We're just less than two weeks out from Australia and New Zealand co-hosting the 2023 Women's World Cup. Games will be showcased across both countries, with Sydney as the chosen location for the final.
July 20th will see New Zealand take to the pitch and get the ball rolling with action from Group A as they face Norway on July 20. The Philippines and Switzerland make up the rest of Group A and for the Philippines, it's the first trip to the World Cup for their squad.
There are eight groups in this edition of the Women’s World Cup. There is much to look forward to, so naturally let's start the beginning of the alphabet with Group A.
New Zealand: FIFA Ranking #26
Group Stage Games: 7/20 vs Norway, 7/25 vs Philippines, 7/30 vs Switzerland
The Kiwis have made five previous World Cups with their best finish to date coming in 2015 when they finished fourth. The Football Ferns will have the home advantage in all their group games which will be held in New Zealand.
They have experience under their belt as well. They've won five Oceania Football Confederation Nations Cups (1983, 1991, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2018) and they're going to want to fix their underwhelming record of the longest winless streak in the Women's World Cup at 15.
It is going to be an uphill battle for the Kiwis in their group. Under head coach Jitka Klimková they haven't clicked as a squad. She's been in charge of the Football Ferns for close to two years now. While she thinks that there is no chance their naivete will be on display, the track record says otherwise.
They lost heavily in the SheBelieves Cup to the U.S. and went 10 matches without a win or even a clean sheet leading up to their final pre-World Cup friendly.
Yet captain Ali Riley and company are ready to put their all on the pitch. Riley is one of a few Kiwis to are playing in the top four global professional leagues. She's got 150 international caps and is key in pushing their defensive efforts. Count on CJ Bott to help them get forward down the flanks.
They want to advance from the group stage but winning against the Philippines would at least give them a fighting chance. It would require them to beat Switzerland to move on to the knockouts.
Norway- FIFA Ranking #12
Group Stage Game: 7/20 vs New Zealand, 7/25 vs Switzerland, 7/30 vs Philippines
There's zero mistake that Norway is the favorite heading into this World Cup. And it's not Norway by a little, it's by a sizeable measure. They have 1 FIFA World Cup (1995), 1 Olympics Gold (2000), and 2 European Championships (1987 and 1993) in addition to having made it out of the group stage in all but one.
After a disappointing Euro 2022 performance where they were thrashed by England 8-0 and crashed out, they have been on a roller coaster ride. They did defeat the Netherlands 2-0 in November and had draws with France and Sweden.
They have a star that is far beyond everyone else and her name is synonymous with the Ballon d'Or Feminin: Ada Hergerberg. She was the first female winner of football's prestigious award in 2018 and leads the Women's Champions League top goalscorer with 59.
Don't forget to add in a 2018 Golden Boot for good measure.
Hergerberg is 27 and is only recently back with the Norwegian team. In 2017, she took issue with how Norway treated the women's program- understandable. In her return during qualifiers, she scored a hat trick against Kosovo. Looking ahead to Group A, with head coach Martin Sjögren at the helm they're expected to win all their games. They're not going to win the whole enchilada but at least a first semifinal appearance since 2007 in within reach.
Philippines- FIFA Ranking #46
Group Stage Games: 7/21 vs Switzerland, 7/25 vs New Zealand, 7/30 vs Norway
This is a momentous moment for the Philippines as this is their first World Cup. They qualified by reaching the semi-final of the 2022 Asian Cup and only advanced because of a shootout victory over China Taipei. Their first major trophy won in the AFF Championship in 2022 was a highlight for this squad.
There aren't really expectations for this team as they're in a rough group. Australian head coach Alen Stajcic is the brains behind the operation and they've looked quite strong against opponents from the nearby ASEAN region. Now granted, their losses by one goal to Wales and Scotland show they're not just sitting ducks.
Star player for the Filipina squad U.S.-born forward Sarina Bolden. She's going to be part of their attacking plan and has been quite key when donning her national shirt. Bolden hit 22 goals in 36 caps but those weren't the tougher opponents.
Can this team pull some upsets? Stranger things have happened. But it should be enjoying the moment for them- a first goal, a potential first World Cup win, and better yet a point. Whatever happens, it's still a moment in history for this squad.
https://twitter.com/PilipinasWNFT/status/1677957455459008512
Switzerland- FIFA Ranking #20
Group Stage Game: 7/21 vs Philippines, 7/25 vs Norway, 7/30 vs New Zealand
The Swiss, while having made it to a World Cup before back in 2015, are heading in a solid direction. “La Nati,” as they are called, had a successful World Cup qualifying campaign. They won eight of their 10 games and lost just once, 1-0 to Italy. Last year’s UEFA EURO was a poor performance for the Swiss, who were eliminated in the group stage with just one point to show. As the hosts of the Euro 2025, they're going to use this World Cup appearance to make some noise.
Head coach Inka Grings was appointed in November 2022 to succeed Nils Nielsen. He wants the Nati to play a direct and aggressive style of football. Granted, under Grings they haven't won a friendly but at least they've only lost one. It's going to be easy to beat the Philippines but Norway could either end up at a draw or an upset win.
The best player to watch for on this Swiss squad is captain Lia Wälti. She currently is a midfielder for Arsenal and her defensive work-rate and security on the ball is top-notch. Yet there's a concern as she suffered a bad-looking ankle injury in May. Should she be healthy, the Swiss have a shot of making it to the knockouts.
There's a likely case to be made between them and New Zealand for spot number two. Which means their third match is going to be a hot one. As interest in women’s soccer builds in the country, so will expectations for Switzerland. All eyes are on them.
Be sure to return to Philly Sports Network for more on Women’s World Cup content
Follow our Women’s World Cup team on Twitter:
Tim Lovenguth | Regina Ham | Paul Frenzel | Jimmy King | Liam Jenkins
Mandatory Credit: AP Photo/Francisco Seco, Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP, AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, & Marcel Bieri/Keystone via AP
