The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is less than a year away, with the countdown to Australia and New Zealand officially on.

The U.S. women’s national team will look to defend its 2015 and 2019 titles — and the squad has a lot to prove after a disappointing bronze-medal performance in Tokyo.

The women’s game, however, has changed rapidly since 2019’s World Cup in France, and plenty of challengers will look to derail the USWNT’s bid for a three-peat.

Biggest threats to USWNT’s World Cup defense

England

Fresh off a thrilling victory at the UEFA Women’s EURO, England looks more dominant than ever. The Lionesses took out Spain, Sweden and Germany on their road to the title, a promising sign for the team’s World Cup hopes.

The England squad of 2023 will look much different than the one that fell to the USWNT in the 2019 World Cup semifinal.

First and foremost, the Lionesses have a new coach in Sarina Wiegman, who led the Netherlands to a World Cup final against the USWNT in 2019. Under Wiegman, England looks much more organized, with a well-oiled attack.

The Lionesses, much like the USWNT, have ushered in a new era, with Alessia Russo and Beth Mead stepping up as veterans Ellen White and Jill Scott announce their retirements.

England is a much-improved team since its 2-0 loss to the United States at the 2020 SheBelieves Cup, and the team will be eager to show off its current form when the two squads clash in October in a friendly at Wembley Stadium.

CHLOE. KELLY. @Chloe_Kelly98 😱#WEURO2022 pic.twitter.com/TgTUvvZJW3

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Germany

Never count out Germany.

While the Germans fell to England in the Euro final and were stunned by Sweden in the quarterfinals of the 2019 World Cup, the European powerhouse is still a favorite heading into Australia and New Zealand next July.

With more youth being integrated into the team’s roster, the German team looks sharper this World Cup cycle. The mix of young talent with proven veterans like Alexandra Popp has created a squad with the experience and drive necessary for a World Cup run.

France

France will be a force to be reckoned with at the upcoming World Cup, especially if Marie-Antoinette Katoto is fully recovered in time for the tournament.

The star striker had an impressive 2022 as the anchor to Les Bleus’ attack before suffering an ACL tear during France’s Euro campaign,. For club Paris Saint-Germain, Katoto registered 18 goals in 21 regular-season appearances during her 2021-2022 Division 1 Féminine run.

France will hope Katoto returns to form in time for Australia and New Zealand, which would allow her to join the likes of Delphine Cascarino, Kadidiatou Diani and Grace Geyoro on a young and eager roster.

Les Bleus will also enjoy a more relaxed environment in 2023, away from the limelight and pressure of playing hosts in 2019.

Marie-Antoinette Katoto doubles France's lead over Italy 👏🇫🇷

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— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) July 10, 2022

Spain

Spain has been a thorn in the side of the USWNT in recent years, with the United States battling to a narrow 2-1 win in the 2019 World Cup and a 1-0 victory in January 2019.

Since their last meeting, Alexia Putellas has emerged as one of, if not the best, players in the world for Spain. Should she be able to fully recover from her ACL tear in time for the 2023 World Cup, Spain could spell trouble for the USWNT.

Spain likes to dominate possession, a style of play that the USWNT has traditionally struggled against. The USWNT wants to dictate tempo, but against Spain, the United States will have to be comfortable playing without the ball for prolonged periods.

Should Spain’s Putellas and Jenni Hermoso return from injury, Spain will be in an excellent position to challenge the USWNT down under.

Honorable mention: Brazil

Though Brazil has suffered losses to France, Denmark and Sweden in 2022, the Pia Sundhage-led squad may come up big in Australia and New Zealand. Sundhagen has Brazil playing a disciplined game, grounding a capable attack propelled by Debinha and Kerolin.

The WNBA is back in action on Tuesday night, as the Indiana Fever and Seattle Storm headline a series of games that could make or break the current trajectories of several 2025 title contenders.

Seeking an especially strong Tuesday performance is the Fever, as Indiana tries to snap a two-game losing streak against the increasingly confident Storm.

"There are going to be stretches that are really good and there's going to be stretches that aren't as good," Fever guard Caitlin Clark said on Sunday, addressing her recent shooting slump.

While the Indiana and Seattle clash will lead the Tuesday charge, the night will also see young squads sizing up WNBA juggernauts as bottom-table teams look for a leg up:

• No. 8 Indiana Fever vs. No. 5 Seattle Storm, 10 PM ET (NBA TV): The Fever need a win against a Storm side that can't seem to lose, as both teams eye the postseason.

• No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 9 Washington Mystics, 8 PM ET (WNBA League Pass): The up-and-coming Mystics will attempt to hand the Lynx a second season loss, as Minnesota star Napheesa Collier remains day-to-day with lower back stiffness.

