The last 12 months have been incredible in the sporting world. Just before Christmas, we saw Lionel Messi cement his legacy as the greatest footballer of all time as he led Argentina to 2022 FIFA World Cup glory in Qatar. He was awarded the Player of the Tournament award and even managed to net twice in the epic showpiece against France in Lusail.
At the same tournament, England suffered more heartbreak on the international stage as Harry Kane skied a late penalty. The result of that was that the Three Lions bowed out at the quarter final stage of the tournament. However, a month prior to that defeat, England’s cricketers became double World Champions.
They defeated Pakistan in a thriller down under to secure the T20 World Cup, three years on from their triumph in the 50-over World Cup. And it is in Australia where we start our list of three unmissable sporting events taking place over the next 12 months.
1. FIFA Women’s World Cup
Women’s football has become increasingly popular in recent years. Thanks to the likes of personalities such as Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, the women’s game has come on leaps and bounds in recent years. And the growth of the sport will continue in the years to come.
For those that feared that 2023 would be a year without a major international football competition, then you need not worry any longer.
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will get underway on July 20th, with co-hosts Australia and New Zealand kicking off the action down under. They will face the Republic of Ireland and Norway in New South Wales and Auckland respectively. Betway’s sports betting odds currently make The United States joint favourites for glory for this summer’s showdown down under.
However with reigning European Champions England in the form of their lives, could the Lionesses be set to throw a spanner in the works?
Sarina Wiegman’s side stunned Germany at Wembley last summer to become the first set of English footballers to taste success in a major tournament since 1966. Could they repeat that feat once again this summer?
2. WrestleMania 39
To many, professional wrestling is less of a sport and more of a form of entertainment. However, there can be no denying that WrestleMania is the grandest spectacle in live entertainment. On the 1st and 2nd of April, WWE will embark on Inglewood’s 70,000-capacity SoFi Stadium for a two-day spectacle unlike any other.
The event will be headlined by the reigning and defending Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns.
The Head of the Table has held the Universal Championship for over 900 days, and he unified that title with the WWE Championship when he defeated Brock Lesnar at last year’s WrestleMania in a match billed as the biggest main event of all time.
The Tribal Chief hasn’t been pinned or submitted since December 2019. But could Cody Rhodes be the one to end Roman’s reign of terror?
The American Nightmare won the 2023 Royal Rumble match in January, outlasting 29 other superstars to punch his ticket to the main event of WrestleMania, where he will meet the Champion, Reigns. The pair will certainly be in peak physical condition, but will Rhodes be able to get the job done where so many before him have failed?
3. UEFA Champions League Final
The UEFA Champions League is the pinnacle of European club football. Over the years, some of the continent’s greatest teams have lifted the famous ‘Big Eared’ trophy. This year, fans will descend on Istanbul’s Atatürk Olympic Stadium to determine just who is the greatest football team on the planet.
The reigning champions are Real Madrid. They defeated Liverpool in Paris last June courtesy of Vinicius Jr.’s goal, giving Los Blancos their 14th European crown. They are once again amongst the contenders this year, as are Lionel Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain and Erling Haaland’s Manchester City. The final takes place on June 10th, and that is certainly a date to mark down on your calendar.
