2023 Women’s World Cup Group Preview: Group G (2024)

Headlining Group G of the FIFA Women’s World Cup is Sweden, where they come in as one of the favourites to win the tournament.

The Swedes will have to face South Africa, Italy and Argentina who are ready to challenge the Scandinavian juggernauts.

But, how will each of these nations look heading into this year’s Women’s World Cup? Jullian Sardana analyses Group G.

SWEDEN

Previous Women’s World Cup appearances: 8 (last in 2019)

2019 tournament: Third-place playoff winners (defeating England 2-1)

Best Finish: Runners up in 2003 Women’s World Cup (losing to Germany by a golden goal)

Nickname: Blågult (The Blue and Yellow)

Manager: Peter Gerhardsson (Sweden)

World Ranking: 3rd

The Blågult are coming into this tournament aiming to push for the final and hopefully win after losing in the semi-finals of both the last World Cup against the Netherlands in France in 2019 and last year’s Euros against eventual winners and hosts England. Caroline Seger who has more than 230 appearances to her name will be entering her fifth World Cup and she’ll be joined by 13 other teammates who took part in their third-place finish in France with the likes of Stina Blackstenius and Magdalena Eriksson flying to New Zealand as well for their group stage matches.

Key Player: Fridolina Rolfö

Club: Barcelona (Spain)

Position Left-Winger

Age: 29

Fridolina Rolfö is heading into this World Cup as one of the most in-form players in the Sweden squad, scoring the winning goal in the Champions League Final against her former side Vfl Wolfsburg last month.

Gerhardsson will hope Rolfö can replicate her form in this year’s World Cup averaging a goal contribution in 32 matches played in the league and Champions League.

With her pace, power and eye for goal, the champions league winner will be a constant attacking threat to defenders facing her throughout the course of the tournament.

Breakout star: Hanna Bennison

Club: Everton (England)

Position: Midfielder

Age: 20

Hanna Bennison is one of the most promising and exciting young players in the world, making her senior debut for Sweden at the age of 17 against the current World Champions USA in a friendly.

The Swedish midfielder made her senior debut for Rosengard in the Swedish top flight at the age of 15 in 2018, and in 2021 she made the move to Merseyside signing with Everton for a club-record fee.

Despite the abundance of talent in Sweden’s midfield, Bennison will hope she gets the chance to prove herself on the World’s biggest stage at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Tove Enblom (KIF Orebro), Jennifer Falk (Hacken), Zecira Musovic (Chelsea)

Defenders: Jonna Andersson (Hammarby), Nathalie Bjorn (Everton), Magdalena Eriksson (Bayern Munich), Amanda Ilestedt (Paris-Saint-Germain), Hanna Lundkvist (Atletico Madrid), Anna Sandberg (Hacken), Linda Sembrant (Juventus)

Midfielders: Filippa Angeldahl (Manchester City), Kosovare Asllani (AC Milan), Hanna Bennison (Everton), Lina Hurtig (Arsenal), Elin Rubensson (Hacken), Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (Chelsea), Olivia Schough (Rosengard), Caroline Seger (Rosengard)

Forwards: Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal), Rebecca Blomqvist (Wolfsburg), Sofia Jakobsson (San Diego Wave), Madelen Janogy (Hammarby), Fridolina Rolfö (FC Barcelona)

Fixtures:

July 23: SWEDEN v South Africa (Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara, 3pm)

July 29: SWEDEN v Italy (Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara, 5:30pm)

August 2: Argentina v SWEDEN (Waikato Stadium, Hamilton/Kirikiriroa, 5pm)

Verdict: 1st

SOUTH AFRICA:

Previous Women’s World Cup appearances: 1 (last in 2019)

2019 tournament: Knocked out in group stage (finished 4th)

Best Finish: Qualifying for Group stage (2019)

Nickname: Banyana, Banyana (Girls, Girls)

Manager: Desiree Ellis (South Africa)

World Ranking: 54th

The South Africans are coming into the World Cup as underdogs ranking the lowest in the FIFA women’s world ranking amongst their fellow opponents in Group G. However, the Banyana, Banyana have proven through their journey to the World Cup they can compete and could potentially shock fans with their performances. They are currently the Africa Women Cup of Nations holders beating fellow African World Cup qualifiers Morocco 2-1 in the final and also they made the COSAFA Women’s Cup final. Despite the odds, South Africa consists of experienced players such as Jermaine Seoposenwe and Andile Dlamini and young upcoming talent who could make a name for themselves at the Women’s World Cup.

