Teams: France, Brazil, Jamaica, Panama
Group F consists of two international powerhouses and two squads looking to make a name for themselves in World Cup play. France and Brazil are supremely talented, if not somewhat unreliable, teams. Jamaica, after making its World Cup debut in 2019, is still seeking its first match win at the competition. Panama rounds out the group and will be making its first World Cup appearance.
Fantasy managers will recognize many noteworthy players amongst the French and Brazilian rosters. Both teams are known for their flair in the attack, and that is reflected in many premium-priced forwards and midfielders. Examples include French veterans Eugénie Le Sommer and Kadidiatou Diani. Brazilian stars Debinha, Marta and Kerolin also promise to generate plenty of offensive opportunities.
Brazil and France will likely have strong performances against the lower ranked teams in their group, making the aforementioned attackers good fantasy choices. And while both teams are heavy favorites to advance to the knockout stage, the fantasy roster selections that will return the best value depend on which team is likely to go deeper in the tournament. In the Round of 16, the Group F winner will play Group H runner-up (slated to be South Korea based on FIFA ranking) while the Group F runner-up will play the Group H winner (likely Germany). The draw would seem to be much kinder to the Group F winner. So if you’re undecided between French and Brazilian options, select the players from whichever team you believe is likely to place first in the group. Based on player form and the fact that France’s coach has only been at the helm since March, Brazil could be the strategic pick.
Jamaica will open its tournament against France, a difficult first match for the “Reggae Girlz”, especially considering players have accused their federation of failing to provide adequate support for the team’s World Cup preparation. The Jamaican squad will need to turn around a poor run of form which has seen them go winless in their first six matches of 2023. Like Jamaica, Panama will begin its World Cup campaign as a heavy underdog. The team has amassed a solid 6-1-3 record in 2023, but none of its wins were against competition comparable to the top teams in Group F. While the case could be made for Panama to finish third in the group, Jamaica’s experience will likely give them the edge.
Players to Watch:
While the French attackers are a tempting fantasy option, it’s difficult to look past captain Wendie Renard when compiling a roster. The veteran defender comes at a hefty $1,000,000 price, but it’s not out of the question for France to secure multiple clean sheets in the group stage. Additionally, Renard’s prowess with her head makes her a prime target for the offense on set pieces.
Brazil has no shortage of star power, but perhaps no player shines as bright for the team as Debinha. The Kansas City Current midfielder doesn’t come cheap ($900k), but she will likely be the center of Brazil’s attack and is entering the tournament in mid-season form. Whether it’s scoring goals or creating opportunities for her teammates, NWSL fantasy owners will be familiar with Debinha’s considerable skills and the robust fantasy points she generates.
If Jamaica is to record their first World Cup win, they’ll likely lean on their top goal scorer, Khadija “Bunny” Shaw, to lead them. Shaw is one of the best strikers in the world, as evidenced by her latest season with Manchester City. With City, She recorded a stellar 31 goals in 30 games and came second in the WSL Golden Boot race. At $600k, Shaw is a proven talent at a relatively inexpensive price.
Midfielder Marta Cox is one of Panama’s most dangerous players. Cox was instrumental in lifting the team to its first World cup as she provided the winning goal in the semifinal of the inter-confederation playoffs against Papua New Guinea. At $350k, Cox is tied for the priciest fantasy option on the Panama squad, but she may be worth a look for those wanting to secure a low cost, high value option in the midfield.