• No. 4 Atlanta Dream vs. No. 12 Dallas Wings, 8 PM ET (WNBA League Pass): The Dream are on a tear, surging up the standings as the struggling Wings attempt to take flight.

• No. 10 LA Sparks vs. No. 11 Chicago Sky, 8 PM ET (NBA TV): The Sparks have cooled after a hot start while the Sky has yet to rev up, with both teams aiming to end a three-game losing streak on Tuesday night.

Teams across the league are hoping to make the most of every minute while also managing injury concerns and absences as the WNBA All-Star break looms.

The WNBA Class of 2025 is already making its mark on the league, with first-year players stepping up and showing out while the Rookie of the Year race — and betting odds — heat up.

No. 1 draft pick Paige Bueckers has been just as good as advertised, with the Dallas Wings guard leading her class in both minutes played and points per game while also charting league-wide in assists per game, steals per game, and mid-range shots made.

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DraftKings currently has Bueckers as the clear WNBA Rookie of the Year race frontrunner at -1,000, though the dynamic DC duo of guard Sonia Citron (+1,500) and forward Kiki Iriafen (+1,000) are quickly gaining traction.

Iriafen won May's WNBA Rookie of the Month award after a series of career-opening double-doubles, while her Washington Mystics teammate Citron has continued to execute in the clutch — most recently posting a career-high double-double performance of 27 points and 11 rebounds in last Sunday's 91-88 overtime win over Dallas.

"Not only is [Iriafen] holding her own, she's excelling," Citron told JWS earlier this month. "And seeing that is just incredible."

"Soni just does all the little things," Iriafen added. "She doesn't shortcut anything, she's doing the fundamentals, she doesn't cheat the game at all."

Though the NWSL hit the pause button this week, players worldwide are still on the move, as both European and US soccer teams use the midseason break to sharpen their lineups with international signings.

The NWSL has already seen one major departure, with the San Diego Wave announcing Monday that forward María Sánchez will return to her former Liga MX club UANL Tigres after nearly five years in the NWSL, with the Wave set to receive an undisclosed transfer fee in return.

"When the opportunity came to return to Tigres, I had to do a lot of inner searching, and I ultimately decided that returning to Liga MX Femenil and Tigres specifically was the best course of action for my career," the 29-year-old dual citizen and Mexico international player said in the Wave's release.

NWSL clubs are also setting their sights on European free agents, with the Washington Spirit bringing in Juventus forward Sofia Cantore last week — the first Italian signing in league history.

Also hopping aboard the player transaction carousel is new WSL side London City, with the top-flight debutantes inking OL Lyonnes midfielder and Dutch international Daniëlle van de Donk on Friday.

Meanwhile, van de Donk's wife and club teammate Ellie Carpenter is also potentially WSL-bound, with the defender reportedly nearing a deal that would see the Australian join Chelsea FC in return for the Blues sending Canadian international Ashley Lawrence to OL Lyonnes.

For their part, OL Lyonnes picked up defender Ingrid Engen from Barcelona as a free agent last week, adding the Norwegian international after snagging French forward and PSG's all-time leading scorer Marie-Antoinette Katoto earlier this month.

With the most recent NWSL CBA abolishing traditional trade windows, expect even more international signings and roster reshufflings before the league resumes play on August 1st.

San Diego is paying tribute to one of their own, with the Wave announcing plans to retire the No. 13 jersey of NWSL and USWNT legend Alex Morgan on September 7th.

Still topping the team's all-time scoring leaderboard with 23 goals in just over two seasons with San Diego, the retired club captain will be the first-ever Wave player to receive the prestigious honor.

Morgan also led San Diego to the 2023 NWSL Shield as well as postseason appearances in the 2022 expansion club's first two seasons.

"Alex's legacy goes far beyond goals and accolades. She helped lay the foundation for this club and elevated the standard for what women's soccer is today," said Wave FC governor Lauren Leichtman in the team's Tuesday announcement.

"She made this city her home, inspired our fans and community, and helped define who we are," Leichtman continued. "Her impact will be felt for generations, and it's only fitting that her number becomes a permanent part of Wave FC history." 

Morgan joined the Southern California squad's ownership group just last month, saying "San Diego is where I've built my home, where I am raising my children, and found a purpose beyond my playing career."

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How to attend the San Diego jersey retirement of Alex Morgan

San Diego will officially retire Morgan's No. 13 jersey during their home match against the Houston Dash at 8 PM ET on September 7th.

Tickets to the game will go on sale to the general public online at 6 PM ET on Tuesday.