Key Player: Refiloe Jane

Club: Sassuolo (Italy)

Position: Midfielder

Age: 30

Refiloe Jane has been a mainstay and a leader in the South African squad ever since she first represented her nation in the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Jane has played all over the world in regard to her club career having spells at Colchester United and Mamelodi Sundowns, while also spending a season with Canberra United being one of the first South African players alongside Rhoda Mulaudzi to play in the W-League.

She now currently plays for Sassuolo where she was featured 22 times this past season scoring three goals from central midfield. Her experience will be crucial to the South African team as they hope to shock their fellow group opponents at the World Cup.

Breakout Star: Linda Motlhalo

Club: Glasgow City (Scotland)

Position: Left-Winger

Age: 25

Although Linda Motlhalo may not be the youngest player in the squad, she may have the possibility to really make a name for herself at the World Cup.

The South African winger started alongside Refiloe Jane in their victory against Morocco in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final. Motlhalo could potentially emerge as part of a new wave of promising South African talent in the next couple of years.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kaylin Swart (JVW FC), Kebosteng Moletsane (Royal AM)

Defenders: Karabo Dhlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongeka Gamede (UWC) Fikile Magama (UWC), Tiisetso Makhubela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Noko Matlou (Eibar), Bambani Mbane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lebohang Ramalepe (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Midfielders: Kholosa Biyana (UWC), Sibulele Holweni (UWC), Refiloe Jane (Sassuolo), Nomvula Kgoale (TS Galaxy), Robyn Moodaly (JVW FC), Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City)

Forwards: Noxolo Cesane (Tigres), Melinda Kgadiete (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thembi Kgatlana (Racing Louisville), Hildah Magaia (Sejong Sportstoto), Gabriela Salgado (JVW FC), Jermaine Seoposenwe (Monterrey), Wendy Shongwe (University of Pretoria)

Fixtures:

July 23: Sweden v SOUTH AFRICA (Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara, 3pm)

July 28: Argentina v SOUTH AFRICA (Dunedin Stadium, Dunedin / Ōtepoti, 10am)

August 2: SOUTH AFRICA v Italy (Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara, 5pm)

Verdict: 4th

ITALY

Previous Women’s World Cup appearances: 3 (last in 2019)

2019 Tournament: Quarterfinals (Lost to the Netherlands)

Best Finish: Quarterfinals (1991 and 2019)

Nickname: Le Azzurre (The Blues)

Manager: Milena Bertolini (Italy)

World Ranking: 16th

After a disappointing result in last year’s Euros where they finished last in their group, the Italians are keen to bounce back at the Women’s World Cup. In their last appearance at the World Cup in 2019 they lost in the quarterfinals to eventual finalists the Netherlands and will be hoping to take it a step further this time. Le Azzurre will be led by the experienced Cristiana Girelli and alongside her will include the likes of Barbara Bonansea and Elena Linari.

Key Player: Cristiana Girelli

Club: Juventus (Italy)

Position: Striker

Age: 33

Cristiana Girelli will look to lead the line at the World Cup where she will be the focal point of this Italian squad. Girelli is quite a versatile attacker, not only she can play up top, but she can play as a second striker and even as an attacking midfielder at times.

This past season she scored 25 goals at Juventus and has scored 51 times for Le Azzure since debuting in 2013. Girelly will aim to keep up her dangerous goal-scoring form into the tournament ahead.

