Gosh, it feels like 1200 days since we were here last …
I’m not sure what I plan to write about the World Cup about to kick off in France, but I’m sure I’ll probably match my output for WWC2015.
Somewhat random notes:
- My player of the tournament from 2015, Norway’s Ada Hegerberg–who is probably the best player in the women’s game right now–will not be in France this summer due to an ongoing conflict with her country’s federation. I’ve heard two versions of the story, one where Hegerberg is making a principled stand about equality in Norway (a view that is complicated by the fact that it is one of the few countries where male and female players are paid equally); and the other where she is being selfish due to personal disagreements with the current coaching staff. Whatever the case, the tournament will be poorer for her absence.
- A plug here for the team previews over at All White Kit, who note that Hegerberg’s absence is unlikely to really damage Norway, as their problems are more defensive than offensive. That said, I will miss seeing her run rampant.
- My Under 23 Team from 2015 looks pretty good if I do say so myself. Of the countries that made it back to the 2019 tournament, every player I named made the squad, other than China’s Tang Jiali. From that group, I would look to Japan’s Mana Iwabuchi, Australia’s Samantha Kerr, and Canada’s Kadeisha Buchanan to star this year. Those three names are pretty obvious, though, so it’s not like that’s the product of shocking insight in any way.
If you read this last time around, you know I focus a lot on the talent that is moving into the full national team from the youth ranks. If you’re looking for under 23 talent likely to star this summer, I would look to
- France’s Delphine Cascarino and Grace Geyoro. I expect Cascarino to see more of the field, but I love Geyoro as a midfield engine for France over the next dacade.
- Nigeria has its usual parade of teenagers, but I would especially look for Rasheedat Ajibade to see time and find some success up front.
- Norway’s Frida Maanum is an impressive midfield talent, and seems to have earned some trust from the national team, with 20 caps, meaning she has more caps than birthdays.
- If I had to pick one youth player to breakout in France, it would be Germany’s Giulia Gwinn, who has dominated the youth competitions over the past few years. That said, Germany is–as always–stacked with talent, so I don’t know how much time Gwinn or fellow teens Lena Oberdorf and Klara Bühl will see.
- South Africa’s Linda Motlhalo is still only 20. Yowzah.
- Emerging from decades of neglect, the Spanish national team leans toward the younger side. I’ve always been a huge fan of Patricia Guijarro, Aitana Bonmati, and Nahikari Garcia, but 2023 may be their year to shine.
- Mary Fowler will get a ton of press-and at 16, she should–but Ellie Carpenter, at all of 19, is more likely to make an impact. I am not the only player surprised at the exclusion of Alex Chidiac from the Australia squad.
- Jamaica is a very hip pick this summer, and they will be led up front by Jody Brown (17) and Bunny Shaw, a veteran at the ripe old age of 22.
- England has a very strong team, with its core firmly in their prime. This may limit the amount of time Georgia Stanway sees, but she will be around for a long time at this level.
- 20 year old Erin Cuthbert is probably the key player for Scotland, and it’s exciting to see the national team willing to build around her.
- Cameroon’s Raïssa Feudjio is still only 23, and a true force in midfield.
- Canada continues to hand opportunities to youth, with the most exciting of them being Deanne Rose and Jordyn Huitema up front and Jessie Fleming in midfield.
- Vivianne Miedema has 75 caps at 22 years of age, and she should pair with Jill Roord for Holland for a long, long time.
There are lots of other under-23 players on the rosters, with the usual dearth of information, especially on the non-European sides, and I would expect (like Jiali did in 2015) at least a few of those to impress, as well as a few of these to not see the field and/or be overmatched.
As an example, I am a big fan of Motlhalo from her season with the Dash, but she remains so much slighter of build than most players she faces, and sometimes her skill cannot overcome that difference. I can’t see her, for example, winning many balls from Lindsey Horan.
That feels like plenty for now! Group predictions coming up on Thursday!