Up next: Women’s World Cup in Brazil
It’s the women’s turn now.
The next World Cup, the women’s edition, is set for next summer in Brazil. Just as Spain won the men’s trophy in the recently concluded tournament, that nation’s women were the champions three years ago.
Currently the top-ranked women’s team in the world, Spain topped England 1-0 in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final in Sydney. That squad was loaded with talent, including Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, as well as young star Salma Paralluelo.
In a television interview following the men’s final, Spain star Rodri paid Bonmati the ultimate compliment: “I’m trying to see if I can get to her level.”
The memories of 2023 aren’t so sweet for the United States, which was knocked out of the tournament in the round of 16 by Sweden. Still, the US has won four World Cup titles and is currently ranked No. 2 in the world.
The United States will host Spain twice in October, serving as a tuneup for CONCACAF qualifying to start in late November in Texas. The friendly matches against Spain could provide a glimpse of what both teams might look like next summer.
“We know Spain is an amazing team, and I think we’re just really looking forward to having this prep. Especially before qualifying,” said US midfielder Lily Yohannes. “And yeah, I think it will be a really great opportunity for us. Playing these players, I played against them in the Champions League, and I know how great they are.”
Filipinas in
Qualification for the World Cup is well under way, with 14 teams already securing berths. Brazil, which has an automatic spot as host, has never won the women’s tournament.
The Philippines has qualified to a second straight appearance in the centerpiece tournament, after a historic debut three years ago where the country also scored its first World Cup goal and victory.
The Philippines is one of only two Southeast Asian countries to qualify for back-to-back Women’s World Cups.
“Some time ago the opportunities for men and women were not equal. But that’s changing. This World Cup has tremendous potential to make that change truly happen,” said former Brazil defender Aline Pellegrino, now executive director of legacy and stakeholder affairs for Women’s World Cup in Brazil. “So there’s a great deal of excitement and expectation that we’ll have the best possible atmosphere in our stadiums, just as we recently saw in the two matches between the Brazilian national team and the United States. FIFA, together with the federal government and the host cities, have been working very hard to ensure that we’ll have full stadiums and that everything runs as efficiently as possible.”
The biggest question around the Brazilians is the status of veteran captain Marta, the nation’s all-time leading scorer with 122 goals. Marta retired from international play following Brazil’s 1-0 loss to the United States in the gold-medal match at the Paris Olympics, but returned the next year for the Copa America Femenina. She will be 41 when her nation hosts the World Cup.
