In the last episode we saw 15 teams secure their qualification for the 3rd Women's Draft World Cup finals, joining reigning champions Germany to make a 16-team field.
The format for the finals is nice and simple - the classic 4 groups of 4, with the top two in each group progressing to the quarter finals.
The teams were seeded according to past performance, including in qualifying, and it resulted in this draw:
The format for the finals is nice and simple - the classic 4 groups of 4, with the top two in each group progressing to the quarter finals.
The teams were seeded according to past performance, including in qualifying, and it resulted in this draw:
Below we'll quickly preview each group, including listing the 23 players to make each squad. Bear in mind that the squads are based on the 3.0 update of the Women in FM database, so it does not include the latest transfers (such as the high-profile USA players to move to England).
In some cases, teams were marginally short of having a full squad of 23 players, so they have been topped up with low-rated out-of-contract players from the database.
In some cases, teams were marginally short of having a full squad of 23 players, so they have been topped up with low-rated out-of-contract players from the database.
Group A (Germany, Spain, Norway, North Europe)
Germany are the only nation to win the men's DWC more than once (2017 & 2019), and their women's side will be bidding to do the same. They should be comfortable in this group, and the real battle should be to see who joins them.
Spain and Norway both took 11 points in qualifying, whilst North Europe just crept over the line in Spain's group. It would seem likely then that this will be a two-horse race. But stranger things have happened, and North Europe will be coming in with little to lose.
Spain and Norway both took 11 points in qualifying, whilst North Europe just crept over the line in Spain's group. It would seem likely then that this will be a two-horse race. But stranger things have happened, and North Europe will be coming in with little to lose.
GK: Kiedrzynek, Lindahl, Schult
DF: Blasse, Bloodworth, Demann, Doorsoun, Hendrich, Maritz, Schweers
MD: Dickenmann, Gunnarsdóttir, Huth, Jakabfi, Laudehr, Magull, Popp, Rolser
FW: Bremer, Harder, Islacker, Pajor, Rolfo
Key: Bayern Munich, Koln, Wolfsburg
DF: Blasse, Bloodworth, Demann, Doorsoun, Hendrich, Maritz, Schweers
MD: Dickenmann, Gunnarsdóttir, Huth, Jakabfi, Laudehr, Magull, Popp, Rolser
FW: Bremer, Harder, Islacker, Pajor, Rolfo
Key: Bayern Munich, Koln, Wolfsburg
GK: Aline, Gallardo, Panos
DF: Crnogorcevic, Leila, León, Moe Wold, Peter, Torrejón, Tounkara
MD: Asllani, Graham Hansen, Hamraoui, Losada, Meseguer, Sampedro, Toletti, Torrecilla
FW: Corral, Duggan, Hermoso, Martens, Oshoala
Key: Atlético Madrid, Barcelona, Levante, Madrid, Real Madrid, UDG Tenerife
DF: Crnogorcevic, Leila, León, Moe Wold, Peter, Torrejón, Tounkara
MD: Asllani, Graham Hansen, Hamraoui, Losada, Meseguer, Sampedro, Toletti, Torrecilla
FW: Corral, Duggan, Hermoso, Martens, Oshoala
Key: Atlético Madrid, Barcelona, Levante, Madrid, Real Madrid, UDG Tenerife
GK: Esson, Hjelmseth, Micah
DF: Ballisager, Bott, Ebere, Lovgren, Polkinghorne, Ryland, Sigurdardóttir
MD: Bachor, Haavi, Gorry, Nchout, Spitse, Spord, Stanton, Yallop
FW: Cameron, Herlovsen, Markussen, Nautnes, Thorsnes
Key: Arna-Bjornar, Avaldsnes IL, Klepp, LSK Kvinner, Sandviken, Stabæk, Valerenga
DF: Ballisager, Bott, Ebere, Lovgren, Polkinghorne, Ryland, Sigurdardóttir
MD: Bachor, Haavi, Gorry, Nchout, Spitse, Spord, Stanton, Yallop
FW: Cameron, Herlovsen, Markussen, Nautnes, Thorsnes
Key: Arna-Bjornar, Avaldsnes IL, Klepp, LSK Kvinner, Sandviken, Stabæk, Valerenga
GK: Gunnarsdóttir, Szymanska, Tamminen
DF: Cage, Dorr, Gísladóttir, Grad, Piira
MD: Brynjarsdóttir, Chudzik, Chukwudi, Davidson, Fossem, Hassett, Onguéné, Pantsulaia, Tulkki, Yenney
FW: Fedorova, Honnudóttir, Thorvaldsdottir
Key: Aland United (FIN), Breidablik (ISL) CSKA Moscow (RUS), Gintra Universitetas (LTU), HJK Helsinki (Finland), KKPK Medyk Konin (POL), Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur (ISL), Knattspyrnufélagið Valur (ISL), Lokomotiv Moscow (RUS), Selfoss (ISL), unattached
