Group C Spotlight: Costa Rica, Japan, Spain, Zambia

Costa Rica

Costa Rica's women's football team, under the leadership of coach Amelia Valverde, has had a rocky year leading up to the 2023 Women's World Cup, with just two victories in their last 17 games. However, star player and all-time leading goalscorer Raquel Rodriguez is expected to make an impact in the tournament, offering hope to fans of the nation's potential to emerge as a "dark horse" in the competition.

Japan

Japan with only two victories in their last six matches, is going through a rebuilding phase under coach Futoshi Ikeda who is integrating the next generation of stars from the youth squads. Yui Hasegawa, a Women’s Super League (WSL) Player of the Month nominee, is expected to be a key player at the tournament. Their status has shifted from tournament favorites to dark horses, and a deep run in the tournament will depend on their young squad's performance and leadership from the experienced players.

Spain

Spain enters the 2023 Women's World Cup with solid recent form and has the leadership of Alexia Putellas, a Barcelona star and two-time Ballon d'Or winner who returned from injury in late April. However, their preparation has been overshadowed by an ongoing dispute between 15 senior players, known as 'Las 15', and the football federation over head coach Jorge Vilda's management style, causing some key players to boycott the national team.

Zambia

Zambia will be making its debut in the tournament, entering as the lowest ranked nation but carrying a reputation for high-scoring matches from their previous outing in the Tokyo Olympics. Coached by Bruce Mwape and featuring star player Barbra Banda, who is known for her scoring prowess, Zambia's participation marks a historical moment as the first landlocked African country to qualify for a senior FIFA World Cup tournament.

Group C Star Player: Alexia Putellas (Spain)

Alexia Putellas, the Spanish women's soccer player, has made a significant impact on the sport with her exceptional skills and achievements. Born on February 4, 1994, in Mollet del Vallès, Spain, Putellas has emerged as one of the most talented and influential players in the game. One fascinating aspect of her career is her versatility, as she has excelled in various positions, including midfield and forward.

Putellas began her professional journey with RCD Espanyol before joining FC Barcelona's famous women's team in 2012. Her performances quickly garnered attention, and she became an integral part of the team's success. Notably, she played a pivotal role in FC Barcelona's triumph in the UEFA Women's Champions League in the 2020-2021 season, scoring the winning goal in the final. At the age of 29, Alexia Putellas has already won the UEFA Women's Champions League, La Liga F, Copa de la Reina, and the Spanish Supercopa with her club Barcelona. She’s also individually collected two Ballon D’Ors, multiple Player of the Year and two FIFA Best awards. She is looking to stop the USA national team from three-peating in this year’s tournament.