It’s now less than a week until the gets underway Down Under.
New Zealand take on Norway at 8am on July 20, while Australia battle against the Republic of Ireland at 11am the same day.
England’s Lionesses have been hampered by injuries,
This year’s tournamentmaking it the first-ever co-hosted Women’s World Cup.
The World Cup begins on the BBC, with live coverage of host nation New Zealand facing Norway on July 20.
Ahead of the big kick-off, members of the broadcaster’s punditry team shared their thoughts, tips and predictions for the tournament.
Ellen White – former England player
Can England win it?
‘I’m backing England all the way. For this tournament, we know what it feels like to win. We won the Euros and so we know what that takes and what it looks like.
‘I know the team looks a little bit different from the Euros win, but I feel like this team still has that experience of winning. It’s really exciting for them and a different challenge, but I’m backing them all the way.’
Who are England’s biggest threats?
‘Obviously, I’m going to say England will lift the trophy. But if I’m going to say a number of favourites, I’d probably say USA.
‘They’re proven winners. Then you’ve got to look at Germany. They reached the final of the Euros and they’ve got some great players, some great talent.
‘It could potentially be France’s year as well, and then obviously the co-hosts too. Australia have got the home crowd to really support them.
‘We felt that in the Euros, they really pushed us on, so I think that secures their place as favourites as well.’
Who are your dark horses for the tournament?
‘France are quite frustrating. They’ve got unbelievable talent and they should be winning a major tournament.
‘But with that talent, and galvanised by their new manager, they could really progress and do really well.
‘Canada are also Olympic Champions and perhaps haven’t progressed as they’d have liked in a World Cup – they’ll be an exciting one to watch as well.’
Who do you back to be top scorer?
‘It’s got to be one of the England players. I think it would be amazing to have an England player as top scorer in back to back tournaments.
‘If it’s Rach Daley, Alessia Russo, Beth England, Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly… I don’t mind. It could be any of them! But other teams, it could be Alexandra Popp, Sam Kerr as well.
‘They’re great talents and proven in the league as well.’
What team and player are you most excited to watch away from England?
‘I like the way Germany play and I would love to see Popp do well again.
‘Norway’s Guro Reiten is a great player so excited to see her and I’m sure Norway would like some redemption for their performance at the Euros.’
Do you think we’ll see a breakthrough player this tournament? If so, who?
‘Well, we’ve got an amazing talent in Lauren James. We saw Chloe Kelly score the winner in the final of the Euros and she’s getting a lot more minutes now for England.
‘For the USA, there’s Sophia Smith – she’s an unbelievable player. I’m mainly looking forward to watching teams that I haven’t watched before, and seeing the players they’ve got and what they can do in the group stages.
‘Honestly, a fan, really. I’m just excited to watch the players and see them shine out there.’
Some of the games are on early in the morning. Do you have any tips for getting up early to watch them?
‘The England games are at a decent time here so I’m hoping it won’t be a struggle for people.
‘For those England games kicking off in the morning, I’d say get all your snacks ready the night before, have an early night, watch the games and have a lot of fun watching them.
‘Some of the other games, earlier in the morning, will be great for people getting in late!’
Steph Houghton – Manchester City captain
Who are you tipping to win the World Cup?
‘England I really do think we have as good a chance as anyone.
‘After England, I think Australia have a really decent team and have the benefit of a home crowd behind them. They’ve definitely got a shot at winning it.’
Who are the biggest threats to England?
‘As I’ve said, Australia have a really good side and they have that added benefit of being home nation with their supporters behind them.
‘The Australian stadiums will be full and their fans will be able to lift them in the key moments. They will prove a really difficult challenge for England if we end up facing them.’
Which rising stars do you think will shine?
‘The USA have some brilliant young players and I could see many of them lighting up this World Cup. It’s hard to pick one of their players, because they have so many top talents, but I really like Sophia Smith.
‘She’s been incredible recently and is clearly bursting full of confidence. She’ll cause problems for whoever she comes up against.’
Who are your picks for players of the tournament?
‘Sam Kerr, Alexandra Popp and Chloe Kelly. These are three top players who could do something really special this summer.’
Who are the dark horses?
‘France have a really good side and their manager Hervé Renard comes with a strong CV.
‘I could see them going very far and potentially challenging for the World Cup this year.’
Who do you back to be top scorer?
‘Sam Kerr.’