DF: Cage, Dorr, Gísladóttir, Grad, Piira
MD: Brynjarsdóttir, Chudzik, Chukwudi, Davidson, Fossem, Hassett, Onguéné, Pantsulaia, Tulkki, Yenney
FW: Fedorova, Honnudóttir, Thorvaldsdottir
Key: Aland United (FIN), Breidablik (ISL) CSKA Moscow (RUS), Gintra Universitetas (LTU), HJK Helsinki (Finland), KKPK Medyk Konin (POL), Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur (ISL), Knattspyrnufélagið Valur (ISL), Lokomotiv Moscow (RUS), Selfoss (ISL), unattached
Group B (France, Netherlands, Scotland, Rest of World)
Scotland will be a bit disappointed to be third seeds after winning their qualification group, ahead of Spain. But they will still harbour hopes of qualification against Netherlands. Whilst the Dutch are a very strong team in real women's football, most of their key players play overseas.
France, the inaugural winners of the WDWC and reigning men's DWC champions, should have enough to stay above the fray below. Rest of the World were a strong 3rd in qualifying, including a win over Netherlands, so they should also be in the mix.
France, the inaugural winners of the WDWC and reigning men's DWC champions, should have enough to stay above the fray below. Rest of the World were a strong 3rd in qualifying, including a win over Netherlands, so they should also be in the mix.
GK: Bouhaddi, Endler, Peyraud-Magnin
DF: Bronze, Buchanan, Dekker, Greenwood, Lawrence, Mbock, Paredes, Renard
MD: Dabritz, Formiga, Henry, Kumagai, Majri, Marozsán, van de Sanden
FW: Hegerberg, Le Sommer, Nadim, Parris
Key: Lyon, Montpellier, Paris-Saint Germain, unattached
DF: Bronze, Buchanan, Dekker, Greenwood, Lawrence, Mbock, Paredes, Renard
MD: Dabritz, Formiga, Henry, Kumagai, Majri, Marozsán, van de Sanden
FW: Hegerberg, Le Sommer, Nadim, Parris
Key: Lyon, Montpellier, Paris-Saint Germain, unattached
GK: Kop, Santiago, van Veenendaal
DF: Coolen, Dijkstra, van den Berg, van der Gragt, van der Most, van Luntern, Zeeman
MD: E Bakker, L Bakker, Bennink, Biesmans, Munstermann, Pelova, Tillman, van den Bighelaar, Verhoeve
FW: Jansen, Lewerissa, Vonková
Key: Ajax, PSV, SC Woezik, Twente, unattached
DF: Coolen, Dijkstra, van den Berg, van der Gragt, van der Most, van Luntern, Zeeman
MD: E Bakker, L Bakker, Bennink, Biesmans, Munstermann, Pelova, Tillman, van den Bighelaar, Verhoeve
FW: Jansen, Lewerissa, Vonková
Key: Ajax, PSV, SC Woezik, Twente, unattached
GK: Alexander, Fife, Harrison
DF: Brownlie, Docherty, Hunter, McLauchlan, Murray, L Ross, Wilson
MD: Boyle, Clark, Crichton, Gemmell, Green, Lauder, Love, N Ross, Wojcik
FW: Giard, Howat, Ness, Shine
Key: Celtic, Glasgow City, Hibernian, Rangers, Spartans
DF: Brownlie, Docherty, Hunter, McLauchlan, Murray, L Ross, Wilson
MD: Boyle, Clark, Crichton, Gemmell, Green, Lauder, Love, N Ross, Wojcik
FW: Giard, Howat, Ness, Shine
Key: Celtic, Glasgow City, Hibernian, Rangers, Spartans
GK: Fagg, Olla, Skelton
DF: Green, Lucasewich, Paye, Sanchez
MD: Addo, Duncan, Gregorius, Enganmouit, Knott, Shuang, Smeda, Utsugi
FW: Anonma, Chawinga, Dalaf, Eli, Fischer, Fulutidilu, Kete, Ordega
Key: Hapoel Nir Ramat HaSharon (ISR), Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels (CHN), Jiangsu Suning (CHN), Miramar Rangers (NZL), Onehunga Sports (NZL), Shanghai Greenland Shenhua (CHN), Western Springs (NZL), Wuhan Jianghan University (CHN), unattached
DF: Green, Lucasewich, Paye, Sanchez
MD: Addo, Duncan, Gregorius, Enganmouit, Knott, Shuang, Smeda, Utsugi
FW: Anonma, Chawinga, Dalaf, Eli, Fischer, Fulutidilu, Kete, Ordega
Key: Hapoel Nir Ramat HaSharon (ISR), Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels (CHN), Jiangsu Suning (CHN), Miramar Rangers (NZL), Onehunga Sports (NZL), Shanghai Greenland Shenhua (CHN), Western Springs (NZL), Wuhan Jianghan University (CHN), unattached
Group C (USA, Engand, South Europe, Americas)
It would be a major shock if USA and England weren't the two qualifiers from this group. South Europe and Americas do have a bit about them, but the talent on show from the two big teams will surely see them through.
