In what may be one of the colder World Cups on record, FIFA is bringing the Women's World Cup down under as Australia and New Zealand are ready to host their first-ever international FIFA tournament. The ninth Women's World Cup will be the largest ever as the host nations are welcomed by 30 other countries set for 64 matches across ten stadiums and nine cities. While we're seeing a first-time host nation, will we also see a first-time Champion? The betting market doesn’t think so.
The Team to Beat
Current tournament favourites, the USA, will be looking to take their total wins up to 5, tying the Brazilian Men's record and becoming the first team to ever win 3 FIFA World Cups in a row. The defending champions are currently at 5/2 odds to win the tournament with over 50% of the money behind them to take it down. Not only are they outright favourites, but star striker Alex Morgan is the favourite to win the golden boot. However, despite USA's Megan Rapinoe taking down the award last cup and Morgan being the favourite, our punters are looking elsewhere for their top goal-scorer bets.
Golden Boot
With the USA looking to make history, various other nations want to play the spoiler and make their own history. Second favourites and reigning European champs England are close behind the USA in odds at 4/1, with Arsenal striker Alessia Russo holding over 90% of the money in the Golden Boot market. Behind Russo as punters' second choice for the award is her cross-city rival, Matilda's captain and Chelsea star forward Samantha Kerr. Kerr helped lead Chelsea to their first domestic treble this season, winning the Women's FA Cup, the Women's Super League and the League Cup. Will Sam cap off an incredible season and help lead the co-host nation to glory?
Rest of the World
While much of the money is on USA, England and Australia, various outsider teams garner support amongst punters. While Russo's star club teammate, Vivianne Miedema, is out for the tournament, punters have yet to lose hope that the last tournaments runners-up will hoist the trophy in late August. Despite the long odds of 20/1 and bringing down their all-time leading scorer, the Netherlands is holding the fourth most amount of money to win the tournament outright. Another outsider that punters are finding is the 20/1 chance, Sweden. Next to the USA, Sweden has the top three finishes in the tournament's history at four, but they are yet to win. Not without their own stars, Sweden will look to experienced players such as Caroline Seger, Magda Eriksson and Fridolina Rolfö to lead them to their first world cup victory.
