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.

The Champs are here, looking slightly different, but just as dangerous.

FIFA Women's World Cup appearances: 8 (1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019)

Best performance at a FIFA Women's World Cup: Champions (1991, 1999, 2015, 2019)

Players to watch

Alex Morgan is one of the world’s best players, a World Cup legend and a deadly striker. Becky Sauerbrunn will likely be in her last World Cup for the national team and will be eager to go out on a high with a third winner's medal.

Trinity Rodman recently equaled Sam Kerr’s NWSL record of 10 goals and 10 assists in the season, and Rose Lavelle is one of the best creative midfielders going around.

Lynn Williams is a local hero to Western Sydney and Melbourne Victory fans, and is in the best form of her career, and Megan Rapinoe is one of the most recognizable names in football.

Few neutrals are fans of the USA. The team win too often and too ruthlessly to be universally loved, but individually, they have some of the most popular and entertaining footballers that will grace the tournament.

For some of them it will be their last time on this stage, for others it will be a chance to make their reputation.

2023 form

Vlatko Andonovski’s team may not be at their best just yet, but they have a perfect record in their last four games. The USA's last loss came against Germany in November of 2022, and the team immediately rectified that with a 1-0 win three days later.

Since then, the USA has defeated a distracted Canada, beaten Japan 1-0 and Brazil 2-1 in the She Believes Cup. These results are not too impressive, but it is ominous that even when well below their best, The Stars and Stripes are still able to win against quality opposition.

Interestingly in those four wins, Mallory Swanson has stepped up. She scored five goals, including the brace against Canada. So while the team may not be in imperious form, certain players are. These games have also introduced Sophia Smith into the setup. The Portland Thorns attacker is one of the brightest young talents in the NWSL and has added depth and class to the side.

The USWNT have not been sweeping teams aside as their fans are accustomed, but they are still pushing past them with regularity.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths: The strengths are clear with any USA side. The Stars and Stripes have depth, individual talent and a culture of relentless winning.

The USA simply arrives at every World Cup expecting to win. There have been teething issues. The squad needed rejuvenation following the 2019 tournament and the Tokyo Olympics campaign was underwhelming. The USA still left with a bronze medal after defeating Australia, but only found its best football in the third place playoff.

Weaknesses: The last two years have been frustrating for fans. Andonovski has yet to decide on what the best team should look like, and has been criticized for playing the likes of Crystal Dunn out of position.

Dunn’s versatility has been seen to have been used to her detriment. She has been deployed at fullback instead of her preferred role as a forward.

The USA has still routinely defeated all opposition, but aside from the win against Germany, its last victory over a current top 10 nation was against Australia in 2021.

Regardless of form, the USA will be dangerous when the tournament begins. Even at their worst, The Stars and Stripes are still a match for many other team’s best.

Pass mark

Anything less than a trophy is regarded as a failure for these players.

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