Spain’s Women’s World Cup Journey: Expectations for 2023
Spain opens its campaign in the 2023 Women’s World Cup, hosted by Australia and New Zealand, on July 20. This marks the team’s third appearance in the tournament, and the squad led by head coach Montse Tomé aims to break past the round of 16 for the first time. The pathway to progress is clear: build on past performances, sharpen tactics, and convert chances when the pressure inside the group stages intensifies.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE 2023 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
How did Spain perform in the last Women’s World Cup?
At the 2019 World Cup in France, Spain achieved its first victory during the tournament’s knockout phase. The Spaniards kicked off their campaign with a 3-1 win over South Africa, turning around a difficult start with an emphatic comeback. Jennifer Hermoso delivered a brace, while Lucía García added another goal, sealing a memorable debut win in the finals competition.
Spain then faced a setback in the group stage results, dropping a 1-0 match to Germany and playing to a 0-0 draw with China. Despite those results, the team advanced to the knockout rounds as the second-placed team in their group, setting up a meeting with the eventual champions, the United States. In a tightly contested game, the American side prevailed 2-1, with Rapinoe converting from the penalty spot to seal the result.
Looking back, the 2019 campaign offered valuable lessons: it demonstrated Spain’s ability to compete against the world’s best and underscored the need for efficiency in front of goal and consistency at the back. The team used the experience to lay a foundation for the next cycle, emphasizing tactical flexibility, athleticism, and the continual development of homegrown talent who could make an impact on the world stage.
The narrative for 2023 centers on translating that potential into sustained performance across a demanding group phase. The squad has been working on improving ball circulation, pressing intensity, and finishing reliability, with a focus on integrating younger players into a cohesive unit that can withstand the tempo of top-tier international football. As the tournament approaches, analysts stress that Spain will need to execute smart game plans against varied opponents and exploit set-piece opportunities that have become a hallmark of modern international women’s football.
Fans and pundits alike highlight the growth of the domestic league as a key driver for national team success. A thriving league environment helps players sharpen decision-making under pressure, fosters healthy competition, and widens the talent pool. The 2023 World Cup provides a platform for Spain to showcase the depth of its talent and to write the next chapter in a budding footballing story that has captured attention across North America and Europe.
As Spain prepares for the July kickoff, the focus remains on building a balanced squad capable of competing with the world’s best over three intense weeks. The team’s supporters in Canada and the United States will be watching closely as the group stage unfolds, hoping to witness a breakthrough performance that could redefine Spain’s standing in women’s football on the global stage.