Sun | Jun 16, 2024

Women’s World Cup at a glance

Published:Thursday | July 20, 2023 | 12:07 AM
Tiffany Cameron stretches ahead of a Reggae Girlz Training Session at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex in Kingston on Wednesday, June 14.
Tiffany Cameron stretches ahead of a Reggae Girlz Training Session at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex in Kingston on Wednesday, June 14.

THE FIFA Women’s World Cup is almost here. Jamaica are in it for the second time in a row, following their 2019 bow in France. Now, Australia and New Zealand get a taste of Reggae. The Jamaicans find themselves in Group F, along with Brazil, France, and Panama. But there are other mega clashes expected in this first round, take a look at your Women’s World Cup.

GROUP A

New Zealand

World Ranking: 26

World Cup appearances 6

Best Finish: (Group Stage)

Key Players, CJ Bolt, Michaela Foster, Ali Riley

Head coach: Jitka Klimkova

Norway

World Ranking: 12

World Cup appearances: 9

Best Finish: Champions 1995

Key Players: Maren Mjelde, Ada Hegerberg,Frida Maanum

Head coach: Hege Riise

Philippines

World Ranking: 46

World Cup appearances: (Debut 2023)

Key Players Sarina Bolden, Bella Pasion

Head coach: Alen Stajcic

Switzerland

World Ranking:20

World Cup appearances: 2

Best Finish: (Knockout Round 2015)

Key Players: Alisha Lehmann, Lia Walti, Seraina Piubel

Head coach: Inka Grings

Key Matches

July 20: New Zealand vs Norway

July 25: Norway vs Switzerland

GROUP B

Australia

World Ranking: 10

World Cup appearances: 8

Best Finish: Quarterfinals (2007, 2011, 2015)

Key Players: Samantha Kerr, Cortnee Vine

Head coach: Tony Gustavsson

Canada

World Ranking: 7

World Cup appearances: 8

Best Finish: (Fourth 2003)

Key Players: Christine Sinclair, Simi Awujo, Kadeisha Buchannan

Head coach: Beverly Priestman

Nigeria

World Ranking: 40

World Cup appearances: 9

Best Finish: Quarterfinals 1999

Key Players: Asisat Oshoala, Deborah Adiodum, Rasheedat Ajibade

Head coach: Randy Waldrum

Republic of Ireland

World Ranking: 22

World Cup appearances: (Debut 2023)

Best Finish: Debut

Key Players: Katie McCabe, Louise Quinn, Sinead Farrelly

Head coach: Vera Pauw

Key Matches

July 20: Australia vs the Republic of Ireland.

July 31: Australia vs Canada

Group C

Costa Rica

World Ranking: 36

World Cup appearances: 2

Best Finish: Group Stage

Key Players: Raquel Rodriquez, Melissa Herrera, Priscila Chinchilla

Head coach: Amelia Valverde

Japan

World Ranking: 11

World Cup appearances: 9

Best Finish: Winners 2011

Key Players: Mina Tanaka, Aoba Fujino, Yui Hasegawa

Head coach: Futoshi Ikeda

Spain

World Ranking: 6

World Cup appearances 3

Best Finish: Round of 16, 2019

Key Players: Alexis Putellas, Irene Paredes, Ona Batlle

Head coach: Jorge Vilda

Zambia

World Ranking: 77

World Cup appearances: Debut

Best Finish: N/A

Key Players: Barbra Banda, Raquel Kundananji,

Head coach: Bruce Mwape

Key Match

July 31 Spain vs Japan

Group D

China

World Ranking: 14

World Cup appearances: 8

Best Finish: Runners-up –1999

Key Players: Wang Shuang, Wang Shanshan, Zhang Linyan

Head coach: Shui Qingxia

Denmark

World Ranking: 13

World Cup appearances: 5

Best Finish: Quarterfinals 1991 and 1995

Key Players: Pernille Harder, Sofie Junge Pedersen, Josefine Hasbo

Head coach: Lars Sondergaard

England

World Ranking: 4

World Cup appearances: 6

Best Finish: Third place 2015

Key Players: Keira Walsh, Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo

Head coach: Sarina Weigman

Haiti

World Ranking: 53

World Cup appearances: Debut

Best Finish: N/A

Key Players: Melchie Dumornay (Corventina), Danielle Etienne

Head coach: Nicolas Delepine

Key Match

July 28 Denmark vs England