Some of the games are on early in the morning. Do you have any tips for getting up early to watch them?!
‘Go to bed early the night before, get yourself a coffee in the morning and get comfy to watch the BBC’s coverage!’
Fara Williams – Former England player
What should we look forward to this World Cup?
‘I think we’ll get to watch a lot of real, top quality players. The growth of the game over the last few years has been unbelievable – it’s sky rocketed. In terms of the competitiveness, the skill level, it’s going to be the best World Cup yet.’
Can England win it?
‘Well, they’re European Champions for starters.
‘They’re certainly one of the favourites. They’ve had a few injuries, yes, but Sarina Wiegman is one of the best managers in the World. I think we’ll get to the Semi-Final.’
Who are you tipping to win the World Cup?
‘It’s a really difficult one. I keep changing my mind. One minute it’s Australia, before the injuries I thought it would be England, and now I’m going with Germany!
‘I think they were really close last year with the Euros and they really pushed England. It’s an even stronger Germany team this year and in competitions like this, they’re normally very good.
‘Having been there and played against them, they usually turn up, so I’m going with them.’
Who do you back to be top scorer?
‘I think the top goal scorer will be Sam Kerr or maybe Alexandra Popp.
‘Sam Kerr has that added benefit of going into the tournament with home fans behind her in a decent Australia side.’
Who are your dark horses for the tournament?
‘The dark horse in this tournament is France. I say ‘dark horses’, but they are a talented, talented group of players.
‘Every year, we expect them to go far and even win it, and they never have. But this new manager has been great for them in terms of the transition. He’s brought some older players back into the squad just to get that balance right.
‘Nobody is talking about them for once, but I think they have a great chance and could go all the way.’
Do you think we’ll see a breakthrough player this tournament? If so, who?
‘If I’m going to go with England, the obvious player would be Lauren James, but I really like Jule Brand of Germany.
‘She’s a 19 year old wide-attacking player who plays for Wolfsburg. She is a phenomenal talent and if she’s given the opportunity, I think she’ll be really exciting to watch.’
Some of the games are on early in the morning. Do you have any tips for getting up early to watch them?!
‘For football fans, it doesn’t matter what time it is! We get up when there’s football on. Regardless of the time, get yourself up and watch the game. We don’t worry about times when it comes to football.’
Anita Asante – Coach and former player
Can England win it?
‘England can win it if they have the belief and play up to their potential as a team. Prior to the recent injuries, they were probably considered favourites.
‘The road to the final is a challenging one, especially given they could meet Germany in the quarter-finals and the hosts, Australia, in the semi-finals.’
Who is your dark horse for the tournament?
‘I think the dark horses are France. They’ve underachieved in many previous tournaments, but perhaps in acquiring an experienced international manager in Herve Renard, they will feel that this is their time.’
Which player are you most excited to watch this tournament?
‘The player I’m most excited to watch is the USA striker, Trinity Rodman. She is a top player.’
Do you have a breakthrough star to watch going into this World Cup?
‘There will be probably a few breakthrough players this tournament. The one I would really like to highlight is Athenea del Castillo from Spain.
‘She is such an exciting winger. She showed glimpses of how threatening she can be in attack at the Arnold Clark Cup tournament.’
Jonas Eidevall – Arsenal Women’s manager
Who will win the World Cup?
‘I’m backing England to win it. Why not? Despite some injuries and a lot of discussion about those injuries, they remain one of the best teams in world football.
‘They have got superb players, a great manager and don’t forget, they go into this tournament as Champions of Europe. I think they have a good chance of going one step further and becoming world champions.’
Biggest threat to England?
‘I think to face home nation Australia in the knock-out phase will be a huge test. They’re a really good side and, as England felt in the European Championships, home advantage can really play a big role on the biggest international stages.
‘Of course, the tests wouldn’t stop there – they would then probably have to face France or Germany in a potential Semi-Final – it’s not an easy route to the final.’
Any rising stars to watch out for?
‘There is a reason the USA are considered favourites by so many. They have a really good team with some excellent young talent.
‘I’m going to name three American players here, as I think there’s a real chance we see each of them shine from the very beginning until the end: Naomi Girma, Trinity Rodman and Alyssa Thompson.’
Who do you think could be player of the tournament?
‘Manchester City and England’s Lauren Hemp. On her day, there are very few better. She will be pivotal for England this tournament.
‘If England do go far, as I back them to, I think she could stand out as a star of the World Cup.’
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