If there is to be an upset, we may get a clue from the opening games. As USA and England face off, the loser (if there is one) will have to be a bit wary of whoever wins between the two outsiders.
If there is to be an upset, we may get a clue from the opening games. As USA and England face off, the loser (if there is one) will have to be a bit wary of whoever wins between the two outsiders.
GK: Franch, Harris, Naeher
DF: Dahlkemper, Ertz, Klingenberg, Krieger, O'Hara, Sauerbrunn, Short, Sonnett
MD: Brian, Dunn, Fishlock, Heath, Horan, Lavelle, Press, Rapinoe
FW: Lloyd, Marta, Morgan, Sinclair
Key: Chicago Red Stars, North Carolina Courage, OL Reign, Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns, Sky Blue, Utah Royals, Washington Spirit
DF: Dahlkemper, Ertz, Klingenberg, Krieger, O'Hara, Sauerbrunn, Short, Sonnett
MD: Brian, Dunn, Fishlock, Heath, Horan, Lavelle, Press, Rapinoe
FW: Lloyd, Marta, Morgan, Sinclair
Key: Chicago Red Stars, North Carolina Courage, OL Reign, Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns, Sky Blue, Utah Royals, Washington Spirit
GK: Bardsley, Berger, Zinsberger
DF: Andersson, Bright, Eriksson, Houghton, Ingle, Maier, Mjelde, Stokes
MD: Groenen, Ji, Little, Nobbs, Scott, van de Donk, Walsh, Weir
FW: Kerr, Kirby, Meidema, White
Key: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United
DF: Andersson, Bright, Eriksson, Houghton, Ingle, Maier, Mjelde, Stokes
MD: Groenen, Ji, Little, Nobbs, Scott, van de Donk, Walsh, Weir
FW: Kerr, Kirby, Meidema, White
Key: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United
GK: Evrard, Hourihan, Vincenti
DF: Borges, Jacques, Meister, Rilany, Silva, Sjoman, Tayla
MD: Georgiou, Gomes, Meyer, Savva, Vitória, Zafeiropoulou
FW: Burger, Keane, Kgatlana, Raquel, Simons, Spetsmark, Stryhalová
Key: Benfica (POR), Braga (POR), First Vienna (AUT), Hradec Králové (CZE), KAA Gent (BEL), KRC Genk (BEL), SKN St Polten (AUT), Slavia Prague (CZE), Sporting CP (POR), unattached
DF: Borges, Jacques, Meister, Rilany, Silva, Sjoman, Tayla
MD: Georgiou, Gomes, Meyer, Savva, Vitória, Zafeiropoulou
FW: Burger, Keane, Kgatlana, Raquel, Simons, Spetsmark, Stryhalová
Key: Benfica (POR), Braga (POR), First Vienna (AUT), Hradec Králové (CZE), KAA Gent (BEL), KRC Genk (BEL), SKN St Polten (AUT), Slavia Prague (CZE), Sporting CP (POR), unattached
GK: Correa, Dalton, Torrero
DF: Barroso, Flores, Galaz, Mawson, Murillo, Romero, Soto, Woeller
MD: Araya, Carter, Hill, Kimball, Lara, Larroquette, López, Sánchez
FW: Calderón, Matthews, Pietrangelo
Key: Central Córdoba (ARG), Colo-Colo (CHI), Guadalajara (MEX), Monterrey (MEX), Santiago Morning (CHI), UAI Urquiza (ARG), unattached
DF: Barroso, Flores, Galaz, Mawson, Murillo, Romero, Soto, Woeller
MD: Araya, Carter, Hill, Kimball, Lara, Larroquette, López, Sánchez
FW: Calderón, Matthews, Pietrangelo
Key: Central Córdoba (ARG), Colo-Colo (CHI), Guadalajara (MEX), Monterrey (MEX), Santiago Morning (CHI), UAI Urquiza (ARG), unattached
Group D (Italy, Brazil, Sweden, Australia)
Italy are probably the most vulnerable of the top seeds, and this is demonstrated by the fact they only just pipped Sweden to top spot in their qualifying group.
