Who is favored to win 2023 World Cup now that USWNT has been eliminated?
At the World Cup, the U.S. Women's National Team made the wrong kind of history.
With its loss in the World Cup round of 16, in a penalty shootout against Sweden, the U.S. made its earliest-ever exit at a World Cup or Olympics. The American side had struggled through the group stage, but saw its performance improve dramatically against Sweden until goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher's attempted save on Lina Hurtig's penalty came up just short.
The USWNT, four-time World Cup champions and winners of the previous two, had never failed to reach the semifinals at either a World Cup or Olympics.
Now that the U.S., the pre-tournament favorites, has been eliminated, here are some of the other favorites to win the World Cup:
Spain
Already through to the quarterfinal, Spain returned to form in the round of 16 after suffering through an ugly loss against Japan in its final match of Group C. Spain pummeled Switzerland 5-1 in the round of 16, conceding just an own goal. Star Alexia Putellas — a two-time Ballon d'Or winner — continues her recovery from a knee injury.
Spain will face the Netherlands on August 10 in the quarterfinals.
England
It hadn't been easy for England, who in the group stage scratched out a pair of 1-0 victories against Denmark and Haiti, two squads that were not expected to factor in the World Cup. The Lionesses, however then crushed China 6-1 and are set to face Nigeria on Monday in the round of 16.
Japan
Japan has been a scoring machine at this World Cup, netting 14 total goals through the round of 16. That mark leads all countries, with the Netherlands being the next closest at 11, and forward Hinata Miyazawa is currently pacing all players with five goals. Japan defeated Norway 3-1 in the round of 16 to move on to a quarterfinal showdown with Sweden, the team that knocked out the U.S.
What are the odds for the winner of the World Cup?
As of Sunday morning, these are the current futures odds for the winner of the 2023 World Cup, according to Draft Kings.
- England, +225
- Spain, +300
- Japan, +500
- France, +650
- Sweden, +750
- Netherlands, +1100
- Australia, +1200
- Colombia, +2800
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