Spain at the Women's World Cup 2023: Best players, fixtures, route to final & more

Spain go into the 2023 Women's World Cup among the teams favoured by bookmakers, having been able to bring Alexia Putellas back into the squad following the ACL injury she cruelly suffered on the even of Euro 2022 last summer.

La Roja subsequently struggled to give their best at the Euros amid suggestions that head coach Jorge Vilda was in charge of a hostile environment that later resulted in 15 players each sending an email to the Spanish football federation (RFEF) in September 2022 refusing to be called up until change happened. What followed was a messy back and forth, with allegations and counter claims being made, all the while RFEF stuck by Vilda and he refused to step down.

Some of the situation has been resolved, but not entirely. Three of the players who sent emails - Aitana Bonmati, Mariona Caldentey and Ona Batlle - have been recalled. Putellas, captain Irene Paredes and veteran striker Jenni Hermoso supported the revolt but never officially joined it and also in New Zealand. But key players Mapi Leon and Patri Guijarro reiterated their refusal to be called up publicly, while others among the group of 15 like Sandra Panos and Lucia Garcia were left out.

Since exiting Euro 2022 at the hands of England, La Roja have actually only lost once - against Australia in February - and have won 11 of 13 games, plus a behind closed doors friendly. That run has even included a victory over the United States.

For all that they have many of the most talented players in the world, Spain have only won a single World Cup game to date out of seven played, such has been their rapid rise at international level.

Spain Women's tournament history

Women's World Cup

Women's European Championship

Spain Women's World Cup 2023 qualifying record

World Cup qualifying had been concluded prior to the 15 players declaring themselves unavailable for selection in late September 2022. Spain had already won all eight of their games, scoring 53 goals in the process and not conceding even once. Amaiur Sarriegi, not in the squad, top scored with 11.

Spain Women's World Cup 2023 squad

Spain Women's World Cup 2023 best players

Alexia Putellas

Losing Alexia Putellas on the eve of Euro 2022 was an almighty blow. She was Ballon d'Or holder at the time and went on to claim it again later that year because of the incredible things she had done with Barcelona the previous season - the only female player to retain the award to date.

The midfielder brings goals and creativity, but is still feeling her way back towards full match fitness. She returned to the pitch at the end of April after more than 10 months out, but all six appearances before the end of the season all came as a substutute - including the Champions League final. Starts against Panama and Denmark in warm-up games for this tournament have since followed.

Aitana Bonmati

What kept Barcelona ticking last season in the absence of Putellas was Aitana Bonmati. She had previously been the best player in the 2021 Champions League final when Barcelona thrashed Chelsea and has only gone from strength to strength since then.

The tenacious 25-year-old excels on both sides of the ball, with one of the best brains anywhere in world football. There is an argument to suggest that she is only just getting into her peak now, which is a scary thought in itself, and her return after self-enforced wilderness is a huge boost for Spain.

Ona Batlle

Another hugely important player for Spain who risked not being involved at all is Ona Batlle, with the full-back returning to the fold. She is arguably the best in the world in her position, having flourished during three years with Manchester United at club level.

Failure to agree a new contract in England has pushed Batlle back to Barcelona, where she may initially feature at left-back rather than her favoured spot on the right, the club at which she began her career. Expect dyanamism at both ends of the pitch, with excellent covering and driving runs forward.

Spain Women's World Cup 2023 manager

Jorge Vilda

Senior stars like Jenni Hermoso and Patri Guijarro, the latter of whom has refused to end her national team boycott, denied asking for Jorge Vilda to be sacked last September. But the reality is the ugly situation that arose could have been avoided with better management of the environment amid allegations over the way players have been treated and dissatisfaction over tactics and preparation.

His father, Angel, was a former fitness coach at Barcelona under Johan Cruyff, before joining RFEF to coach women's football. Vilda Jr. followed in those footsteps in 2009, working with Spain's Under-17 and Under-19 teams, before being appointed head coach of the senior side in 2015.

Spain Women's World Cup 2023 fixtures - Group C

Spain Women's World Cup 2023 route to the final

If Spain win Group C as expected, it would mean a last 16 clash with the runner-up from Group A - a favourable tie against Norway or Switzerland. A quarter-final on that path would likely be against a Sweden team that habitually reach the latter stages of tournaments. Should the Spaniards get through that, a semi-final against probably the United States awaits, which would arguably be a tougher game than a potential final against Germany, France, Australia or England.

Spain Women's World Cup 2023 prediction

Even not quite at full strength, things are better than they were only a few months ago and Spain should still comfortably top Group C ahead of a Japan side that isn't a patch on the golden generation that won the World Cup in 2011. Costa Rica will provide minimal resistance, with Zambia the most likely to cause a shock after their recent win over Germany.

The last 16 should still be a breeze, but potentially getting Sweden in the last eight could cause problems. For all that Spain are probably better on paper, sometimes there is no trade-off for experience as a unit and the Swedes are more likely to get through on know-how.

Prediction: Quarter-finals

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