Group D in this summer's World Cup includes the defending European champions, two top-15 sides in the world rankings, and a determined CONCACAF nation.
Despite the major injuries that Sarina Wiegman's team has sustained during the club campaign, this England side is littered with talent. Captained by Chelsea's Millie Bright in the backline, the English are out to not only call themselves the champions of Europe, but of the world. Even with the struggles recently in friendlies, this coach and her players know what it takes to hoist a major international trophy. With Beth Mead sidelined, Rachel Daly and Arsenal's Alessia Russo will be asked to fill the gaps while Lauren James provides the width on the flank. The only thing that will prevent England from winning Group D is realistically itself.
One of the most remarkable stories of this year's competition is the Haitian Women's National Team. Nicolas Delépine side is currently ranked No. 53 in the FIFA rankings, but with a 2-1 victory over No. 41 Chile in February, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere found themselves in their first ever major tournament. It is the first time since 1974 on either the men's or women's side that a senior international Haitian team has qualified for the World Cup. Just making it this far has provided the entire nation an outlet of joy. Whatever happens next is simply a cherry on top. Led by talented attacker Nérilia Mondésir, arguably the biggest underdog of this whole competition is set to show that they belong.
Denmark, a team that previously had not been at a World Cup since 2007, and China, the AFC Women's Asian Cup holders make up the rest of this group. The two teams are led by two prolific goal scorers on the international level, Wang Shuang and Bayern Munich's Pernille Harder. Racing Louisville's Shuang had five goals in the 2022 Asian Cup. Harder is her nation's all-time leading goal scorer with 70 goals in 144 outings. Both countries will most likely battle it out for that coveted second place spot in Group D.
Women's World Cup 2023 Group D squads:
China
Manager: Shui Qingxia
FIFA World Ranking: 14
Goalkeepers: Pan Hongyan, Xu Huan, Zhu Yu
Defenders: Gao Chen, Chen Qiaozhu, Yao Wei, Wu Haiyan, Wang Linlin, Dou Jiaxing, Li Mengwen
Midfielders: Gu Yasha, Zhang Linyan, Wu Chengshu, Yao Lingwei, Yang Lina, Zhang Rui, Shen Mengyu, Zhang Xin
Forwards: Wang Shuang, Wang Shanshan, Lou Jiahui, Tang Jiali, Xiao Yuyi
Denmark
Manager: Lars Søndergaard
FIFA World Ranking: 13
Goalkeepers: Lene Christensen, Kathrine Larsen, Maja Bay Østergaard
Defenders: Sofie Svava, Luna Gevitz, Frederikke Thøgersen, Katrine Veje, Simone Boye Sørensen, Rikke Sevecke, Stine Ballisager Pedersen
Midfielders: Josefine Hasbo, Karen Holmgaard, Sanne Troelsgaard Nielsen, Emma Snerle, Kathrine Kühl, Sofie Pedersen, Nicoline Sørensen, Janni Thomsen
Forwards: Amalie Vangsgaard, Pernille Harder, Rikke Madsen, Signe Bruun, Mille Gejl
England
Manager: Sarina Wiegman
FIFA World Ranking: 4
Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton, Mary Earps, Ellie Roebuck
Defenders: Niamh Charles, Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood, Millie Bright, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Esme Morgan, Jess Carter
Midfielders: Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, Katie Zelem, Laura Coombs, Jordan Nobbs, Ella Toone
Forwards: Lauren James, Rachel Daly, Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly, Bethany England, Katie Robinson, Alessia Russo
Standby players: Emily Ramsey, Maya Le Tissier, Lucy Staniforth
Haiti
Manager: Nicolas Delépine
FIFA World Ranking: 53
Goalkeepers: Nahomie Ambroise, Kerly Théus, Lara Larco
Defenders: Chelsea Surpris, Ruthny Mathurin, Kethna Louis, Milan Pierre-Jérôme, Esthericove Joseph, Betina Petit-Frère, Tabita Joseph
Midfielders: Jennyfer Limage, Dayana Pierre-Louis, Noa Ganthier, Sherly Jeudy, Danielle Étienne, Melchie Dumornay, Maudeline Moryl
Forwards: Roselord Borgella, Nérilia Mondésir, Batcheba Louis, Roseline Éloissaint, Darlina Joseph, Shwendesky Joseph
Women's World Cup 2023 Group D fixtures:
Matchday One:
England vs. Haiti
Match info: July 22, 2023, 5:30 am EST, Brisbane Stadium
Denmark vs. China
Match info: July 22, 2023, 8:00 am EST, Perth Rectangular Stadium
Matchday Two:
England vs. Denmark
Match info: July 28, 2023, 4:30 am EST, Sydney Football Stadium
China vs. Haiti
Match info: July 28, 2023, 7:00 am EST, Hindmarsh Stadium
Matchday Three:
China vs. England
Match info: August 1, 2023, 7:00 am EST, Hindmarsh Stadium
Haiti vs. Denmark
Match info: August 1, 2023, 7:00 am EST, Perth Rectangular Stadium
Women's World Cup 2023 standings prediction for Group D:
1. England – 9 points
2. Denmark – 4 points
3. China – 2 points
4. Haiti – 1 point
How to watch: FS1, FOX Sports
The Group D winner will play the Group B runners-up while the Group D runners-up will play the Group B winner in the knockout stages. (Group B: Australia, Canada, Nigeria, Republic of Ireland)
