2023 Women’s World Cup: Storylines to watch 100 days out as USWNT takes aim at historic three-peat

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is officially 100 days away, and the U.S. Women’s National Team is riding a seven-match win streak as the four-time champions prepare to defend their 2019 title this July in Australia and New Zealand.

The 32-team field for the Women’s World Cup is set after February’s play-in tournament, where Portugal, Haiti and Panama emerged victorious from their respective groups to earn the final three spots in 2023 tournament. This year marks the first time the Women’s World Cup will feature 32 teams – eight more than in 2019. Several nations will make their debut, including Vietnam, which faces the USWNT in its opening group-stage match on July 22 at Eden Park in Auckland. The tournament kicks off with a doubleheader on July 20, with co-hosts New Zealand and Australia taking on Norway and the Republic of Ireland, respectively.

Team USA kicked off 2023 in New Zealand, where they shutout the co-host nation 4-0 on Jan. 17 and and 5-0 on Jan. 20. The USWNT followed up in February with three straight wins to secure its fourth consecutive SheBelieves Cup title, beating No. 6-ranked Canada (2-0), No. 11 Japan (1-0) and No. 9 Brazil (2-1). Most recently, the U.S. beat the Republic of Ireland in the first of two friendlies on home soil, winning 2-0 on April 8 in Austin, Texas. They face the Ireland again Tuesday in what is the USA’s final friendly before head coach Vlatko Andonovski selects his 23-player roster for the 2023 World Cup.

Perhaps the biggest news 100 days out is the injury of Mallory Swanson, who suffered a torn patella tendon in her left knee Saturday during the USA’s win over Ireland. Swanson was leading the USWNT in scoring this year, with seven goals in five games — already tied for the most