It’s the final countdown! The FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand starts on Thursday, where 14 She-Wolves will be involved for the German, Dutch and Swedish teams. Here are the most important facts and details about the group stage from a Wolfsburg point of view:
Germany kick off on 24 July
There are no fewer than 10 She-Wolves in the Germany World Cup squad: Merle Frohms, Chantal Hagel, Marina Hegering, Kathrin Hendrich, Felicitas Rauch, Jule Brand, Svenja Huth, Lena Lattwein, Lena Oberdorf and Alexandra Popp (Captain). The first match for them is on Monday 24 July at 10:30*, when they take on Morocco in Group H. That’s followed by games against Colombia (Sunday 30 July, 11:30) and South Korea (Thursday 3 August, 12:00). In the team’s final warm-up friendly before the tournament, Huth had to deputise in an unusual role at right-back, and it looks likely that she’ll also be used in that position at the World Cup. Despite their rather underwhelming showing in the friendlies, Germany are among the favourites in the view of many pundits.
Sweden start against South Africa
VfL striker Rebecka Blomqvist is part of Sweden’s squad in Australia and New Zealand. The Scandinavians could also have a say in the battle for the title, having been semi-finalists at both the 2019 World Cup and the 2022 Euro. First up for the Swedes in Group G is South Africa on Sunday 23 July at 7:00. After that they face Italy (Saturday 29 July, 9:30) and Argentina (Wednesday 2 August, 9:00).
Netherlands in a group with USA
The Netherlands team includes Wolfsburg defensive duo Dominique Janssen and Lynn Wilms as well as Caitlin Dijkstra, who has been loaned out to FC Twente for the forthcoming season. They play their first match in Group E on Sunday 23 July at 9:30 against Portugal, followed by clashes with defending champions USA (Thursday 27 July, 3:00) and Vietnam (Tuesday 1 August, 9:00). After a poor European Championship last year, ex-VfL coach Andries Jonker’s side will be hoping to replicate previous successes – the Oranje won the Euro on home soil in 2017 and finished runners-up at the last World Cup four years ago.
*all times CEST
