Other than the top contenders like England, the United States, and Spain, there are plenty of nations that have the tools to lift the Women's World Cup title.
Before we dive deep into the potential contenders that have the ability to make a run to the pinnacle of women's football, we have the define who these "other contenders" or "dark horses" are.
To qualify to be a "dark horse" in this case, you have to be a country out of the top-seven on the current bet365 odds. Much of it depends on the countries' knockout stage matchups and the form each one has been in so far during this tournament.
Here are three nations to keep an eye on that may not be considered among the leading candidates.
2023 Women's World Cup dark horses: Brazil
Right out of the gate, this nation demonstrated its true colors. Brazil's display against Panama may have produced some of the most stunning goals of this tournament to date. The South American juggernaut followed that up with a defeat to the French where the backline somehow lost Wendie Renard on a set-piece late in the game.
Though this team is just one defeat away from elimination, if it reaches the Round of 16, few nations will want to see the Brazilians.
With Pia Sundhage leading the way, the defending Copa America champions have the right leader to hoist the trophy in a few weeks. In addition to the team's attacking talent that includes the likes of NWSL's Debinha, and Kerolin, that motivation to win it for Marta is something that cannot go unnoticed. The 37-year-old has to be considered one of the greatest women's footballers of all time.
She led her nation to second place at the World Cup in 2007, and with this being officially her final one, it would only be fitting like Lionel Messi to go out on top. If the defense can limit miscommunication and lapses in the penalty area, winning this world competition is very much in the cards.
The Brazilians can not look past a gritty Jamaican team on Wednesday in Melbourne. There is still a task to be done by Sundhage's side, but if it is completed, the reality is the talent is there to contend with the leading contenders.
2023 Women's World Cup dark horses: Netherlands
The Dutch did to Vietnam what the USWNT should have done in the first place to open up this tournament. Many counted this team out with the nation's leading scorer Vivianne Miedema out due to injury. That match against Vietnam, while it was not the most quality of opponents was a demonstration of how clinical Andries Jonker's team can be.
Having won Group E, the 2019 World Cup finalists do not have to encounter the winners of another group until possibly the quarterfinals.
The European outfit had 10 more shots on target than the two-time defending world champions against the only Asian side in Group E. Youngster Esmee Brugts has been brilliant in her time between the white lines, scoring two goals, both of which were top-class finishes. Along with talents like Manchester City's Jill Roord to pair with veterans Daniëlle van de Donk, and Stefanie van der Gragt among others, this nation has shown it is capable of reaching the final even without Miedema leading the line.
Currently, according to bet365, the Dutch have the eighth-highest odds to win the World Cup. If Jonker's side were to advance into the quarterfinals, the next opponent would be either Spain or Switzerland. Encountering the Spanish is not the most ideal of matchups, but given the way that the team performed against Japan, it may not be the worst option either.
2023 Women's World Cup dark horses: Norway
From the get-go, when this tournament kicked off, it looked like Norway was going to fall flat of its face for the second straight summer in a major competition. Nobody in their right mind would have selected the European outfit to even make it out of the group after a defeat to New Zealand. That was then, this is now. The mood surrounding this side has flipped on its head.
Hege Riise's interesting tactics and personnel choices were brought to the forefront following back-to-back matches in which they failed to score. That all changed against the Philippines. Norway's most talented came out to shine. For the Grasshoppers, that was the kind of display that can jumpstart a nation seeking confidence heading into the next round. Six goals on 13 shots on target. That is exactly what the doctor ordered for the Scandinavian powerhouse.
Due to the fact that they finished runners-up, the Norwegians will take on one of the most impressive sides so far in the knockouts, Japan in Wellington, New Zealand. The Japanese are without question in the best form of anyone, but it has to be said Norway has the better players. Though that does not mean everything, if Riise can somehow harness the abilities of her roster, the product is undoubtedly going to be something extraordinary.
The Women's World Cup resumes on FOX Sports, and FS1 on Wednesday, August 2 beginning with Argentina vs. Sweden, and Italy vs. South Africa at 3:00 a.m. EST.
