14/07/2023【Feature】Ellen White – Women WC champion analysis

Ellen White is England women’s record goalscorer. She has competed at 2011, 2015 and 2019 Women’s World Cup, reaching the semi-finals in 2015 and 2019 and finishing third in 2015.

England to be crowned world champions
There’s more hype than ever before around the Women’s World Cup because there are so many top teams and players who will participate in Australia and New Zealand.

Defending champions USA, England, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Canada and Australia are among the teams that have a chance at what I believe could be the most competitive World Cup ever.

England and the United States favourites
England are European champions and although key players Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Fran Kirby are injured, they still have so much quality.

Manager Sarina Wiegman has transformed the team. From my experience playing for her, she was a great communicator, had a philosophy that everyone understood and allowed players to express themselves on the pitch.  This group now knows how to win a major tournament.

Although their team is a little different from 2019, USA are still strong. Alex Morgan remains key, captain Lindsey Horan is crucial in midfield and I think forward Sophia Smith is one to look out for.

But other sides can make it hard for them by putting players behind the ball, making sure they’re difficult to break down and catching them on the counter-attack. Be aggressive in the press – they don’t like that!

Powerhouses among the contenders
You can never discount Germany. They showed how strong they are by getting to the final of the Euros and have a good blend of youth and experience, so I expect them to reach the latter stages.

There has been unrest in the Spain squad and much of the spine of their team – including their first-choice goalkeeper – will be absent. However, they have outstanding players like Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati and I still regard them as contenders.

Canada won the Olympics, beating the United States and Sweden, so have a winning mentality and so much experience in their squad. And Sweden beat England to finish third at the last World Cup and got to the final of the Olympics, so I expect both to perform well.
Australia came fourth at the Olympics, beat England earlier this year and have some star players – and I know from experience how much of a boost the home support gives. 

I’m also looking forward to seeing the Republic of Ireland and Jamaica, who could upset the bigger teams, while Brazil should be exciting to watch.

England and USA are on opposite sides of the draw so they can’t play each other until the final. I can see them both topping their groups, advancing through the knockout rounds and then meeting in the final. And I believe England can become world champions, which would be amazing!