Breakout Star: Arianna Caruso

Club: Juventus (Italy)

Position: Midfielder

Age: 23

One of Girelli’s fellow teammates at Juventus, Arianna Caruso is heading into her first World Cup hoping to make a mark for herself and her country. Caruso is mainly a box-to-box midfielder who can drive forward when needed and can also provide defensive support as well.

Caruso has finished her recent season with Juventus with eight goals and eleven assists in all competitions and she’ll be an important aspect of the Italian midfield at the World Cup.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Rachele Baldi (Fiorentina), Francesca Durante (Inter), Laura Guiliani (Milan)

Defenders: Elisa Bartoli (Roma), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Roma), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (Roma), Benedetta Orsi (Sassuolo), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus)

Midfielders: Arianna Caruso (Juventus), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus), Guilia Dragoni (Barcelona), Manuela Guigliano (Roma), Giada Greggi (Roma), Emma Severini (Fiorentina)

Forwards: Chiara Beccari (Juventus), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Sofia Cantore (Juventus), Valentina Giacinti (Roma), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Benedetta Glionna (Roma), Annamaria Serturini (Roma)

Fixtures:

July 24: ITALY v Argentina (Eden Park, Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau, 4pm)

July 29: Sweden v ITALY (Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara, 5:30pm)

August 2: South Africa v ITALY (Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara, 5pm)

Verdict: 2nd

ARGENTINA:

Previous Women’s World Cup appearances: 3 (last in 2019)

2019 Tournament: Knocked out in Group Stage (finished 3rd)

Best Finish: Finishing 3rd in Group Stage

Nickname: La Albiceleste (The White and Sky-Blues)

Manager: German Portanova (Argentina)

World Ranking: 28th

The women’s Argentina national team will hope to replicate the heroics of the men’s national team in this World Cup. However, the women’s team have failed to progress past the group stages and hope this time it will be different for them. La Albiceleste will be led by 39-year-old goalkeeper Vanina Correa where it will be her first time as captain at a major tournament.

Key Player: Yamila Rodriguez

Club: Palmeiras (Brazil)

Position: Forward

Age: 25

Yamila Rodriguez is coming into this World Cup as Argentina’s main goal provider and Portanova will hope her goals can help Argentina advance into the knockout phase. Rodriguez won the Golden Boot at last year’s Copa America Feminina scoring six goals throughout the course of the tournament.

Breakout Star: Daiana Faifan

Club: UAI Urquiza (Argentina)

Position: Midfielder

Age: 22

Daiana Faifan is a promising central midfielder currently playing for Primera Division A club UAI Urquiza. She made her senior debut for Argentina in 2019 in a friendly against Paraguay at the age of 19.

Although a name many fans haven’t heard yet, she will be aiming to show her quality and skills on the World’s biggest stage in New Zealand.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Vanina Correa (Rosario Central), Lara Esponda (River Plate), Abigail Chaves (Huracan)

Defenders: Adriana Sachs (Santos), Eliana Stabile (Santos), Julieta Cruz (Boca Juniors), Aldana Cometti (Madrid CFF), Sophia Braun (Leon), Miriam Mayorga (Boca Juniors), Gabriela Chavez (Estudiantes)

Midfielders: Vanesa Santana (Sporting de Huelva), Romina Nunez (UAI Urquiza), Daiana Falfan (UAI Urquiza), Dalila Ippolito (Parma), Lorena Benitez (Palmeiras), Camila Gomez Ares (Universidad de Concepcion), Estefania Banini (Atletico Madrid)

Forwards: Paulina Gramaglia (Red Bull Bragantino), Yamila Fernandez (Palmeiras), Florencia Bonsegundo (Madrid CFF), Maraina Larrquette (Orlando Pride), Chiara Singarella (University of Alabama), Erica Lonigro (Rosario Central)

Fixtures:

July 24: Italy v ARGENTINA (Eden Park, Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau, 4pm)

July 28: ARGENTINA v South Africa (Dunedin Stadium, Dunedin / Ōtepoti, 10am)

August 2: ARGENTINA v Sweden (Waikato Stadium, Hamilton/Kirikiriroa, 5pm)

Verdict: 3rd

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