FIFA Women's World Cup preview - Group G
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TSN.ca's lookahead to the FIFA 2023 Women's World Cup continues with a preview of Group G that features an experienced Sweden team, surging Italy, African champions South Africa and an Argentina side looking to find their place on the world stage.
Sweden's Kosovare Asllani celebrates Sweden
Confederation: UEFA
FIFA ranking: No. 3
Manager: Peter Gerhardsson
Captain: Caroline Seger (Rosengård)
Previous World Cup appearances: Eight
Major honours: Euro (1984)
Although they have never lifted the trophy, Sweden always finds themselves among the favourites and the last few teams standing at the Women’s World Cup. They defeated England in the third-place game at the 2019 tournament in France, giving them three bronze-medal finishes in the history of the event. Sweden will have an experienced squad in Australia and New Zealand, including captain Caroline Seger, who will be appearing at her fifth World Cup. Arsenal’s Stina Blackstenius will be one of the players counted on to provide the offence for Sweden as she scored eight goals in 22 games this season in the Women’s Super League. Fridolina Rolfö is no stranger to big moments, scoring the winning goal for Barcelona as they charged back to win the 2023 Champions League final over Wolfsburg. She also found the net five times during World Cup qualifying. Magdalena Eriksson, who completed a move to FC Bayern Frauen in June, will be an important part of the defensive core and brings over 90 caps of experience to the squad. Kosovare Asllani also brings a scoring touch to the Swedish midfield in an attacking role. Sweden’s best finish at the Women’s World Cup was as runner up to Germany at the 2003 competition in the United States where they were felled by a 98th minute Golden Goal. This could be the tournament where they finally take that final step and capture the World Cup title that they have circled for decades.
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Cristiana Girelli, Italy
Italy
Confederation: UEFA
FIFA ranking: No. 16
Manager: Milena Bertolini
Captain: TBD
Previous World Cup appearances: Three
Major honours: None
After storming into the quarter-finals of the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France, the Italian team seemed to be on the upswing on the global stage. Unfortunately, that success did not carry over into the 2022 European Championship, where they were winless and scored only two goals during a Group Stage exit. Qualifying for the 2023 competition went much better as Italy topped their Group and posted a +38 goal differential, building momentum towards the tournament. Italy coach Milena Bertolini has dropped captain Sara Gama from the squad, but will still have some experienced players at her disposal. Striker Cristiana Girelli is one of 17 players on the team that play for Juventus in Italy, though none are as accomplished offensively as the 33-year-old. She will be counted on to be the main threat for her country as she is for her club. Barbara Bonansea scored eight goals in 15 matches this season for Juventus and can pop up with a marker at an important time. Defender Lisa Boattin, also from Juventus, is a threat on both ends of the pitch and was named the Serie A Female Footballer of the Year in 2022. Manuela Giugliano will be important in the midfield as she played a major role this season as Roma unseated Juventus as Serie A champions, ending a run of five consecutive titles. The Women’s game has finally gone fully professional in Italy, marking an important stage in one of the most soccer-mad countries in the world. If Italy can carry their qualification form into the tournament and make a deep run in the knockout stage, it would be an important next step for this program.
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Refiloe Jane South Africa South Africa
Confederation: CAF
FIFA ranking: No. 54
Manager: Desiree Ellis
Captain: Refiloe Jane (US Sassuolo)
Previous World Cup appearances: One
Major honours: Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2022)
After five runner-up finishes, South Africa finally broke through and captured the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in 2022, setting the stage for their second run at the Women’s World Cup. They qualified for the competition for the first time in 2019, though they left France without a point and scored just once, through Thembi Kgatlana in their opening loss to Spain. Racing Louisville’s Kgatlana is back in a squad comprised mostly of players that were part of the team that achieved continental success last year. Striker Hildah Magaia scored both goals in South Africa’s 2-1, trophy-winning effort against Morocco in Rabat. Two other players that starred in and against Morocco are also back in Linda Motlhalo and Noko Matlou. Gabriela Salgado, a 25-year-old striker that plays for JVW in South Africa, was not part of the Cup-winning team, but has scored her way into coach Desiree Ellis’ squad through her play in the domestic league. Most importantly, the players have resolved a pay dispute with the South Africa Football Association that involved bonus payments and contracts related to the World Cup. The team is now freed up to place their focus on the field where it should be as they try to make more history for themselves at the 2023 tournament.
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Mariana Larroquette Yamila Rodriguez Argentina Argentina
Confederation: CONMEBOL
FIFA ranking: No. 28
Manager: Germán Portanova
Captain: Vanina Correa (Rosario Central)
Previous World Cup appearances: Four
Major honours: Copa América Femenina (2006)
Heading into their fourth Women’s World Cup, Argentina is still chasing their first victory at the tournament. After two consecutive three-loss appearances at the Women’s World Cup (2003, 2007), Argentina earned two draws at the 2019 competition in France, missing out on the knockout stage by a single point. Head coach German Portanova’s side will have a tough road out of the group stage, but could be up for the challenge. Yamila Rodriguez leads the attack for Argentina as her six goals were enough to capture the Golden Boot at the 2022 Copa América Femenina, where Argentina defeated Paraguay in the third-place game to book their spot at the World Cup. Goalkeeper Vanina Correa is the team captain and leader, playing for Rosario Central in the Argentina domestic league. Estefania Banini returned to the national team after three years, following the sacking of former coach Carlos Borrello. The 33-year-old formerly captained the squad and is a highly skilled playmaker who currently plays for Atletico Madrid. Earning a victory is critical for the continued growth of this program and while it would be considered an upset for them to reach the knockout stage, it would be a real statement of intent from the South American side.