MANILA, Oct 22: The Philippine women’s national football team was drawn into Group A and joined co-host New Zealand for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Completing the cast over in Group A are European giants Norway and Switzerland as the official draw concluded on Saturday, Oct. 22, in Auckland, New Zealand.
But it also meant that the Filipinas, ranked No. 53 in the world, avoided powerhouse teams in top-ranked United States of America, Sweden (No. 2), Germany (No. 3), England (No. 4), and France (No. 5).
The top five teams were drawn into Groups E, G, H, D, and F, respectively.
The biggest threat for the Philippines in Group A would be Norway, which is ranked No. 12 in the world. New Zealand and Switzerland trail each other in the rankings, placing 21st and 22nd, respectively.
The Filipinas face an acid test first against the Swiss on July 21 in Dunedin. They will next face the Kiwis in Wellington on July 26 while their final group match against Norway is slated on July 30.
A top two finish for the Filipina booters would secure them for the next stage in the knockout phase.
Fortunately for the Filipinas, their friendly match against the Football Ferns, New Zealand’s women’s national football team, would be put to another test anew this time on the most prestigious stage of football. During their friendly, the Philippines absorbed a 1-2 loss against the Kiwis.
Group B consists of Australia, Republic of Ireland, Nigeria and Canada; Group C is composed of Spain, Costa Rica, Zambia, and Japan; Group D is made up of England, Denmark, China, and Group B play-off winner.
The USA leads Group E with Vietnam, the Netherlands, and Group A play-off winner; France spearheads Group F with Jamaica, Brazil, and Group C play-off winner; Sweden is at the forefront of Group G with South Africa, Italy, and Argentina; while Germany heads Group H with Morocco, Colombia, and Korea Republic.
