By OkayGoal 
The footballing world is gearing up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, and it’s fair to say that anticipation has already reached a fever pitch, even three months out from the tournament. Three years ago, however, it was the women who were on center stage as they embarked upon the Land Down Under to battle it out for the top prize in the women’s game. And what a tournament it was.
The hosting Matildas made it to the semifinals, despite superstar Sam Kerr missing most of the tournament. Powerhouse USA was out in the second round after losing a thrilling penalty shootout to Sweden, ending their eight-year reign as Queens in disastrous fashion. Spain and England, meanwhile, would go on to reach the final, battling it out in Sydney, with Olga Carmona’s first-half goal enough to secure a maiden title for La Roja.
But with the men’s showpiece set to dominate the headlines this summer, how are the male counterparts of each of the two 2023 Women’s World Cup finalists shaping up? Let’s take a look.
Spain’s Women Shine Down Under
Spain’s women were the ones who shone three years ago. Much like their male counterparts at Euro 2024, they flew somewhat under the radar heading to Australia, with onlookers knowing the quality in their ranks with the likes of Carmona, Alexia Putellas, and the best player on the planet, Aitana Bonmatí. Still, their Women’s Euro 2022 quarterfinal exit to England stopped most from jumping on the bandwagon.
Luckily, the Spanish would get their chance at revenge against the Lionesses. After dispatching Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Sweden, Bonmatí and Co. secured a rematch with England with the biggest prize in the game on the line. And this time around, they would make no mistake as Carmona’s well-taken winner took the Women’s World Cup back to Madrid for the first time ever.
Can Luis de la Fuente’s Side Follow in the Women’s Footsteps?
When it comes to the men’s team, online betting sites make Spain the ones to beat. The latest World Cup odds list Luis de la Fuente’s men as a 9/2 favorite to leave MetLife Stadium with the trophy this summer, and with the likes of Lamine Yamal leading the way, perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised. They stormed through qualifying, netting a mighty 21 goals against just two conceded in six games, and if we look back to Euro 2024, they have already proven they have the pedigree.
Not many fancied a young Spain side to rule over Europe two years ago, but they did exactly that, and like the women, it was England they beat in the final. Mikel Oyarzabal’s last-gasp winner in Berlin was enough to secure a record-breaking fourth European crown, and now they head to North America looking to follow in their female compatriots’ footsteps by winning the World Cup.
England’s European Champion Lionesses
When it comes to England’s men’s team, the history books tell repeated tales of heartbreak. For the Lionesses, however, it’s a different story entirely.
Sarina Wiegman’s ladies ruled over Europe in the summer of 2022 when they won the Women’s Euro on home turf, beating Germany in the final. They would go on to reach the World Cup final 18 months later, where Spain would upset the odds to claim the crown. However, in the summer of 2025, just as the Spanish had their revenge, the Lionesses would also have theirs.
England headed to Switzerland last summer unfancied. Many of their stars of previous campaigns, such as goalkeeper Mary Earps and captain Millie Bright, were no longer in the fold, and the opening day 2-1 defeat to France seemingly confirmed their status. Then, the fairytale run commenced.
The Lionesses rallied from two goals down in the quarterfinals to eventually beat Sweden on penalties. They then scored a 96th-minute equalizer against Italy in the semifinals and a 119th-minute winner. If that wasn’t enough, they would head into the final as 4/1 underdogs against Spain, only to secure a 1-1 draw before winning another penalty shootout to successfully defend their Euro crown.
At the 2023 Women’s World Cup, sandwiched between those two Euro triumphs, England were at their brilliant best again, powering their way to the final. Spain would enjoy their finest hour in the Australian sun, but not before the Lionesses proved to the world that they are a major player in the women’s game. Now, the men’s team aims to do the same in North America.
Ending 60 Years of Hurt
Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions head across the pond as 11/2 second-favorites behind Spain, the team that beat them in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin. But with 60 long years of hurt trailing them like an unwanted shadow, history isn’t on their side. England have reached each of the last two men’s Euro finals, losing both, unlike the Lionesses, who managed to reign supreme on both occasions.
The Three Lions were recently beaten 1-0 at home by unheralded Japan in their final friendly match before Tuchel decides his World Cup squad, setting alarm bells ringing. Similar displays this summer won’t get them anywhere close to the final, let alone a first World Cup crown since 1966.
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