Best players, fixtures, route to final & more

Germany are among one of the favourites to go all the way at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, with Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s side looking to avenge their Euro 2022 heartbreak.

Die Frauen-Nationalmannschaft took hosts England all the way to extra-time in that final and were beaten by a late sucker-punch from Chloe Kelly.

Unlike some of the other contenders to become world champions this summer, Germany have most of their star and core players fit and available.

Here’s everything you need to know about their quest to win the World Cup for the first time in 16 years.

Women’s World Cup

Women’s European Championship

Germany, as expected, were able to waltz through their qualifying group without breaking too much of a sweat. They won nine of their ten matches and were victorious by three or more goals in seven.

Their only defeat came in a shock 3-2 loss at Serbia, by which point they had essentially punched their ticket to Australia and New Zealand anyway.

Alexandra Popp

Germany legend Alexandra Popp headed to Euro 2022 off the back of some nasty and major injuries, facing a race against time to even make the tournament.

She managed to prove her fitness but was expected to play second fiddle to the emerging Lea Schuller, but the veteran won back her place and finished as the competition’s top scorer alongside Beth Mead.

Popp was, however, forced out of the final with an injury in the warm-up and Germany were beaten by hosts England. Following a prolific season back at club level with Wolfsburg, she’ll be determined to lead her country to glory whatever the cost this year.

Lena Oberdorf

While Germany were losing finalists in their last major tournament, they were at least able to rest a little easier knowing their long-term future was safe with Lena Oberdorf in midfield.

The Wolfsburg starlet won the tournament’s best young player award, exclusively telling 90min during their run to Wembley that she was desperate to continue learning and playing at the highest level.

In the lead up to the World Cup, Oberdorf has been one of the poster girls of adidas’ usual pre-tournament campaign. They don’t just hand out those spots to any old player.

Sara Dabritz

With 97 caps at the age of only 28, Popp is the only player to have made more Germany appearances than Sara Dabritz in this summer’s squad.

One of just three players to ply their trade outside of the Frauen-Bundesliga, the midfielder remains a crucial cog in Germany’s system and will take on more importance now that Dzsenifer Marozsan has decided to hang up her international boots.

Martina Voss-Tecklenburg

After establishing Switzerland as a competitive European outfit in six years in charge, Germany legend Martina Voss-Tecklenburg was drafted in as Die Frauen-Nationalmannschaft’s new manager on the eve of the 2019 World Cup.

They crashed out at the quarter-final stage, but after an impressive Euro 2022 campaign in which they silenced a lot of doubters who were uncertain over their progress, Germany and Voss-Tecklenburg have established themselves as powerhouses once more.

Voss-Tecklenburg retired from playing shortly before Germany won their two World Cups in the 2000s. She’ll be desperate to get her hands on a gold medal as a manager instead.

With a relatively easy group stage draw, Germany should be able to secure a route to the last 16 without too much hassle.

However, they are likely to face one of Brazil or France in the last 16, though they should fancy their chances against anyone Down Under.

England could await them in the quarter-finals and allow Voss-Tecklenburg’s charges a perfect shot at revenge for the Euros. Australia are expected to make the last four, with the United States pretty much pencilled in for the final.

Germany provide a promising mix of experience and youth, veteran stars with young up-and-comers. Most of their current cohort are still sore from the wounds of the Euros and there would be no greater comeback than conquering the world, particularly if they do meet England along the way and dump out the hosts.

Their roadmap to such glory is daunting on paper, but there are few nations that have continually rolled through the globe’s most menacing teams the way that Germany historically have.

It’s been 16 years since Germany last won the Women’s World Cup, 16 years since they even reached a final to cement their spot as a top-two team. It’s about time that changed.

Prediction: Runner-up