The highly-anticipated 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is just three weeks away with the participating teams already making preparations to jet out to the host countries of Australia and New Zealand.
Afrosport previews all 32 countries competing, starting with Group A: New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines and Switzerland.
New Zealand
The Football Ferns got a bye into the FIFA Women’s World Cup group stage by virtue of being co-hosts with neighbours Australia.
This is New Zealand’s fourth consecutive appearance at the Women’s World Cup and fifth overall, being among 12 teams that participated in the maiden edition of the Mundial in 1991 in China.
They have however not been able to go past the group stage. Therefore, playing the tournament on home soil gives them a chance to break the jinx.
It will however be a tall order for Jitka Klimkova’s side as they are winless in their last 10 games (D2 L8), their most recent outing being a 3-0 loss by Nigeria back in April. They will undoubtedly need more than home advantage to turn their fortunes around.
Norway
The Grasshoppers have a rich history in the Women’s World Cup, reaching the final of the maiden edition but lost 2-1 to the United States.
They however got their moment of glory at the next edition in Sweden in 1995, defeating Germany 2-0. It was followed by fourth-place finishes in 1999 and 2007.
Only on one occasion have the Norwegians failed to progress from the World Cup group stage, coming in the 2011 edition in Germany where they finished third in Group D behind Brazil and Australia and ahead of Equatorial Guinea.
Norway are currently ranked 12th in the world and qualified for the World Cup by finishing top of their qualifying group ahead of Belgium and Poland, and based on their strong showing at the Mundial are favourites to finish top of Group A.
The Philippines
The Filipinas are making their debut at the Women’s World Cup after reaching the semi-finals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
Alen Stajcic’s team have had a solid preparation towards their maiden World Cup outing, winning five out of six games this year. Although the victories have come against weaker opposition such as Pakistan, Hong Kong and Tajikistan, it is still a commendable effort.
The Philippines are currently ranked 46th in the world which is a record. While progressing out of the group stage might be an arduous task, they would at least have some confidence in getting some results to have a first World Cup to remember.
Switzerland
La Nati are appearing at the World Cup for just the second time in their history after making it in 2015 in Canada and did credibly well by reaching the Round of 16 but lost 1-0 to the hosts.
The Swiss had a very rigorous qualifying campaign, finishing second in Group G before dispatching Wales 2-1 in extra time during the playoffs.
Inka Grings ladies are currently ranked 20th in the world and will look to make a big impression as the second-highest-ranked team in Group A.
Group A fixtures
1. New Zealand vs Norway
Date: July 20
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Time: 8:00 AM WAT
2. Philippines vs Switzerland
Date: July 21
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Time: 6:00 AM WAT
3. New Zealand vs Philippines
Date: July 25
Venue: Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Time: 6:30 AM
4. Switzerland vs Norway
Date: July 25
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Time: 9:00 AM
5. Switzerland vs New Zealand
Date: July 30
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Time: 8:00 AM
6. Norway vs Philippines
Date: July 30
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Time: 8:00 AM
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