Join us on this journey as we dish out the inside scoop on each squad's strengths, weaknesses, players to keep an eye on and what a pass mark might be for each nation.
Jamaica returns for their second consecutive Women's World Cup, and they bring one of the world's best players with them.
FIFA Women's World Cup appearances: 1 (2019)
Best performance at a FIFA Women's World Cup: Group stage (2019)
Players to watch
Khadija “Bunny” Shaw has scored 18 goals in 20 games for Manchester City this season. She is a near unstoppable striker with height, pace and mobility.
Hear the words that Raheem Sterling gave Khadija Shaw to help kickstart her Manchester City career 🥰
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) May 19, 2023
‘Bunny’ Shaw is having a phenomenal season, having scored 18 goals with six assists.
And her friendships with the Aussies at City are just too good!#BarclaysWSL #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/u0roRl2hGf
Four years ago, Shaw set up Jamaica’s first ever goal at a Women’s World Cup by carrying the ball from deep and sliding a pass through for Havana Soluan to score. For her national team she is both the focal point of the attack and the most dangerous creative player. Players of lesser talents might find this difficult, but she does it with ease.
Shaw is Jamaica’s all-time leading scorer with 55 goals in 38 appearances. She might be the world’s in-form player and is worth the price of admission alone.
Bunny Shaw 🤝 headers!
— Man City Women (@ManCityWomen) January 25, 2023
🔴 0-4 🔵 #ManCitypic.twitter.com/Vr87dEGPUv
2023 form
The Reggae Girlz have not been shy about looking for challenges in the buildup. They took part in the Cup of Nations on Australian soil in February. 3-0 losses to both Australia and Spain were disappointing but not unexpected. However, Jamaica's 3-2 loss to Czechia was much more encouraging, especially in the absence of Shaw.
Prior to that, Jamaica took on Paraguay in a pair of matches and won the first game 1-0 but lost the second 2-1. Jamaica is a developing football country with a few excellent talents. Each game for the side is another step for the team and the sport, and although results have been patchy, their performances have been ok.
Losing 3-0 to top ten nations is not surprising. The Reggae Girlz were never really in these games as contests but did not approach either opponent timidly.
Jamaica's form going into the tournament is not great, but the team will be confident against Panama, hopeful against Brazil and brave against France. Getting out of the group is not out of the question.
Take them on ⚔️
— Official J.F.F (@jff_football) April 11, 2023
📸: @mr_geniuz
.#ReggaeGirlz #BobMarleyFoundation #ReggaeGirlzFoundation #SUFCJAM #JFF_Football pic.twitter.com/LrnMRYW8Hq
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths: Jamacia may only have one World Cup goal so far, but showed against Czechia that the team can find the back of the net. Jody Brown and Kameron Simmonds scored either side of half time against a side known for its defensive organization.
For context, Czechia held England’s all-star attack to a 0-0 draw and did the same to the USA. To score twice without Shaw is a promising sign. In midfield, Drew Spence brings big game experience to the squad. She has won multiple trophies with Chelsea and although her form has dipped along with Tottenham’s this season, her standing in the sport has not.
Jamaica know that it cannot sit back and try and limit damage for the entire game, it is also not in the side's DNA. The Reggae Girlz will try and score against each of their opponents and in Shaw they have a brilliant centre forward.
Jamaica 4-0 Haiti Highlights & Goals | Concacaf Women’s Championship @ConcacafW #reggaegirlz #haiti #jamaica pic.twitter.com/uZSdJy2AJd
— MG Sports Media (@MilitaryGooner) July 12, 2022
Weaknesses: They are not a one-woman team, but Shaw is the most significant threat. France in particular will be very familiar with her after she scored 32 goals in 35 appearances at Bordeaux.
Theoretically, this makes Jamaica easy to stop, but in practice that may be tough. The days when one dominant player can carry a team deep into the tournament are long over, but expect Jamaica to provide at least one upset in the group stages.
"... with hard work, I think I can be one of the best female footballers from Jamaica 💬"
— Official J.F.F (@jff_football) March 17, 2023
- Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw, age 17
Nine years later, she's the same prolific player at the highest level of the game. ⏳
.#ReggaeGirlz #JFF_Football pic.twitter.com/JpqtfivuPl
Pass mark
A win in the group stage or not finishing bottom would be significant progress for Jamaica this World Cup.
That’s a wrap for today and the FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy Tour! 🥰
— Official J.F.F (@jff_football) April 18, 2023
.#FIFAWWC #ReggaeGirlz #JFF_Football pic.twitter.com/Ic3lPtlP7F
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