FIFA Women’s International Break 2022
aka the one with lots and lots of mini tournaments and cups.
The international break is now underway until the 23rd of February. With very few World Cup qualifiers, this break has traditionally been used for invitational tournaments such as the Algarve Cup. In its prime, the Algarve Cup was a “mini World Cup” hosting 12 teams from across the world including the former champions Norway, USA, China, and Germany. The cup was a pioneer and led to the establishment of tournaments such as the Cyprus Cup, SheBelieves Cup, Turkish Women’s Cup, Tournoi de France, Pinatar Cup, and the Arnold Clark Cup.
So with all these tournaments going on, I’ve compiled a quick rundown of each tournament and my predictions for how they might go. Note: Predictions are solely based on my brain and vibes, please do not roast me if they are wrong.
Another element which makes these tournaments so exciting is that the Euros are just around the corner! There is added pressure too for players as it may be the last opportunity to earn their spot in the final squad of 23.
Arnold Clark Cup
England this year are hosting the inaugural Arnold Clark Cup with invitees Spain, Germany, and Olympic Champions Canada. The matches will be played across England on the 17th in Middlesbrough, 20th in Norwich, and 23rd in Wolverhampton.
The way too obvious players to look out for:
England: Lucy Bronze – Finally back from injury and Bronze may be a much-needed spark to an English side who have struggled recently against top sides.
Spain: Alexia Putellas – Ballon d’Or need I say more
Germany: Sara Däbritz – Germany has a young and exciting squad and the experienced Däbritz will be key to running the German midfield
Canada: Ashley Lawrence – In my opinion, Lawrence deserved to be in every best 11 last season and is stupidly underrated.
The maybe less obvious players to look out for:
England: Alessia Russo – Also back from injury and has been having an absolutely hectic time in Manchester Red
Spain: Amaiur Sarriegi – 12 goals in 7 games for Spain! Also, 10 goals with second place Real Sociedad
Germany: Jule Brand – 19 year old Hoffenheim standout who just signed a contract with Wolfsburg until 2025
Canada: Julia Grosso – Scored the winning penalty in the Olympics and recently signed with Juventus
Predictions!
Rankings: 1. Spain 2. England 3. Canada 4. Germany
My must watch games: England v Germany or Spain v Germany (sorry Canada!).
Also, be sure to check out El’s match previews for the Arnold Clark Cup.
Tournoi de France
The third edition of France’s Tournoi de France with this year’s invitees the Netherlands, Brazil, and Finland. The matches will be played in Normandy on the 16th, 19th, and 22nd.
The way too obvious players to look out for:
France: Wendie Renard – Imposing centre back who always seems to get France out of a spot of bother by scoring a header.
The Netherlands: Vivianne Miedema – No explanation needed. Dutch goat.
Brazil: Debinha – A problem for any defence with her ball handling and speed
Finland: Emma Koivisto – One of the only Finnish players I have seen, and everyone was on the Koivisto/Brighton hype at the start of the WSL season.
The maybe less obvious players to look out for:
France: Too many to pick just one… Malard, Bacha, Baltimore and they are only the ones with less than 10 caps!
The Netherlands: Joëlle Smits – Goal scoring talent and some reckon she might be the next Miedema
Brazil: Gio – 18 year old who was eligible for Brazil, Spain and USA and is on loan from Barcelona to Levante
Finland: Sanni Franssi – She’s having stand out season for Real Sociedad and has scored 8 goals with 4 assists.
Predictions!
Rankings: 1. France 2. Brazil 3. Netherlands 4. Finland
My must watch game: France v Brazil
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Algarve Cup
Portugal is hosting Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Italy. The matches will be played on the 16th, 18th, 20th, and 23rd. Australia were also meant to play in the Algarve Cup but pulled out due to player and staff wellbeing.
My players to look out for:
Portugal: Jéssica Silva – Former Olympique Lyonnais forward now back playing in Portugal for Benfica
Sweden: Fridolina Rolfö – Best Swedish Player of 2021 and has fit seamlessly in at Barcelona this season playing out of position at left back.
Norway: Guro Reiten – Personally, my favourite Chelsea player and I don’t like Chelsea
Denmark: Signe Bruun – Recent loanee to Manchester United to help with their UWCL aspirations. She scored 5 goals in one game against Bosnia and Herzegovina in October.
Italy: Aurora Galli – I really rate Galli and was super excited when she signed with Everton as Italian Club Football is notoriously hard to find streams for.
Predictions!
Rankings: 1. Sweden 2. Norway 3. Denmark 4. Italy 5. Portugal
Must watch game: Sweden v Denmark – Will likely decide who plays a probable Norway in the final.
SheBelieves Cup
SheBelieves Cup
USWNT are hosting the Czech Republic, Iceland, and New Zealand. The matches will be played in California and Texas on the 17th, 20th, and 23rd.
My players to look out for:
USA: Trinity Rodman– NWSL Rookie of the Year and just signed the largest contract in NWSL history.
Czech Republic: Kateřina Svitková – Goalscoring midfielder, she played amazing in the Euro playoffs against
Iceland: Dagný Brynjarsdóttir – Scores every 3 games for Iceland and spent 4 years at Florida State
New Zealand: Rebekah Stott – She beat cancer stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in July
Predictions!
Rankings: 1. USA 2. Iceland 3. New Zealand 4. Czech Republic
Must watch game: Iceland v New Zealand
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Pinatar Cup
Eight team knock out tournament held in Spain from the 16th to 22nd. Teams include Belgium, Scotland, Russia, Poland, Republic of Ireland, Wales, Hungary, and Slovakia.
My players to look out for:
Belgium: Janice Cayman
Scotland: Caroline Weir
Russia: I cannot find their squad announcement in English and do not read Russian 😢
Poland: Paulina Dudek
Republic of Ireland: Katie McCabe
Wales: Jess Fishlock
Hungary: Fanny Vágó
Slovakia: Same as Russia but in Slovakian 😢
Predictions!
Rankings: 1. Belgium 2. Poland 3. Wales 4. Russia 5. Scotland 6. Republic of Ireland 7. Hungary 8. Slovakia
Must watch game: Scotland v Wales
Turkish Women’s Cup
Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Latvia are competing in the Turkish Women’s Cup. I’ll be honest I don’t know much about these teams, but I would expect Ukraine to finish on top under the guidance of UWCL winning coach Lluís Cortés.