AUCKLAND, New Zealand — United States women’s national team midfielder Kristie Mewis and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher have said they are glad to see the Women’s World Cup be more competitive than it has ever been as they as they prepare to defend the trophy having won it in 2019 and 2015.
The USWNT have won four World Cups, more than any other team, but conventional wisdom — including from USWNT players — is that there are more viable contenders in this 2023 tournament than previous editions of the Women’s World Cup.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
“It’s incredible. I think it’s such a good thing. This is what we want, we want all women’s teams to get better and better, and we want to get better and better,” Mewis said. “It’s such a [good] time to be in women’s sports and to be following women’s sports.
“We encourage it but obviously we still want to be the best so we’re going to keep pushing the limit and everybody else can try to follow us.”
The U.S. are the favourites to win the tournament which starts on Thursday and lift what would be the country’s third consecutive World Cup.
“It’s always tough being at the top because everyone’s chasing you and giving you their best game, but there’s no place you’d rather be,” Mewis said.
“You want to be at the top, you want to be the best team. It’s definitely hard at times but this team historically has handled it so well and been consistent with it.”
