WWC 2023: Group G Preview
Sweden often are the "forgotten favorites," but have all the pieces to be a title contender yet again. Can star Fridolina Rolfö help make this an unforgettable tournament for the Swedes?
Sweden
FIFA Rank: #3
Qualified as: Winners of UEFA Group A
The Skinny
Sweden are often the 'Forgotten Favorite' when it comes to major women's tournaments. Whether it's the country's small size, or the fact that the men's football team hasn't been a world player in about 50 years, for one reason or another Sweden doesn't tend to be remembered among the top tier of title contenders. Yet, short of the United States and Germany, they have as much a claim as anyone to be synonymous with the women's game. They hosted the second-ever edition of this tournament, and appeared in the 2003 Final. Blågult also have finished 3rd place in three different World Cups (including the last one), and have won Silver at the last two Olympic games. So yes, while they have not lifted a major trophy yet, and last summer were dispatched stunningly easy by hosts England in the European Championship semifinals, they are very much a player once again. They coasted through qualifying, dropping only one point, and have a roster littered with starters in the best leagues in the world. They're unquestionably the toast of this group, and built for beyond.
South Africa
FIFA Rank: #54
Qualified as: Champions of 2022 Africa Cup of Nations
The Skinny
South Africa is another side, like a few already profiled in this series, that has seen their women's team grow from virtually nothing in a fairly rapid timeframe. Banyana Banyana have been fairly competitive within Africa, but had not broken onto the global stage until the 2012 Summer Olympics. They have since appeared in each of the ensuing Olympic games, and four years ago, made their first World Cup appearance, where despite finishing last place, handled themselves admirably in perhaps the toughest group in the tournament. The big breakthrough came last summer; after four previous bites at the cherry, South Africa finally won their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations Final, lifting their first trophy. They'll be distant underdogs in this World Cup yet again, but in a group that's essentially 'Sweden and the rest' in terms of World Cup pedigree, 2nd place and the knockout stages are very much up for grabs.
Italy
FIFA Rank: #8
Qualified as: Winners of UEFA Group G
The Skinny
Group G's last couple teams are nations that share eerily similar profiles: global powers in the men's game that were on the map early on in Women's World Cup history, then went AWOL for a decade or so, and have resurfaced at the top level in the last several years. The first of these is Italy; Le Azzure qualified for each of the first six European Championships from 1984 to 1997, reaching at least the semifinals every time but never winning the tournament. They also qualified for two of the first 3 World Cups, reaching the quarterfinals of the inaugural tournament. They then failed to return to the World Cup for 20 years, and didn't reach the knockout stage of a single European Championship in that time. However, their long-awaited return was well worth the wait. Four years ago, they topped a group that included Brazil and Australia, and advanced all the way to the quarterfinals, where they lost a competitive match to eventual runners-up Netherlands. The majority of that squad is back, and will know what it takes to make a run in this tournament. That said, their 2022 Euros appearance last summer was nothing short of disastrous, finishing last place in a relatively easy group. They kept manager Milena Bertolini around, and much of the same team is in place, so I suppose we will see whether the Euros or the 2019 World Cup were the aberration for this side.
Argentina
FIFA Rank: #28
Qualified as: 3rd place in 2022 Copa América Femenina
The Skinny
The second of the teams mentioned above is Argentina. While slightly later to the global stage than Italy, La Albiceleste also had a long gap before their recent return to the World Cup. The 2000s were the Argentine's breakout party, qualifying for both the 2003 and 2007 World Cups, as well as Beijing 2008, and while it should be mentioned they didn't win a match in any of those tournaments, it also should be mentioned that this time period marked their sole Copa América title, in 2006. Still, they haven't returned to the title match since lifting that trophy, and it would be 11 years in between their major tournament appearances. In 2019, they once again missed out on the Round of 16, but avoided last place, thanks to two draws against Japan and Scotland, and fought tooth and nail against eventual semifinalists England in a 0-1 loss. In a fairly open 2nd place race, this tournament might be their best chance yet to burst into the knockout stages.
Group G Best XI
This Best XI lays bare just how surprising it would be if Swedes didn't control this group. Over half the starting lineup is Swedish; most notably, star attackers Fridolina Rolfö (Barcelona) and Kosovare Asllani (Milan). Captain and 38-year old veteran Caroline Seger is still one of the best in the middle of the park, as is veteran keeper Hedvig Lindahl and center-back Amanda Ilestedt. Still, Italy's influence in this squad is noteworthy. A quartet from Italian power Juventus speaks to real talent in defense, midfield, and especially attack. Barbara Bonansea and captain Cristiana Girelli were the lifeblood of Italy's surprising quarterfinal run 4 years ago, and are back to lead the line again.
Group Prediction
Barring stunning upsets by South Africa, and/or a collapse by Sweden-- neither of which I think is going to happen, unfortunately for the entertainment value of the tournament --the real drama in this group will take place on the first matchday, when Italy and Argentina face off. I think Sweden will finish an easy 1st and South Africa an easy 4th, so that matchup could essentially decide who will join the Swedes in the Round of 16 and who will head home after the group stage. I wouldn't be shocked to see Argentina come in more prepared and upset the Italians, but I'm going to opt for the talent and experience advantage the Azzure have.
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