Chances of qualifying in the world cup 2019 women's football

Understanding the qualification landscape for the 2019 tournament

The FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, hosted in France, marked a significant milestone in women's football, expanding to 24 teams from the previous 16. This expansion inherently increased the chances of qualifying in the world cup 2019 women's football for many nations, allowing a broader spectrum of countries to vie for a spot on the global stage. The qualification process was a grueling journey spanning over two years, commencing as early as April 2017, and involving 146 national teams across six confederations.

Each confederation - UEFA (Europe), CONCACAF (North, Central America, and Caribbean), AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), CONMEBOL (South America), and OFC (Oceania) - developed its unique qualification tournaments. These pathways considered FIFA rankings, historical performance, and regional rivalries, all contributing to the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of who would ultimately secure a berth. The stakes were incredibly high, with dreams of national glory resting on every match.

Regional qualification paths and allocated slots

The distribution of qualification slots was a critical determinant of the chances of qualifying in the world cup 2019 women's football for teams in different regions. France, as the host nation, received an automatic spot, leaving 23 places to be contested:

• UEFA (Europe): 8 direct slots (plus host France). Europe's qualification involved a preliminary round, followed by a group stage, and then a two-round play-off among the best group runners-up. The competition was fierce, with established powerhouses like Germany, England, and Sweden securing their spots, alongside emerging teams like Scotland, who qualified for their first-ever Women's World Cup.
• CONCACAF (North, Central America, and Caribbean): 3 direct slots and 1 inter-confederation play-off slot. The CONCACAF Women's Championship served as the primary qualification tournament. The United States and Canada, perennial favorites, cruised through, while Jamaica made history by securing their first World Cup appearance, demonstrating how increased slots improved the chances of qualifying in the world cup 2019 women's football for developing nations.
• AFC (Asia): 5 direct slots. The AFC Women's Asian Cup doubled as the qualification tournament. Traditional strongholds like Japan, Australia, China PR, and South Korea qualified, with Thailand also securing a place, highlighting the growing strength of Asian women's football.
• CAF (Africa): 3 direct slots. The Africa Women Cup of Nations determined the qualifiers. Nigeria, South Africa, and Cameroon emerged victorious, showcasing the competitive spirit of African teams.
• CONMEBOL (South America): 2 direct slots and 1 inter-confederation play-off slot. The Copa América Femenina was the decider. Brazil and Chile secured the direct spots, with Chile also making their debut appearance. Argentina entered the inter-confederation play-offs, underscoring the high stakes.
• OFC (Oceania): 1 direct slot. The OFC Women's Nations Cup was the pathway. New Zealand, as expected, dominated the competition, securing their consistent presence at the World Cup.

The inter-confederation play-offs provided a final lifeline, dramatically influencing the chances of qualifying in the world cup 2019 women's football for teams from CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, and OFC.

Key contenders and their high chances

Before the qualification tournaments even began, several nations were widely considered to have exceptionally high chances of qualifying in the world cup 2019 women's football. These teams typically boasted strong domestic leagues, extensive player development programs, high FIFA rankings, and a history of deep runs in major tournaments.

• United States: As the reigning champions and perennial global leaders, the USWNT's qualification was almost a foregone conclusion. Their depth of talent, tactical prowess, and competitive drive made them overwhelming favorites in CONCACAF.
• Germany: A two-time World Cup winner, Germany's structured approach to women's football ensured their consistent presence. They qualified comfortably from UEFA, demonstrating their enduring strength.
• England: Having reached the semi-finals in 2015, England's Lionesses were on a clear upward trajectory. Their FA Women's Super League (WSL) had significantly bolstered their player pool, making their qualification highly probable.
• Canada: Consistent performers in CONCACAF, Canada's blend of experienced veterans and exciting young talent cemented their status as a top contender for a qualification spot.
• Australia: The Matildas, with their dynamic attacking style, were a dominant force in Asia. Their strong international presence and consistent performances made their qualification from the AFC a strong likelihood.
• Japan: Former World Cup winners (2011), Japan's technical skill and disciplined play ensured they remained one of Asia's top teams, with solid chances of qualifying in the world cup 2019 women's football.

These teams rarely faced genuine threats to their qualification, though the level of competition continued to rise globally.

