GROUP A
DID YOU KNOW?
New Zealand were the first women’s national team to compete in all seven FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments
IT’S THE FIRST-EVER DUAL-HOST WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
It’ll also be the first senior World Cup to have more than one host since the 2002 men’s tournament held in Japan and South Korea.
NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL
NEW ZEALAND
FERNS AIMING TO REWRITE HISTORY
New Zealand’s women’s football team has never made it to the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup™, despite playing in five editions of the tournament. However, with the 2023 edition being held on home soil and as top seeds in their group, the Football Ferns see it as a golden opportunity to rewrite history. The team’s head coach, Jitka Klimkova, aims to change the team’s approach from being defensively sound to playing to win. Klimkova, who had previously coached youth teams of New Zealand, USA, and her native Czech Republic, wants her team to control the ball and dictate play as much as possible. While this change of approach has yet to bear fruit, players have voiced their support for this change.
One player who is likely to play a significant role in the team’s success is Ali Riley, a vastly experienced defender who has participated in four Women’s World Cups and four Olympics. Although now 35, she continues to excel at the game’s elite level with her club, Angel City. Her game understanding, composure in possession, and effervescent personality will be essential ingredients for the Ferns’ success. The team will play Norway, Philippines, and Switzerland in Group A, with the co-hosts aiming to peak at the right time and make history in front of a home crowd.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Despite playing 15 matches, New Zealand has yet to register a win in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. However, they have generally been competitive, drawing two of their three recent matches, including one against hosts Canada in 2015. Despite narrowly missing out on victory at France 2019, the team remains optimistic and eager to make history on home soil.
NORWAY
LOOKING TO RECLAIM
Norway is a nation that has experienced great success in women’s football, having won the Women’s World Cup™ and several UEFA Women’s EUROs and Olympics. However, recent years have seen the Scandinavians’ fortunes dwindle, with their second successive group-stage exit at last year’s European finals being a particular low point. In response to this, they appointed Hege Riise, one of their greatest-ever players and an accomplished coach who had achieved success with LSK Kvinner and Team GB. Riise has made an instant impact and led them to victories over teams such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Albania, and Uruguay.
Caroline Graham Hansen, an assist-providing machine and prolific goal scorer for both her club, Barcelona, and country, is set to play a vital role for Norway. With her skill and expertise as a wide player, she is a regular nominee for the game’s top individual awards. Graham Hansen was often used as a second striker by Riise’s predecessor, Martin Sjogren. However, it seems likely that the fit-again winger will return to her familiar position on the wing, where she can cause havoc for opposing full-backs. With Riise’s focus on defensive structure and the team’s renewed attacking threat, Norway will aim to make a statement in the upcoming Women’s World Cup.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Norway has a strong record in Women’s World Cup tournaments, winning the second in 1995 and narrowly losing the first women’s world cup final in 1991. They have reached the semis in 1999 and 2007, and have only failed to qualify from the group stage once. Their last gold medal came in 1995, but they made it to the quarter-finals in the 2019 tournament.
DID YOU KNOW?
Norway won the UEFA European Women’s Championship in 1987, 1993, and 2005, making them the most successful team in the history of the tournament.
PHILIPPINES
WORLD STAGE JITTERS
With Ex Australia national women’s football team Coach taking the helm the Philippines are achieving unprecedented success, winning their first-ever trophy at the AFF Championship and qualifying for their first Women’s World Cup by defeating Thailand, Indonesia, and Chinese Taipei in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup quarter-finals.
Despite being considered underdogs in the Women’s World Cup, the Philippines’ group draw, combined with their coach’s determination to win, could lead to a surprising performance. Stajcic typically employs a pragmatic 4-4-2 formation, focusing on counter-attacks, set pieces, and strong defensive shape.
Tahnai Annis, the team’s captain, is a key player to watch. The Ohio-born midfielder is known for her ability to create and score goals, often in spectacular fashion. As a reserved individual, she aims to lead by example, which will be essential as the Filipinas strive to compete against the world’s best teams.
WORLD CUP HISTORY:
This will be the Philippines’ first appearance at the global showpiece.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Philippines made their first appearance in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2018, showcasing the growing talent and dedication within the team.
32 THE BIGGEST WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
This version will have a stacked field of 32 teams! Previous editions have had a scarcity of teams, with the first incarnation in 1991 only having 12 participants. As a result, each confederation has a much larger pool of teams to qualify.
SWITZERLAND
ROAD TO REDEMPTION
Switzerland had a strong FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign, winning eight out of 10 games and losing only once to Italy. However, they finished as runners-up due
