World Cup favorites USA and Spain make their debut this Friday

Day two of the Women’s Football Cup kicks off on Friday (21) at 2:00am (Brasilia time) with Finland vs Switzerland in Group A at the Dunedin Stadium in New Zealand with over 30,000 fans. However, there is great anticipation for the debut of the selections of Spain and the United States, which are considered the two favorites for the title. The Spaniards made their debut at the World Cups only in 2015, and in the last edition, in 2019, they were eliminated by the Americans in the round of 16, after which they won their fourth championship.

Spain, led by attacking midfielder Alexia Butellas, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner (awarded by France Football magazine), takes on Costa Rica in Group C (which also includes Japan and Zambia) at 4:30am. The match is played at the Wellington Regional Stadium in New Zealand’s capital city.

Will Alexia Butellas return to top form on the world stage? 🤔

play #FIFAWWC Now Daily Fantasy! 🎮

— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 20, 2023

The debut of Putellas, the main star of the team, is still in doubt. He returned to training in March this year after eight months on the sidelines after recovering from a ligament injury in his left knee.

“All the players are ready for tomorrow,” coach Jorge Wilda said in a press conference this Thursday (20). “In Alexia’s case, she improvises all the training sessions to be with us. We are very careful in everything we do”.

The 23rd.

We can’t wait to represent you 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/mXjaRRAZ08

— US Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 10, 2023

The North American qualifier, which ends on Friday (21st), faces newcomers Vietnam (32nd), the leader of the FIFA World Rankings. The Group E (Holland and Portugal complete the group) clash begins at 22:00 at the Eden Park stadium in Auckland (New Zealand), the opening venue of the World Cup.

“We have to get through this game before we even think about talking about the second game,” defenseman Crystal Dunn said during a press conference. “We haven’t played against Vietnam, which we have some pictures of, but obviously we haven’t played against them, but I think they will play a great game, we know that”, he concluded.

The stage is set! 🤩
Who will claim #FIFAWWC? 🏆#beyondproud pic.twitter.com/aaf9lt8zFf

— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) October 22, 2022

* With information from Reuters.