It's time to get laughed at. Here are The18's 2023 Women's World Cup predictions ahead of the biggest (first time with 32 teams) and farthest reaching (first time with two host nations) version of the tournament yet.
The competition's main storyline is the USWNT going for a historic three-peat, but England, the reigning European champions, are massive rivals and aiming for their first appearance in the final.
You can never write off Germany (the only other nation to have won the World Cup multiple times), while Spain boasts the world's best player in Alexia Putellas... although Australians would be quick to point to their own Sam Kerr in that argument.
We're certain to have at least one surprise participant in the knockout rounds as well, and we've got some ideas as to who that could be.
The18's 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup predictions
David Moore
Winner: Spain
Runner-up: England
Why the USA does/doesn't three-peat: The USWNT's lack of creativity in the final third against the better teams will be their undoing.
Golden Boot: Frida Maanum (Norway — she's going to score so many in the group stage)
Golden Ball: Alexia Putellas (Spain)
Biggest overachiever: Haiti
Biggest underachiever: Canada
Luis Vidal
Winner: England
Runner-up: Spain
Why the USA does/doesn't three-peat: There are better teams around. Just that.
Golden Boot: Kadidiatou Diani (France)
Golden Ball: Alexia Putellas (Spain)
Biggest overachiever: I'm torn between Zambia and Colombia. I'll go with both.
Biggest underachiever: Canada
Connor Fleming
Winner: USWNT
Runner-up: England
Why the USA does/doesn't three-peat: They need some young players to step up and deliver at key moments, but who's to say it's not the most talented generation yet?
Golden Boot: Sam Kerr (Australia)
Golden Ball: Lindsey Horan (USWNT)
Biggest overachiever: Jamaica can beat Panama, but could they pull off a shock against either France or Brazil to reach the knockout stage? Bunny Shaw makes it possible.
Biggest underachiever: I have this growing belief that France could win it all so that means they'll likely get knocked out early.
