It’s still hard to fathom that the 2023 Women’s World Cup has come to an end, brilliant and unforgettable as it was. Our writers have looked at the next World Cup, to be held in 2027, and offered their bold thoughts there. Now it’s time for them to reflect on a summer of scintillating soccer in Australia and New Zealand, recapping their favorite parts of this tournament.
Was Aitana Bonmatí the right choice for Golden Ball? Who would make their individual teams of the tournament? Which player grabs the crown as breakout star, and what was the best moment or goal amid a World Cup filled with them?
Sophie Lawson
WAS THIS THE BEST WOMEN’S WORLD CUP EVER? OK, but how are we ranking “best” here? Most open? Most heartbreaking? Least predictable? Actually the biggest, by land area and/or number of competitors?
It was massive in every sense, and of those I’ve watched/covered (which certainly don’t stretch back that far) it was indeed the best, even if by the end of it, the last teams standing were all from the top 10 in the world, which somewhat offset the feeling that it was such an open tournament.
WHO IS YOUR PICK FOR GOLDEN BALL? Waru, Germany‘s knitted koala Aitana Bonmatí. She’s just had another sensational season with Barcelona and brought that form to the…
