Previewing the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Group G
Sweden, South Africa, Italy, Argentina
The favorites: Sweden is one of the world’s most consistent women’s sides throughout the World Cup era. The team easily has the most talent and pedigree in a somewhat soft Group G. But recent results — including 4-0 defeats to England in the Euro 2022 semifinals and to Australia in a friendly last November — suggest they just might be beatable by a lesser team having a really good day.
The best matchup: Argentina and Italy are national teams on the rise and countries with a shared history and lineage. When they meet on Matchday 1, a place in the next round could be on the line given Sweden is tabbed to take the top spot.
History lesson: South Africa plays in the World Cup for a second time after debuting in 2019. But whether or not they can pull off a major upset in group play, they’ve already re-written the history books on their continent by capturing their first African Cup of Nations in 2022. They’re only the third nation to win the tournament after Nigeria, which has dominated with 11 titles, and Equatorial Guinea, which has two.
Players to watch: Sweden’s Fridolina Rolfo plays as an attacking fullback at club level for FC Barcelona, but internationally she is one of her nation’s most important scorers. She had five goals in eight qualifying games, and three goals and two assists in Sweden’s run to the 2020 Olympic Games semifinals. Argentina’s Yamila Rodriguez won the 2022 Copa America Golden Boot by scoring six goals en route to her team’s third-place finish.
Up next: If Sweden wins the group as expected, there are two ways for the remaining group teams to look at a second-place finish and potential second-round matchup with the United States: an almost-certain exit, or a once-in-a-lifetime chance to pull off a major upset on the biggest stage.
–Field Level Media