2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Sleeper Team Odds and Picks
The best teams in women’s international soccer will face-off this summer in Australia and New Zealand for the right to hoist the prestigious World Cup trophy. Though much of the spotlight will be focused upon tournament favorites such as England, Spain, and the defending champions from the United States, there remains great betting value scattered throughout a variety of online sportsbooks where you are betting soccer.
For starters, the field at this year’s Women’s World Cup has expanded – now at a vast 32 teams. Eight squads will be on this stage for this first time, and with the heavy travel for many nations, a rash of harsh injuries to some of the best players on the top teams, the 2023 tournament could produce an unlikely run. A few sleepers could make an impressive push in Australia and New Zealand later this month.
The gap is closing rapidly in women’s soccer, and don’t be surprised if the 2023 Women’s World Cup generates some real shock value. After all, in the last best-on-best female soccer competition, it was a pesky underdog side from Canada that secured Olympic gold. It is truly anyone’s tournament, and despite the time changes likely making for wonky sleep schedules to many in North America, the quality of soccer action on display will be worth the groggy mornings and late nights!
The United States do enter as tournament favourites, and rightfully so given the fact that they are the two-time defending champions. Beyond the Americans are a wealth of impressive European sides, bolstered by tough competition at last summer’s Euro Cup, which saw England emerge victorious. Many of these sides are no doubt eager to close the gap on the USA, and wrestle away soccer’s ultimate trophy.
In this article however, we will instead focus on some of the sleeper squads to bet on for this year’s Women’s World Cup. Many of the 32 teams in this impressive field represent sneaky value, and we’ll take an in-depth look at four of our top wagers as this tournament inches closer. These sleeper teams are currently all showing good value to progress deep into the tournament, and could really enhance those betting accounts should they impress!
For added insight, World Cup outright betting odds, the latest news and action a month out, continue reading on below as we break down our official sleeper team selections to bet on for the highly anticipated 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup from July 20-August 20 in Australia and New Zealand. Enjoy!
2023 Women’s World Cup Betting Sleepers
Odds to Win the 2023 Women’s World Cup, provided by BetUS:
Sweden (+1600)
In tournaments of this magnitude, it’s nearly impossible to count out the Swedes, yet various oddsmakers seem to be doing just that. This is a squad that has aged over the past few years, but the quality and caliber of talent throughout their lineup, and their prior big-game experiences makes them a worthy sleeper at this year’s World Cup.
Sweden are the reigning Olympic silver medallists, only narrowly losing on penalties to Canada in a match they deserved better. The core of this squad has been playing together for years now, and that familiarity and experience in high-pressure tournaments is certainly worth something in this year’s World Cup.
They enter Australia and New Zealand as the favorites in a tough Group G, featuring Argentina, South Africa, and their main rivals from Italy. The Swedes will be challenged in the group stage, but that adversity will do well to prepare them for stiffer matches come the knockout round.
Currently, Sweden is ranked third in the world according to FIFA, so to see them with stunningly low odds is quite surprising, given their experience and star talent. Sweden also boasts an impressively high ceiling, in that when they’re locked in as a squad, they are impressively difficult to break down. In looking through various World Cup sports betting sites, Sweden definitely has a higher ceiling than many other teams with lesser odds, representing good sleeper value.
It can be tough to consider the Swedes a true ‘sleeper’ given how good they’ve been in major international tournaments over the past decade, but the odds are quite juicy. This Swedish side is still one that can play rigid defense, stick to a gameplan and cohesive system, all while boasting some elite skill and game-breaking ability.
This group enters motivated and well-aware that this could be their last real shot at international glory. Sweden is loaded with elite players in their prime, and many within their squad list might be forced to retire or move on following the conclusion of this tournament. Expect Fridolina Rolfo and Stina Blackstenius to provide impressive ball movement and scoring up front, while Magdalena Eriksson should be rock-solid in the center of defense for this stout Swedish side.
— Melina Melinae (@melinae07) December 9, 2021
Expect a big tourney from many of Sweden’s top talents, and despite their lofty odds a few weeks out from the tournament, it is impossible to truly count out Sweden. They boast quality skill all over the pitch, and their experience in big moments cannot be discounted. At +1600, the Swedes are definitely one sleeper side you cannot look past!
Canada (+3300)
Another sleeper team likely feeling a tad disrespected by the current betting lines to win the 2023 Women’s World Cup, are the reigning Olympic Gold medalists from Canada. After all, it was just two summers ago where this very similar Canadian squad beat both the United States and Sweden, en route to glory in Tokyo.
The Canadians return many of the same players. Though they’ll be without a key attacking talent in Janine Beckie, the quality of this squad, and the potential to surprise is most definitely still there.
Canada has yet to medal at any of their previous World Cups, but they have a chance in Australia and New Zealand given their high-end talent and veteran leadership. This is a team that won 14 of their 17 matches back in 2022, and though they’re currently embroiled in a pay dispute with the Canadian Soccer Federation, reports indicate that the team won’t let that spill over to their on-pitch performance.
They are deserving of their seventh-place ranking from FIFA, and they should find success in Group B, despite being matched against one of the host nations in Australia. The Australians might prove problematic, but Canada should still advance relatively easily given they are far superior to Nigeria and Ireland.
Canada will continue to be led up front by prolific goal scorer and team captain, Christine Sinclair. The recently-turned 40-year old striker has still been able to produce offense for her club side, and could be the first player ever to score goals in six different World Cup tournaments, if she can find the net this summer.
