The Latin American Teams Headed to the Women’s World Cup
The 2023 Women’s World Cup is just around the corner, with the tournament getting started with the opening match taking place on July 20. Among the 32 teams are five Latin American countries looking to make a run this summer.
Here’s a closer look at each of those teams!
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is in Group C with Spain, Zambia, and Japan. When Costa Rica takes the field during the 2023 World Cup, it’ll be just the second time in their country’s history that the women’s team has appeared in the World Cup. The first was in 2015.
Player to Watch
Rocky Rodriguez – Rodriguez has been playing for the Costa Rican senior team since she earned her first cap in 2010. Since then, she’s represented her country 83 times, scoring 45 goals in the process. Rodriguez scored the first goal for Costa Rica at the World Cup back in 2015. She currently plays for the Portland Thorns after joining the Thorns in 2020.
Shirley Cruz – Cruz will likely be the leader of this Costa Rican team when they take the field this summer, much like in 2015 when she was the captain of the World Cup team. The midfielder has over 100 caps for her country and is a terrific presence in the midfield.
Brazil
The 2023 World Cup will be the ninth appearance for Brazil in the tournament. Their best finish came in 2007 when they were the runners-up. In both 2015 and 2019, they exited in the round of 16. Brazil is in a difficult Group F with France, Jamaica, and Panama.
Brazil qualified for the tournament by going undefeated in the Copa América Feminina to win the qualifying tournament.
Players to Watch
Debinha – Debinha is one of the best women’s soccer players in the world right now, and she’s going to be a massive piece for this Brazilian team. In her international career, Debinha has scored 58 goals in 130 appearances; only Marta and Cristiane have scored more.
Marta – It’s difficult to think of Brazilian women’s soccer and not have Marta come to mind. She’s been the face of the team for so long, and she’s one of the best to ever do it. This will be Marta’s sixth World Cup for Brazil, and she’ll, without a doubt, be the leader of a younger Brazil squad.
Panama
This is the first time that Panama has qualified for a Women’s World Cup. It was a difficult road to qualifying, but Panama was able to make history. After the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship, they qualified for the inter-confederation playoffs, where they defeated Papua New Guinea and Paraguay to secure their ticket to the World Cup.
Player to Watch
Lineth Cedeno – Cedeno was the hero of Panama when she scored the winning goal that punched their ticket to the World Cup. She currently plays in Italy’s Serie A with UC Sampdoria. The young forward will likely lead this Panama offense this summer.
Argentina
In July, Argentina will be participating in its fourth Women’s World Cup. At the 2019 World Cup, they were unable to advance through the group stage. They’ll be in Group G with Sweden, South Africa, and Italy.
Player to Watch
Vanina Correa – The goalkeeper is no stranger to the World Cup stage, having represented Argentina at the 2007 and 2019 World Cup. She’ll likely be the starter in goal and the captain of this team.
Colombia
After failing to qualify for the 2019 World Cup, Colombia is back on the field, and the 2023 World Cup will be the third appearance for the country. However, they could have a tough road out of the group stage as they share a group with Germany, Morocco, and Korea Republic.
Players to Watch
Catalina Usme – Usme is Colombia’s leading goal scorer and has been a part of the national team for two previous World Cups and two Olympic games. She currently plays club soccer in Colombia with América Femenino.
Featured image via Getty Images
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