Make no mistake, this group will be England’s to dominate. The Lionesses were the reason England fans were finally able to properly claim “It’s Coming Home,” thanks to a Euro 2022 title, and they are a top contender for the World Cup title. England defeated the U.S. in an October friendly at Wembley and only just saw its 30-match unbeaten streak under manager Sarina Wiegman end in an April loss against Australia. Led by a talented cast of Women’s Super League All-Stars, England will have revenge on its mind after falling to the Americans in the ’19 World Cup semifinals.
But the group’s biggest star may be Denmark’s Pernille Harder. The Chelsea forward is a two-time UEFA Women’s Player of the Year and has scored 70 career international goals in 140 appearances. If she’s fully fit after having suffered a serious hamstring injury last November, Harder will be Denmark’s best chance at advancing to the knockout stage as it looks to channel its run to the Euro 2017 final.
IMAGO
Meanwhile, since losing that epic 1999 World Cup final to the U.S. in a penalty shootout, China has not advanced past the quarterfinals in its last four appearances. The Steel Roses have reason to be concerned after going winless in their last seven matches against World Cup–bound opponents. Haiti, the world’s 53rd-best team, enters its first World Cup on a high after defeating Chile in a qualifying playoff in February. Melchie Dumornay, 19, scored both goals for the Haitians in their surprising win.
Projected Group Finish
- England
- Denmark
- China
- Haiti
Breakout star
Alessia Russo, EnglandWith top forward Beth Mead’s ACL injury and the retirement of scoring legend Ellen White, England will count all the more on the 24-year-old striker. She was one of the top free agents this summer, and after months of courtship—which reportedly included a world-record bid of £500,000—Russo signed with Arsenal after her Manchester United contract ran out. In the Lionesses’ Euro 2022 title run, Russo was second on the team in goals despite not being a starter.
IMAGO
Wild Card
Denmark is in its first World Cup since 2007 and has not advanced out of group play since 1995. It rode a four-game winning streak into the summer, with three coming against tournament teams, but suffered a 2–0 loss to Spain on July 5.
Game of the Group
Denmark vs. China, July 22These teams last met at the Algarve Cup in 2019, when Denmark won 1–0; the winner of this match will likely go on as Group D’s runner-up.
