Los Angeles Times

Who will win the World Cup? Japan is the favorite, but others may surprise.

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Women’s soccer passed into the future in this summer’s World Cup. Going forward, the game will always be talked about in terms of two eras: before 2023 and after. It’s not simply that this tournament has been the most competitive and best-played in history — though it certainly has been that. It’s not simply that this tournament has had no favorites and no underdogs — ...
Japan's midfielder Hinata Miyazawa celebrates with her teammates after scoring her team's third goal during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup Group C football match against Spain at Wellington Stadium, also known as Sky Stadium, in Wellington, New Zealand on July 31, 2023.

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Women’s soccer passed into the future in this summer’s World Cup. Going forward, the game will always be talked about in terms of two eras: before 2023 and after.

It’s not simply that this tournament has been the most competitive and best-played in history — though it certainly has been that. It’s not simply that this tournament has had no favorites and no underdogs — though that certainly is true as well.

When the quarterfinals kick off Thursday evening, Pacific time, four of the world’s top eight teams will not be there. No. 2 Germany, No. 7 Canada and No. 8 Brazil didn’t make it

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