For those who are already missing that pleasant atmosphere of the World Cup, there is good news, it will not be necessary to wait three and a half years for a competition of this style. In July 2023, the Women’s Football World Cup begins, based in New Zealand and Australia — further afield than Qatar.
In Qatar, by the way, the Australian men’s team managed a surprising place for the round of 16, leaving dear Denmark behind in the group stage. The classification yielded lively parties late into the night on the streets of Australian cities. Therefore, it is to be imagined that the local fans will buy the selection.
Australian girls have a chance to surprise even more than guys. In the most recent edition of the Olympics, in Tokyo, the Oceania team drew with the famous selection of the United States in the group stage and eliminated the also favorite England in the quarterfinals. They finished fourth in the tournament, after facing the North Americans again and losing the bronze dispute by 4-3.
And in the last World Cup, in 2019, it was Australia who beat Brazil, in the group stage. The defeat pushed the selection of Marta and Formiga to the confrontation against France, which was also host. The 2-1 defeat, in overtime, caused the elimination of the Brazilians, who at the time were still trained by Vadão.
Defeat in 2019 provoked Marta’s famous and emotional speech. “We have to cry at the beginning to smile at the end. When I say that, it means wanting more, training more, taking care of yourself more. It’s being ready to play 90 and 30 minutes, however many minutes it takes. That’s what I ask of the teams. girls, there won’t be an Ant forever, there won’t be a Marta forever, there won’t be a Cristiane, and women’s football depends on you to survive.”
After the World Cup, the CBF hired the Swedish Pia Sundhage to start the new cycle.
Who knows, Messi’s contagious energy, who only managed to lift the trophy in his last World Cup (was it?) won’t pass now to Marta? The Brazilian, six times elected the best in the world, has already led the team to the final, but has not yet won the title – and like Cristiano Ronaldo (by the way, before him), Marta has scored a goal in five World Cups.
At 36 years old (she will be 37 during the competition), the main player in the history of Brazil is coming from a difficult season, recovering from a knee operation, and hopes to be ready for the competition.
This will be the first Cup with 32 teams and the path for Pia’s men has already been mapped out. The Brazilians are in Group F, with France (top seed), Jamaica and a selection that will come from a repechage. Brazil debuts on the 24th of July precisely against this fourth team, in Adelaide. The first two qualify.
Brazil’s key will cross in the round of 16 with Group H, formed by Germany, Colombia, Morocco and South Korea.
As a seasoned news journalist, I bring a wealth of experience to the field. I’ve worked with world-renowned news organizations, honing my skills as a writer and reporter. Currently, I write for the sports section at News Bulletin 247, where I bring a unique perspective to every story.
