New Zealand’s group opponents at the FIFA Women’s World Cup are moving closer to naming their squads for the tournament that starts on July 20.
The Football Ferns, currently ranked #26 by FIFA, play Norway, the Philippines and Switzerland in their group matches.
Main photo: The Switzerland team are ranked 20th in the world and will play New Zealand in their final group game. Photo credit: Frank Haug.
Teams are allowed to name 23 players for the World Cup tournament to be co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia.
Though Norway have not named a provisional squad yet, they called up 23 players for their two latest friendly internationals, in which they lost 4-2 to Spain and drew 3-3 with Sweden.
Coach Hege Riise used the following players for those games:
Norway
Current FIFA ranking #12
Goalkeepers
Guro Pettersen (Vålerenga)
Sunniva Skoglund (Stabæk)
Aurora Mikalsen (Brann)
Defenders
Anja Sønstevold (Inter Milan)
Mathilde Harviken (Rosenborg)
Tuva Hansen (Bayern Munich)
Maren Mjelde (Chelsea)
Marit Bratberg Lund (Brann)
Malinn Brenn (Como)
Midfielders
Ingrid Syrstad Engen (Barcelona)
Vilde Bøe Risa (Manchester United)
Guro Reiten (Chelsea)
Thea Bjelde (Vålerenga)
Amalie Eikeland (Reading)
Julie Blakstad (Manchester City)
Frida Maanum (Arsenal)
Elisabeth Terland (Brighton)
Cesilie Andreassen (Rosenborg)
Forwards
Karina Sævik (Avaldsnes)
Ada Hegerberg (Lyon)
Emilie Haavi (Roma)
Anna Jøsendal (Rosenborg)
Philippines take provisional squad to Sydney training camp
Filipinas coach Alen Stajcic has named 29 players to attend a pre-tournament training camp in Sydney, during which the numbers will trim to 23 for the tournament.
The surprise selection was fullback Angie Beard who has switched allegiance to the Philippines having played three games for Australia’s Matildas in 2021. She is eligible due to her Filipino mother and because her three games for Australia were in friendlies.
She plays club football for A-League side Western United.
Co-captains of the Philippines are Hali Long and Tahnai Annis.
Philippines
Current FIFA ranking #46
Goalkeepers
Kiara Fontanilla
Kaiya Jota
Olivia McDaniel
Inna Palacios
Defenders
Maya Alcantara
Alicia Barker
Angie Beard
Reina Bonta
Malea Cesar
Jessika Cowart
Sofia Harrison
Hali Long
Dominique Randle
Midfielders
Tahnai Annis
Ryley Bugay
Anicka Castañeda
Sara Eggesvik
Kaya Hawkinson
Eva Madarang
Jessica Miclat
Isabella Pasion
Quinley Quezada
Jaclyn Sawicki
Forwards
Sarina Bolden
Isabella Flanigan
Carleigh Frilles
Katrina Guillou
Chandler McDaniel
Meryll Serrano
Swiss coach keeping options open
Like New Zealand’s Jitka Klimková, who invited 41 players to the Ferns’ pre-tournament training programme, Switzerland head coach Inka Grings is keeping an open mind on final squad selections.
READ MORE: Ferns trim size of training group as selection nears for FIFA Women’s World Cup >>>>
READ MORE: Forty-one players to take part in Ferns’ training programme ahead of World Cup >>>>
However, based on recent selections, the following 29 players are in contention to make the tournament squad.
Switzerland
Current FIFA ranking #20
Goalkeepers
Gaelle Thalmann (Real Betis)
Livia Peng (Levante)
Elvira Herzog (RB Leipzig)
Seraina Friedli (Zurich)
Defenders
Noelle Maritz (Arsenal)
Viola Calligaris (Levante)
Luana Buhler (Hoffenheim)
Julia Stierli (Zurich)
Naomi Megroz (Zurich)
Lara Marti Bayer (Leverkusen)
Nadine Riesen (Zurich)
Ella Touon (SGS Essen)
Kattalin Stahl (Servette)
Eseosa Aigbogun (Paris FC)
Midfielders
Lia Walti (Arsenal)
Geraldine Reuteler (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Coumba Sow (Servette)
Sandrine Mauron (Servette)
Riola Xhemaili (Freiburg)
Seraini Piubel (Zurich)
Marion Rey (Zurich)
Ana Maria Crnogorcevic (Barcelona)
Forwards
Fabienne Humm (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Alisha Lehmann (Zurich)
Meriame Terchoun (Aston Villa)
Aurélie Csillag (Dijon)
Aurélie Csillag (Basel)
Svenja Fölmli (Freiburg)
Ramona Bachmann (Paris Saint-Germain)
Fixtures
Current world rankings in brackets
Game to be played on Thursday July 20, 2023
New Zealand (#26) v Norway (#12)
Eden Park, Auckland, 7pm (NZT)
Game to be played on Tuesday July 23, 2023
New Zealand (#26) v Philippines (#46)
Sky Stadium, Wellington, 5.30pm (NZT)
Game to be played on Sunday July 30, 2023
Switzerland (#20) v New Zealand (#26)
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 7pm (NZT)