Brazil and Australia also shared a qualifying group. With England dominating the two were just able to scrap enough points to finish above Switzerland. This could therefore be a pretty open group.
Brazil and Australia also shared a qualifying group. With England dominating the two were just able to scrap enough points to finish above Switzerland. This could therefore be a pretty open group.
GK: Bacic, Giuliani, Marchitelli
DF: Agard, Arnth, Auvinen, Bartoli, Gama, Salvai, Sembrandt
MD: M Alves, Bernauer, Cernoia, Galli, Guagni, Hegerberg, Pedersen, Rosucci
FW: A Alves, Bonansea, Clelland, De Vanna, Girelli
Key: AC Milan, AS Roma, Fiorentina, Internazionale, Juventus
DF: Agard, Arnth, Auvinen, Bartoli, Gama, Salvai, Sembrandt
MD: M Alves, Bernauer, Cernoia, Galli, Guagni, Hegerberg, Pedersen, Rosucci
FW: A Alves, Bonansea, Clelland, De Vanna, Girelli
Key: AC Milan, AS Roma, Fiorentina, Internazionale, Juventus
GK: Bárbara, Letícia, Luciana
DF: Benites, Érika, Géssica, Maurine, Rosa, Rosana, Simoes, Tamires
MD: Andressinha, Grazi, Larissa, Milene, Nene, Sandrinha, Zanotti
FW: Cristiane, Millene, Nunes, Zaneratto
Key: Corinthians, Ferroviária, Flamengo, Internacional, Kindermann, Santos, Sao Paulo, unattached
DF: Benites, Érika, Géssica, Maurine, Rosa, Rosana, Simoes, Tamires
MD: Andressinha, Grazi, Larissa, Milene, Nene, Sandrinha, Zanotti
FW: Cristiane, Millene, Nunes, Zaneratto
Key: Corinthians, Ferroviária, Flamengo, Internacional, Kindermann, Santos, Sao Paulo, unattached
GK: D'Angelo, Geurts, Musovic
DF: Atladóttir, Barsley, Berglund, Carlsson, Fischer, Jans, Samuelsson, Viggosdóttir
MD: Brown, Dahlkvist, Folkesson, Minde, Okobi, Rubensson, Seger, Troelsgaard, Veje
FW: Blackstenius, Haahr, Schough
Key: Djurgardens, Eskilstuna United, Goteborg, Hammarby, Kristianstad, Linkopings, Rosengard, Umea, Vaxjo DFF, Vittsjo GIK
DF: Atladóttir, Barsley, Berglund, Carlsson, Fischer, Jans, Samuelsson, Viggosdóttir
MD: Brown, Dahlkvist, Folkesson, Minde, Okobi, Rubensson, Seger, Troelsgaard, Veje
FW: Blackstenius, Haahr, Schough
Key: Djurgardens, Eskilstuna United, Goteborg, Hammarby, Kristianstad, Linkopings, Rosengard, Umea, Vaxjo DFF, Vittsjo GIK
GK: Arnold, Dumont, Williams
DF: Allen, Alleway, Catley, Gummer, McCormick, G Simon, Stott
MD: Harrison, Kellond-Knight, Lais, Longo, Luik, Russell
FW: Crummer, Dowie, K Simon
Key: Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar, Melbourne City, Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets, Sydney University, Western Sydney Warriors, unattached
DF: Allen, Alleway, Catley, Gummer, McCormick, G Simon, Stott
MD: Harrison, Kellond-Knight, Lais, Longo, Luik, Russell
FW: Crummer, Dowie, K Simon
Key: Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar, Melbourne City, Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets, Sydney University, Western Sydney Warriors, unattached
So with previews done, all that's left is for the tournament itself! In a controversial move, we're going to start with Group A next time.