Christine Sinclair. ��@sincy12 | #OTD
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 26, 2023
Canada remains a solid side on the pitch, despite the distractions off it. They are loaded with impressive talent from the net out, and play impressively well without the ball. Bev Priestman is a rigid defensive coach, and Canada’s structure, shape, and ball-winning ability can easily frustrate more skilled sides. Kadeisha Buchanan and Vanessa Gilles are an absolutely solid center-back tandem for the Canadians, and scoring on this squad won’t come easy.
Canada remains quick and lethal on the counter, perhaps even more than what we saw from them in the last Olympics. Jessie Fleming is a savvy distributor in the midfield, and Julia Grosso has been dominant for Juventus this past club season, winning Midfielder of the Season in Italy. It’s a talented duo in the center of the pitch, and one that should be able to hold their own against other impressive squads.
On the attack, Canada remains quite dangerous to opposing defenses. Sinclair continues to find ways to score goals, and is an elite finisher. Her proficiency on both set pieces and in the air will create problems for defenders this summer. She’ll be supported by talented youth, as both Jordyn Huitema and Evelyne Viens are among two of the sport’s best young strikers at the forward position.
Discount the Canadians at your own peril, as this is certainly a sleeper team worthy of a bet for this year’s World Cup. They have the experience in big moments, can raise their game when the stakes are at their highest, and don’t possess any discernible weaknesses. Given their talent and organization, betting Canada at +3300 is one of the best value wagers for this tournament!
Denmark (+6600)
This 2023 Women’s World Cup will be the final one for legendary Danish coach Lars Sondergaard. This Denmark side has registered some impressive showings and results with him at the helm, but a World Cup win to send him out on top, would certainly be quite the feat.
The Danes are certainly a sleeper team worth monitoring, mainly because not much is known about their impressive influx of youth. It’s been said that this is an impressive generation of female footballing stars in Denmark, but this summer’s tournament will represent their first true test.
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— London Is Blue Podcast ⭐️⭐️ (@LondonBluePod) May 10, 2023
Denmark will be led by one of the sport’s best talents in versatile attacker Pernille Harder. Harder does it all for her country, whether it’s scoring goals, or tracking back to win balls and make impressive challenges. She is undoubtedly one of the top talents in the sport right now, and with her on the field, this Danish side has a shot in virtually any match.
Denmark crashed out at last year’s European Championships in the group stage after only scoring one goal, but a slightly easier path this summer at the World Cup should result in them drawing some betting attention as a valuable sleeper team. Sondergaard has also vowed that his Danish side will play more attack-oriented in Australia and New Zealand, and their pace and youth could trouble teams on the counter.
The Danes also enter in impressive form, and have seen better results than many other sides with lesser betting odds than them. They secured a comfortable shutout victory over Japan in recent weeks, and an upcoming test against Spain should allow this pesky Danish side to show their mettle.
Harder will be supported by an impressive tandem of attackers that can finish chances and be creative with the ball at their feet. The duo of Nicoline Sorensen and central striker Signe Brunn enter in great form after impressive seasons with their club teams, and this Danish side cannot be counted out on the attack.
It is true that Denmark have never won an international tournament in their history, but this youthful and energetic version definitely has an outside shot at glory this summer. They’ve been playing impressive soccer in the lead-up to Australia and New Zealand, and their path to advancing out of the group should be straight-forward aside from facing England. The Danes boast impressive star talent who have featured in high-level matches, and their scoring ability will allow them to be in virtually every match. At +6600 odds, Denmark would represent an exciting ticket to be holding given their quality.
Italy (+12500)
The Azzurri of Italy enter this summer’s World Cup still upset over how poorly they fared at last year’s European Championships. What was supposed to be an impressive showing from the Italians didn’t materialize, and an ill-fated tournament saw them bounced in the group stage.
The talent still exists, and despite entering into a transitionary period, coach Milena Bertolini knows what her squad is capable of, and recognizes the ceiling of this impressive group. Within Italy, they’ve introduced a women’s pro league – Serie A, which has further enhanced the quality of their domestic talents. Italy lagged behind other European nations in this regard, but the early returns have been successful, and have produced some exciting young talents.
This summer, they’ll face a stiff group stage test, being slotted into Group G with South Africa, Sweden, and Argentina. The Italians undoubtedly possess the quality to advance from that, but need to ensure they have their tactics and strategy right. Bertolini has implemented an exciting style, one predicated on ball movement, and speed on the attack.
They’ll line-up most often in a 4-3-3 formation, with Valentina Giacinti and Cristiana Girelli providing a real scoring threat for the Azzurri. Girelli is the nation’s most prolific goal-scorer, and her experience will be relied upon for a new wave of Italian players.
Chiara Beccari (18)
Giulia Dragoni (16)
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— Women’s Transfer News (@womenstransfer) July 2, 2023
Their lofty odds can be attributed to a poor run of form, but the players remain talented. Despite the fact that Italy only mustered one point last summer at Euro 2022, the Azzurri deserved a lot better given the chances they created. This is a team that hasn’t yet scratched the surface in terms of potential, and Bertolini is confident she’s figured out a winning recipe prior to this year’s World Cup.
Following some dull offensive showings, Italy boasts a strong group of scorers, both in the midfield and up front. Bertolini’s style is finally getting through to her players, and the results are bound to follow. This is a group that should be stronger on the ball and in attack, and while their defensive game leaves a bit to be desired, the Italian offense is good enough to score their way out of issues.
It is most certainly a real longshot to back a sleeper team with lofty +12500 betting odds, but the Italians can make a shrewd bettor a ton of cash if they can produce a deep run. With impressive youth and a renewed offensive gameplan, the chance for a surprising result definitely exists with the Azzurri in 2023.
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