The 2023 FIFA World Cup in Australia and New Zealand is well underway, with some of the best players around the world now representing their national teams. It’s been an incredible run so far, clearly showing the world why women’s soccer deserves more attention and care throughout the season, not just when the World Cup’s around.
The World Cup has also been in the spotlight thanks to a free update now available on FIFA 23. The update comes with a variety of modes, such as Kick-off, and the ability to play the entire tournament and represent your country on the pitch.
Of course, we couldn’t miss the chance to play and simulate the World Cup to have a sneak peek at who’s going to win it according to the game. United States is the favorite with four wins in 1991, 1999, 2015, and 2019, but Spain, England, and Australia all have what it takes to reach the grand final.
So here’s all FIFA 23 had to say about the FIFA World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023.
The group stage was tough and challenging for each and every one of our favorites, but there was no surprise elimination before the Quarter Finals. Here, Sam Kerr’s Australia was defeated by Jamaica, and France smashed England for a quite unexpected 0-3.
The semi-finals witnessed one of the biggest matches you could wish to see in the World Cup 2023, as Team USA and Spain faced each other in a dramatic 1-0 win for the USWNT. Two-time Ballon d’Or winner, 91-rated Alexia Putellas’ run ended in third place, after beating Jamaica at penalties.
On the other hand, France easily got rid of Jamaica and reached the grand final. And what a grand final it was. France had more possession, and overall had to take the initiative as the United States had the lead with an early goal from Rodman. It took a while, but the Europeans managed to draw at 84’ with Toletti, and the match looked destined for extra time.
However, at just one minute from the end, Dunn scored again for the US, granting the Americans a climatic win, and their fifth World Cup. That was intense.
Looking at individual performances, FIFA 23 also announced a few awards after the grand final. Spain’s Mariona was named the top player of the FIFA World Cup, and also won the Golden Boot thanks to her 6 goals. Jamaica’s Shaw also scored 6 goals.
Denmark’s Lene Christensen was named Goalkeeper of the tournament, with two clean sheets from 4 matches. Spain’s Putellas and Mariona also offered 3 assists in 7 matches, even though Canada’s Fleming had the best ratio (3 assists in just 3 matches).
This was the Team of the Tournament:
- Naeher (United States)
- Fox (United States)
- Renard (France)
- Girma (United States)
- Périsset (France)
- Mariona (Spain)
- Horan (United States)
- Dunn (United States)
- Diani (France)
- Shaw (Jamaica)
- Morgan (United States)
Of course, most of the players were from the United States as they ultimately won the World Cup, but it’s good to see France, Jamaica, and Spain so well represented.
Could this be it? We’ll see how reliable FIFA 23 ends up being this time around in a couple of weeks, with Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand reaching an end with Aug. 20’s grand final.
In the meantime, it’s worth noting that EA Sports’ official simulation was right for the fourth time in a row with the World Cup in 2022, so maybe you’d better not underestimate our prediction.
Written by Paolo Sirio on behalf of GLHF.