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.
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
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
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
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