With the Women’s World Cup just days away, here is a comprehensive look at the teams playing in Group G.
Sweden
The favourites to top Group G are undoubtedly Sweden, the World’s number three ranked team, who head into this year’s tournament as serious contenders.
The Swedes have reached at least the semi-finals in their last three tournaments; finishing third in the 2019 World Cup, second in the Tokyo Olympics, and fourth overall at the Euros in the summer of 2021. A nation with a great track record in Tournament football, Sweden could realistically go all the way.
A challenge for this promising Swedish side will be their current injury list, as is the same with many countries in this year’s tournament. Sweden have confirmed that veteran defender Hanna Glas will be missing the tournament due to an ongoing knee injury, whilst players such as Caroline Seger, Fridolina Rolfö, Amanda Ilestedt and Lina Hurtig are serious doubts, having picked up injuries during the spring.
Rolfö is undoubtedly Sweden’s most important player, the forward has scored 25 goals for her country, including three during the Olympic tournament. The loss of Rolfö would be a serious blow for Sweden’s chances, who is a ruthless tournament scorer, and so we await her fitness update.
The Swedes have proved they are a formidable force when they are firing on all cylinders, beating Georgia 15-0 in the Qualifiers for this year’s tournament.
If they are to progress from the group, which is highly likely, they face a difficult draw in the round of 16, likely facing the USA or the Netherlands.
Up first for the favourites is South Africa on Sunday, in what is expected to be an easy game for the Swedes.
Italy
Italy will be looking to bounce back after a shocking Euros campaign in 2021 that saw the Italians finish bottom of their group with just a singular point. They will be hoping to reach the heights of their 2019 selves, reaching a Quarter Final last time out, much to the surprise of the footballing world.
Italy are a team on the rise, their squad an exciting blend of experience and youth. The stand-out selection for this year’s tournament is the 16-year-old midfielder, Giulia Dragoni. Dragoni comes into the squad to replace the experienced Aurora Galli, who was so influential in Italy’s journey to the Quarter Finals four years ago.
Dragoni currently plays her football for Barcelona, after securing a move from Inter Milan in January, fulfilling her destiny, as she was often described as a ‘little Messi’ from a young age. Yet to play in the senior Barcelona team, and picking up very few appearances for Inter, Dragoni’s selection is a huge risk, and a major call by manager Milena Bertolini.
In her six-year spell managing the Italian national side, Bertollini ended a 20-year non-qualification drought by reaching the Quarter Finals in France four years ago, and is looking to experience those highs again this year, as she is expected to leave the job following the conclusion of this tournament.
A key player for Italy will be Valentina Giacinti, who is the country’s tenth highest goalscorer with 22 goals. Scoring 11 goals out of 20 league games this season, Giacinti will be hoping to continue her form into this tournament to give Italy a chance of progressing from the group.
It is a challenging group for the Italians, who will be looking to secure the group-runners-up spot.
Argentina
Qualifying for just their fourth ever World Cup, Argentina’s presence alone in Australia and New Zealand is a great achievement. Their goal in this tournament will be to record a first-ever World Cup victory, having registered seven defeats and two draws in 2003, 2007 and 2019.
The South Americans have only lost once in 2023, losing on penalties to Venezuela in a friendly in April. They have scored 15 goals from their last six games, picking up five wins, and will be looking to continue their excellent run of form on Monday when they face Italy in Auckland.
In order for Argentina to pick up their first World Cup win, they will be relying on the talent and experience of Estefanía Banini to lift the team. The 33-year-old is most likely playing in her last ever World Cup, and will be looking to go out on a high; no better way to do that than securing a first World Cup victory.
However, given their excellent qualifying form, and overall improvement in the past four years, Argentina will have every reason to believe that they can qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament. They will believe they can put it up to an inexperienced Italian side, and a South African side who will play in just their second ever World Cup.
Whilst they are unlikely to recreate the successes of their male counterparts, this Argentinian side has the potential to create history and record a first ever World Cup win, and maybe even reach the knockout stages; an achievement that should be regarded as highly, given the turbulent nature of the women’s game in Argentina.
South Africa
Playing in just their second ever World Cup, South Africa, or Banyana Banyana as they are often reffered to, will be looking to push on after winning the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and will be hoping to cause an upset in Group G. The lowest ranked team in the group, South Africa have nothing to lose, and could be a surprise bogey team for the favourites.
Previously coached by current Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw, the South African women’s football team was established just thirty years ago, and has grown exponentially ever since. In the 2019 World Cup, Banyana Banyana failed to register a point, this disappointment serving now as motivation for this year’s tournament. Securing a point, and even potentially a win, would be hugely significant for the women’s game in South Africa.
If they are to do so, they will be relying on their speed and efficiency on the counter attack. Unlikely to control possession, South Africa will have to be clinical on the counter and in transition and will look to use the speed of Thembi Kgatlana, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Hildah Magaia and Noxolo Cesane to catch teams out.
Kgatlana is one of the most influencial players in this side, the 27-year-old becoming a real leader in this squad. After missing out on WAFCON in 2022, she will be desperate to make her mark in this year’s World Cup.
It’s not going to be easy, but recording a draw or a win in this year’s competition would be a huge achievement for Banyana Banyana. Up first, the group favourites Sweden on Sunday.
