World Cup 2019: A (Belated) Preview
I'll admit it: I'm the worst. I entirely intended to have this preview piece done, you know, before the 2019 Women's World Cup began. That's typically what a preview piece indicates. And I did begin work on it (and finished nearly all predictions) prior to its beginning; I promise the only reason this did not see daylight until the first round of group stages were done is because of life and work busyness. But I know the natural assumption will be that I didn't care to make a preview piece because I don't care about the women's game, which is NOT TRUE. I'm a big fan of women's soccer, particularly at the international level. What is true is that I know less about the sport than I do about the men's game, so this is not quite the comprehensive preview that the men got last year, and for that, I apologize. The "good" news is that because 12 games have been played at the time of this article's conclusion, Future Daniel can pop in with some prescient knowledge!
Group A
France
South Korea
Norway
Nigeria
The Skinny
Hosts France have been the "next great" Women's team for the last few years now, seemingly on the edge of glory. With the tournament in their backyard, it may finally be the time for Les Bleus. They're far and away the most talented in their group, but it wasn't the easiest draw for them. South Korea is the clear weak link of the four, but Norway-- one of just four nations to win the tournament --is a perennial contender as well, and Nigeria have shown in the last two cups they are no pushovers.
The Player To Watch
Wendie Renard, D, France
Norway would normally boast the best player in the World, in defending Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg. However, the 23-year old is sitting out this tournament, citing an issue with the way women's football is treated in her home country. As such, the key player, amidst two European teams full of good ones, is France's Wendie Renard. The towering captain is the female answer to Virgil Van Dijk, as she is an imperious defender and a menace on set pieces.
GROUP PREDICTION
Group B
Germany
China
Spain
South Africa
The Skinny
South Africa and Germany make a good David and Goliath story. Banyana Banyana are making their first ever World Cup appearance, while Germany are one of, if not the greatest program in women's international soccer. So, needless to say, we're probably looking at an ugly game between those two. But the other two are intriguing group opponents: China is a traditional power who is weaker this year than most before. Spain has never won a World Cup match, but has possibly their strongest team ever. Margins could be thin in the race for the 2nd automatic bid.
The Player To Watch
Dzenifer Marozsán, M, Germany
Whether it's making cars or playing football, Germans are known more for clinical efficiency and precision than for flair. Thus, when a creative wizard comes along for the German team, it's truly a sight to behold. Marozsán is that wizard, with ball skills that are guaranteed to leave many a cleat on the field this tournament.
GROUP PREDICTION
Group C
Australia
Italy
Brazil
Jamaica
The Skinny
Brazil's men are, of course, the most renowned in world football. Brazil's women, though, are an almost tragic tale; so consistently under-appreciated by their own country, so consistently good, and yet, just unable to win the big ones. They've played in 2 World Cup Finals and 3 Olympic Gold Medal matches and have lost ALL of them. Their window may be closing, as legends like Marta, Cristiane, and Formiga are almost surely playing in their final tournament. The new kids on the block are Australia, who come into the tournament as favorites for the first time ever. Australia-Brazil will be a thrilling one to watch (Future Daniel update: it was!), as a clash between standard-bearers and nouveau riche. Italy and Cinderella story Jamaica will likely compete for a distant 3rd, though the gap between the former and this particular Brazil side may not be as great as in years past.
The Player To Watch
Sam Kerr, F, Australia
The main reason Australia is one of the favorites in this tournament is that, for the first time, they boast one of the best players in the World. Sam Kerr is on a completely different level right now. She has blink-and-you'll-miss-it breakaway speed, and is possibly the best finisher on the planet, as evidenced by her owning the NWSL's Golden Boot the last two seasons.
GROUP PREDICTION
Group D
England
Scotland
Argentina
Japan
The Skinny
Similar to the preceding group, this is yet another example of the traditional power possibly moving to second fiddle against an up-and-comer. Japan, winners in 2011 and runners-up in 2015, will again be a tough out, but aren't striking the same fear in opponents that they once did. Rather, it's England who have the top seed in Group D. The Three Lionesses finished off a surprise run in 2015 with a 3rd-place match triumph over Germany, then followed that up by beating the Germans, French and Americans in the SheBelieves Cup. Scotland may provide a bit of a challenge to their British rivals, but won't beat them. Argentina likely won't provide a challenge to their Falkland rivals. In all probability, it will come down to England and Japan, who have split their head-to-head matches in the last two Cups.
The Player To Watch
Lucy Bronze, D, England
England, as you might expect of a seeded team, is pretty well-stocked at every position. But Bronze, one of the best one-on-one defenders in the World, is irreplaceable. She's a star at right back, but can be a stopgap in midfield, too. Don't be surprised to see her wear more than one hat for England this Cup.
GROUP PREDICTION
Group E
Canada
Cameroon
New Zealand
Netherlands
The Skinny
Canada come in as the seeded team of Group E, and ranked 5th in the World. They likely will be hungry to make better than their 2015 outing, where they failed to progress past the quarterfinals. That's all easier said than done, though, as Group E is probably the closest thing to a Group of Death in this tournament. Netherlands, who exploded onto the scene in the 2015 Cup and the 2016 Olympics, was the highest-ranked team not seeded. New Zealand have steadily gotten better with each tournament appearance, and they and Cameroon both were surprise successes in the tournament last time around.
The Player To Watch
Lieke Martens, M, Netherlands
I was tempted to pick Canada's talismanic striker Christine Sinclair, but in terms of right now? There aren't too many players in the World better than Lieke Martens, who won FIFA Player of the Year in 2017. She's electric on the ball, but can blow by you in a flash off of it as well. In a resurgent Netherlands squad, she's the key to how far they go.
GROUP PREDICTION
Group F
United States
Thailand
Chile
Sweden
The Skinny
This group is probably the most top-heavy of them all. If anyone other than the US and Sweden finish in the top two, it will be one of the most shocking results in Women's World Cup history. The drama in this group lies in who wins between the United States and Sweden, and whether debutantes Chile or Thailand can pull out a victory and hang tough enough with the other two to manage to squeeze into the Round of 16 on a 3rd place finish.
The Player To Watch
Alex Morgan, F, United States
With all due respect to the other teams in Group F, particularly a solid Sweden squad, the best player has to come from an absolutely loaded USA team. And of those golden bunch, is there anyone you'd rather have on your team in a World Cup than Alex Morgan? Sure, she's not the most skilled (Tobin Heath), the most versatile (Crystal Dunn), or even the most indispensable (Julie Ertz). But she just scores, and by the bucketload (Future Daniel here: yep!). The importance of having a proficient goalscorer in this tournament can't be understated. It might just make the difference between a 2nd straight World Cup title and a quarterfinal exit to France.
GROUP PREDICTION
ROUND OF 16 FIELD PREDICTION
But wait, there's more! As you might recall, because FIFA expanded the tournament field to 24, there's a round of 16 before the quarterfinals. And because there are only 6 groups from which the Round of 16 can be filled out, that means most 3rd-placed teams will also advance to the knockout stages. Per my above projected group finishes, here's how the 3rd-place ranking will shake out:
If that were to transpire, here's the knockout stage bracket we would be left with:
