USA
FIFA ranking: 1
Nickname: The Stars and Stripes
Coach: Vlatko Andonovski
How they qualified: They came through the CONCACAF competition as winners, beating Canada 1-0 in the final last July.
Previous tournaments: Four-time champions, including the last two tournaments. USA are credited with leading the way in women's football as it skyrocketed in popularity. Their dedication has pay dividends when it comes to trophies.
Prospects: They remain the team to beat, even if there is the sense the chasing pack have closed the gap somewhat. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski will rely on a young cohort to take the wheel, with 22-year-old National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) MVP Sophia Smith complementing veteran Alex Morgan. Trinity Rodman, the highest-paid player in the NWSL, is also expected to be a key piece of the attack at 21 years old, while fellow forward and teen phenom Alyssa Thompson is the youngest in the squad at 18 having made only three appearances. Megan Rapinoe, top scorer at the 2019 finals, returns for her fourth World Cup.
Netherlands
FIFA ranking: 9
Nickname: Oranje
Coach: Andries Jonker
How they qualified: Qualified top of UEFA Group C with 20 points out of a possible 24. Their only slip ups being draws home and away to third-placed Czech Republic.
Previous tournaments: Having not qualified up until 2015, having made the last-16 at their first attempt, the Netherlands went all the way to the final four years later, losing out to the United States in the final.
Prospects: Despite not hitting the heights of four years ago, several players from the class of 2017 are still a major factor in the team, but the Dutch go Down Under without all-time top scorer Vivianne Miedema, who has 95 goals for her country. The 26-year-old ruptured her ACL in December and said at the time she did not think she would make the finals. The major driving force in the team is likely to be Lieke Martens, who will take part in a third World Cup and is a past winner of the FIFA women's Player of the Year award.
Portugal
FIFA ranking: 21
Nickname: A Seleccao das Quinas
Coach: Francisco Neto
How they qualified: Portugal finished second in Group H of the UEFA qualifiers, behind Germany, to enter the play-offs. They beat Belgium 2-1 and Iceland 4-1 following extra time over the two play-off rounds, and advanced to the inter-confederation playoffs where they secured their World Cup berth with a last-gasp 2-1 win over Cameroon.
Previous tournaments: Portugal have never previously played at the World Cup. They entered the two last editions of the European Championship - in 2022 as the replacement for Russia, who were banned following the invasion of Ukraine - and both times were knocked out at the group stage.
Prospects: Portugal will face both the current champions United States and 2019 runners-up the Netherlands in a tough Group E where, alongside fellow debutants Vietnam, they will hope to show their best for the first time on the world stage.
Vietnam
FIFA ranking: 32
Nickname: Golden Star Women Warriors
Coach: Mai Duc Chung
How they qualified: With Australia having already qualified as co-hosts, the other three losing quarter-finalists at the 2022 Asian Cup in India took part in a round robin playoff. All three teams were weakened by Covid-19 infections but Vietnam beat Thailand 2-0 and Taiwan 2-1 to secure their World Cup berth.
Previous tournaments: Vietnam have never previously played at the World Cup. They have won three ASEAN titles and a record eight gold medals at the Southeast Asian Games, including this year. Their best finish at the Asian Cup was the quarter-final spot last year.
Prospects: Having been drawn in Group E with four-times champions the United States, 2019 runners-up Netherlands and Portugal, Vietnam will do well to earn a point.
