2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Odds, Best Bets, and Betting Preview

The ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup will feature a record number of countries represented, matches held, and stadiums used while marking the first time the event will be held south of the Equator.

Australia and New Zealand play host to the expanded field of 32 teams, and eight countries will make their tournament debut thanks to additional qualifying positions in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Over the eight Women’s World Cups dating back to 1991, the United States has the most decorated record with four titles, one runner-up, and three third-place finishes. They are the only country to medal in every tournament.

Germany represents the other nation with multiple World Cup trophies on their shelves, winning back-to-back in 2003 and 2007 over Sweden and Brazil, respectively. Their multiple triumphs, a runner-up finish in 1995, and two fourth-place results make the Germans the second-most prolific soccer nation on the women’s side.

The two other countries to win the event were Norway in 1995 and Japan in 2011. The two host nations will open the tournament on July 20. The Kiwis host Norway in Auckland first, and the Aussies welcome first-time participant Ireland to Stadium Australia in Sydney.

2019 Recap

The United States claimed their record fourth World Cup in dominant fashion four years ago, winning all seven matches they played and outscoring those opponents 26-3. Two Americans tied for the tournament lead in goals scored: Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan with six apiece.

All three US victories during the knockout rounds en route to the World Cup Final were by one goal, as Spain, France, and England went down in succession. The Netherlands awaited in the Final after eliminating Japan, Italy, and Sweden.

The Dutch relied on the stellar play of Golden Glove winner Sari van Veenendaal to offset a defensive style that resulted in just 11 goals over their seven matches in the tournament. The teams played to a scoreless draw in the first half before the Americans ratcheted up the pressure in the final 45 minutes.

Outshooting the Dutch 12-4, the US scored on a penalty in the 61st minute calmly slotted home by Megan Rapinoe before Rose Lavelle added the insurance with a skillful strike at the top of the box in the 69th that put the match away. The victory marked the second straight title for the United States.

2023 Favorites

It’s no surprise that the favorite to win the 2023 tournament is the United States (+250). However, the competition provided by the challengers is formidable based on the odds, and the US has their work cut out for them if they are to become the first team to win five World Cups and three in a row.

England is +350 on the heels of third- and fourth-place results in 2015 and 2019 and their victory at UEFA EURO 2022. They have to fill the boots of Ellen White, the country’s career top-scorer on the women’s side, who tied Rapinoe and Morgan with six goals to lead the 2019 World Cup.

At the 2022 Euros, English players represented six of the 11 who scored multiple goals, including Beth Mead, who tied Germany’s Alexandra Popp for the tournament lead with six. According to the team’s official website, Mead and team captain Leah Williamson will miss this tournament due to injury.

Germany (+650), Spain (+650), and France (+750) represent some of the toughest competition that the US and England will face.

The Germans have not medaled in the tournament since capturing their second World Cup in 2007. Their best performance in the last three editions was fourth place in 2015, though they finished as the runner-up to England at last year’s European Championships.

Spain, along with England and France, was one of three nations not to drop a point in UEFA qualifying for this year’s World Cup. The country is currently ranked sixth in the world, a new record for the Spanish, and they are surely eager to improve on a Round of 16 appearance in 2019. Spain fell to England in the quarterfinals of EURO 2022.

The French have never been on the podium at a Women’s World Cup. Their best result was in 2011 when they took fourth place during the tournament held in Germany. France’s Euro tournament, like Sweden, ended in the semifinals, where they endured a 4-0 defeat to the eventual champions, England.

Teams To Not Overlook

Australia (+1200), Sweden (+1400), and the Netherlands (+1600) are all projected to advance to the knockout stages, with the Aussies and Swedes favored to win their groups. The Dutch share a group with the Americans, so moving on as the 2nd-place team in that group is a good result.

Australia are three-time quarterfinalists at Women’s World Cups, attaining that mark in 2007, 2011, and 2015. The 10th-ranked global team is favored to win Group B, which they share with Canada, Ireland, and Nigeria.

Sweden, the most decorated nation to have not won a Women’s World Cup yet, finished third four years ago. That was their second medal performance in the last three World Cups, with the other occurring in 2011. Sweden fell to England 4-0 in the semifinals of EURO 2022.

Finally, the Netherlands will look to rebound from a difficult stretch since finishing second at the 2019 World Cup. They’ve fallen to ninth in the world rankings after rising to third in 2019 and managed quarterfinal appearances at the 2020 Olympics and 2022 Euros.

The Dutch had three players score 7+ goals in eight qualifying matches for this year’s tournament and will be a difficult team to eliminate thanks to their ability to pressure opponents’ back line.

Best Bets

After diving into all of the available options, we've settled on the following 3 best bets for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. We love that all of these selections are at plus money! Good luck!

Team to Reach the Semifinal: Australia

The home team with the best chance to make a run in 2023 will be the Aussies, though there is no trend for host countries factoring into the medal positions at this tournament.

Only the United States, who have done it twice, finished top three at a Women’s World Cup they were hosting. The US are also the only nation to win on their home soil, famously accomplishing the feat in 1999.

They have a favorable group and will face an easier knockout-round opponent if they meet those expectations. We like Australia to push for their first semifinal appearance at this number.

Team to Reach the Final: USA

The United States has appeared in the final match during five of the eight World Cups. They are the best team in the world and on the brink of history if they can hoist a third trophy in a row, we just think their odds are too slim to have sufficient value.

They should cruise to at least the semifinals, and we like the idea of making a profit before the tournament ends.

Team to Win the World Cup: Germany

The Germans narrowly lost out to England at last year’s Euros, but that English team will look different at this tournament due to the injuries we covered.

The world’s second-ranked team is a massive favorite in their group with Colombia, South Korea, and Morocco and will benefit from an easier draw.