Underdogs and surprising qualifiers: defying the odds

While some teams were expected to qualify, the expansion of the tournament also opened doors for nations with historically lower chances of qualifying in the world cup 2019 women's football. These teams often provided the most captivating storylines of the qualification cycle.

• Scotland: For the first time in their history, Scotland qualified for the Women's World Cup. Their journey through the UEFA qualifiers was a testament to years of development and investment in the women's game. Facing tough opposition, they secured their spot by topping their group, bypassing the need for play-offs.
• Jamaica: The "Reggae Girlz" made headlines globally by becoming the first Caribbean nation to qualify for a FIFA Women's World Cup. Their journey was particularly poignant, involving significant fundraising efforts and relying on players mostly based in the US collegiate system. Their victory over Panama in the CONCACAF third-place play-off was a historic moment.
• Chile: Another first-time qualifier, Chile's La Roja Femenina secured one of CONMEBOL's direct spots. This achievement reflected the growth of women's football in South America beyond Brazil, proving that the chances of qualifying in the world cup 2019 women's football were broadening for the continent.
• South Africa: Banyana qualified for their inaugural World Cup after reaching the final of the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations. Their achievement highlighted the improving standards and competitiveness within CAF women's football.

These surprising qualifications not only added diversity to the tournament but also served as a powerful inspiration for aspiring female footballers in their respective countries, demonstrating that with dedication, the long-shot chances of qualifying in the world cup 2019 women's football could indeed become a reality.

Factors influencing qualification prospects

Assessing the chances of qualifying in the world cup 2019 women's football for any team involved evaluating a multitude of factors, not just past performance. These elements collectively shaped a team's journey through the grueling qualification campaigns:

• FIFA Rankings and Seeding: Rankings often determined group placements, meaning higher-ranked teams typically faced easier paths initially. However, upsets were always a possibility, as seen when lower-ranked teams surprised stronger opponents.
• Strength of Domestic Leagues: Nations with robust professional or semi-professional leagues, like those in the USA, Germany, England, and France, often produced more technically proficient and match-ready players, giving their national teams a significant advantage.
• Player Development and Youth Programs: A strong pipeline of young talent was crucial for sustained success. Countries investing in youth academies and age-group national teams found their chances of qualifying in the world cup 2019 women's football bolstered in the long run.
• Coaching and Tactical Acumen: The leadership on the sidelines played a pivotal role. Effective coaching could elevate a team's performance, adapt to different opponents, and manage the psychological pressures of high-stakes matches. For instance, the tactical discipline of teams like Japan and the strategic brilliance of the USA were key.
• Squad Depth and Injury Management: Long qualification campaigns tested the depth of a squad. Teams with quality backups could weather injuries to key players, while those relying heavily on a few stars might see their chances of qualifying in the world cup 2019 women's football diminish if crucial players were sidelined.
• Financial Support and Resources: Adequate funding for training camps, travel, and proper facilities directly impacted a team's preparation and ability to compete. Jamaica's journey highlighted how a lack of resources could be a major hurdle, requiring extraordinary efforts to overcome.
• Inter-Confederation Play-offs: These final two-legged ties were nerve-wracking and offered a last-gasp opportunity. Teams like Argentina (vs. Panama) and Cameroon (vs. Ghana/Mali winner) had to win these fiercely contested matches to seal their fate, proving that sometimes, qualification came down to just two crucial games.

The final roster of qualifiers and realized chances

By the conclusion of the qualification process, 24 nations had secured their coveted spots for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 in France. The journey highlighted the diverse pathways and competitive spirit across the globe, illustrating how the chances of qualifying in the world cup 2019 women's football were both earned and seized.

The qualified teams represented a mix of established powerhouses and historic debutants, showcasing the ongoing evolution of the women's game. From Europe, alongside host France, came England, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Spain, and Sweden. The Americas saw the USA, Canada, Jamaica, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile make it through. Asia was represented by Australia, China PR, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand, while Africa sent Cameroon, Nigeria, and South Africa. New Zealand completed the lineup from Oceania.

Each team's qualification story was unique, a testament to hard work, strategic planning, and often, moments of individual brilliance. The expanded format undeniably broadened the horizon for many nations, offering more tangible chances of qualifying in the world cup 2019 women's football and ultimately leading to a more inclusive and exciting tournament for fans worldwide.