
2023 record
5-1-1
Women’s World Cup history
France had to wait until 2003 to get in on the World Cup fun. Yes, the fourth edition of the tournament was just the first to feature Les Bleus. That outing, hosted by the United States, remains the Europeans' worst performance at a World Cup and the only time they haven’t made it out of the Group Stage.
A semifinal appearance in 2011, where they lost 3-1 to the USA, is France’s best World Cup showing to date. Since then it has been back-to-back sojourns to the quarterfinals, in 2015 and in 2019. Over the years, there has consistently been a feeling that France has the squad to go the distance. And whether through bad luck or underperformance, something has stopped them from reaching that top tier.
Provoked by a player protest (yes, another one!), the French Football Federation made a bit of a Hail Mary call by removing long-tenured head coach Corinne Diacre and bringing in Herve Renard. The former was extremely unpopular with the players. The latter has never coached in the women’s game, but has an expansive resumé when it comes to international soccer, including coaching the Saudi Arabia men at the most recent World Cup in Qatar.
Is Renard the man to finally get the best out of a very strong group of players?
Player to watch
Kadidiatou Diani is a dark horse candidate for player of the tournament. The attacker has been electric for Paris Saint-Germain this past season, notching 21 goals and seven assists in 24 league and Champions League matches.
Although mostly used as a winger for France, Diani is adept at reading the game and knowing when to time her runs to be decisive in the box. She’s strong in possession and is difficult to tackle, which makes her a great carrier of the ball.
Last summer at the Euros, despite flattering to deceive, Les Bleus made it all the way to the semifinals and Diani was a key player in that side. However, with just one goal, against Belgium, in the group stage, there’s a feeling that we’re still yet to see the best of her for her national team.
Jamaica
FIFA Ranking
(as of June 9, 2023)
43
Odds
+50000
2023 record
1-3-0
Women’s World Cup history
In 2019, Jamaica defied the odds to qualify for its first-ever World Cup in France. But that historic team struggled once the tournament started, and the Reggae Girlz were heavily beaten in every match of the group stage by an aggregate score of 12-1.
Four years later, and after another impressive showing in CONCACAF qualifying, the target for Jamaica is to be much more competitive in its second-ever World Cup. Growth for the Carribeans would be winning a match for the first time.
However, just like four years, a severe lack of funding and support from the Jamaican Football Federation has held back a roster bursting with talent. In June, the entire Jamaica squad voiced their frustrations with the federation over the unprofessional treatment it has received. Midfielder Havana Solaun’s mother even started a GoFundme to help support the team, as we covered in The Striker. (It raised more than $48,000, though the goal was $100,000.)
Player to watch
Center forward Khadija Shaw is the Reggae Girlz star player and face of the program. In the four years since the last World Cup, the 26-year-old from Spanish Town has gone from strength to strength. She scored 20 goals in 22 matches for Manchester City last season, and displayed maturity off the ball movement and a penchant for being in the right place at the right time.
In order for the potent Shaw to be on her game though, Drew Spence is going to have to be on top of her game when it comes to providing service. The midfielder from London qualifies for the Reggae Girlz through her family heritage, and after previously playing for England, she declared for Jamaica in 2021.
Panama
FIFA Ranking
(as of June 9, 2023)
52
Odds
+100000
2023 record
6-3-1
Women’s World Cup history
The Canalwomen are embarking on their first-ever World Cup after an impressive few years of investing in the program and developing the team.
Five years ago, Panama couldn’t even make the final round of Concacaf qualifying, but in 2022, the squad made it to the semifinals and then took Jamaica all the way to a penalty shootout before eventually finishing fourth.
Mexican head coach Ignacio Quintana, known as "Nacho," took over in 2021. Under his stewardship, the team is heading in the right direction. It's a fascinating time for Panamanian soccer, one of the fastest-rising nations in the world right now.
Player to watch
If you like creative midfielders, then look no further than Marta Cox. Her bold dribbling, dangerous deliveries and an ability to score acrobatic goals has made her a fan favorite in Mexico, where she plays her club soccer for recent Liga MX Femenil semifinalists Pachuca.
Cox scored one of the goals in the World Cup qualifying playoffs that set Panama on their way to Australia & New Zealand. She might be significantly pressed in matches without many other attacking threats at her level. But the Canalwomen’s ability to create goals will fall on her shoulders.
Who is most likely to advance from the group?
Unlike some of the others, this group feels decided before a ball is kicked. It would be a big upset if France and Brazil didn’t make it to the Round of 16. That’s not the fun answer, but it’s the truth — at least on paper.
It’s unlucky for both Jamaica and Panama to be drawn in a group with two favorites. If either of those two Concacaf nations were going to cause the upset, then it would probably be Jamaica. Of course, the Reggae Girlz’s lack of preparation matches for the tournament doesn’t instill much confidence in this squad reaching its full potential. Panama looks well prepared as a unit, but success for them could be winning just one match or holding their own for spells.
Match schedule
- France vs. Jamaica, Sunday, July 23, 6 a.m. ET (Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney)
- Brazil vs. Panama, Monday, July 24, 7 a.m. ET (Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide)
- France vs. Brazil, Saturday, July 29, 6 a.m. ET (Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane)
- Panama vs. Jamaica, Saturday, July 29, 8:30 a.m. ET (Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth)
- Panama vs. France, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 6 a.m. ET (Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney)
- Jamaica vs. Brazil, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 6 a.m. ET (Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne)
