New Zealand is gearing up for a momentous occasion as they take part in Group A of the Women’s World Cup on home soil alongside Norway, Switzerland, and the Philippines.
Norway will be determined to rebound from their disappointing showing at the 2022 European Championships, which included an 8-0 thrashing from the Lionesses.
The Philippines are striving for improvement while Switzerland will want to show that their dramatic qualification was deserved.
Here are 90min’s players to watch from Group A.
Ali Riley is poised to make a significant impact as she leads the co-hosts this summer in her fifth World Cup. At 34 years old, Riley brings a wealth of experience to the table, having also participated in four Olympic Games.
Not only does she hold the captain’s armband for New Zealand, but the American-born defender also skippers NWSL side Angel City.
The full-back excels in tightly tracking and marking opposition forwards, effectively neutralising their impact on the game. She also constantly makes it hard for opponents to pull her out of position or catch her in one-on-one situations.
With a formidable blend of experience and tenacity, Riley is undeniably one to watch this summer.
Lia Walti has been dubbed one of the best midfielders in the world, boasting an unrivalled importance to Switzerland.
Having recently inked a new contract with Arsenal, Walti has been a pivotal figure since joining the Gunners in 2018, as she continues to be an undisputed starter.
She did suffer a nasty injury a month ago that put her out for the rest of the season, but team medics are confident she’ll be fit to light up the World Cup. That’s only good news for those who enjoy watching the best.
Serving as an engine in the middle of the pitch, she covers an immense amount of ground and is one of football’s finest ball progressors.
Her ability to dictate play and be a stable presence in front of a back four means she’ll be an indispensable asset to Switzerland.
Tahnai Annis may not be the loudest or most aggressive player on the pitch, but make no mistake, she is the kind of leader that the Philippines can count on.
Playing predominantly as an attacking midfielder, Annis has a knack for stepping up in crucial moments. The 33-year-old scored the equalising goal in the 89th minute against Nepal during the 2021 Asian Cup qualifiers and unleashed two long-range screamers against Indonesia in the continental competition, which helped her team qualify for their first-ever World Cup. She is the type of player everyone wants on their side.
Annis’ composure and ability to deliver in crucial moments make her a player that the team have come to rely on. If the Philippines are to mount any sort of upset at this tournament, it will come through her.
When it comes to star power, Norway’s Guro Reiten is a name that stands out among the rest.
She recently helped Chelsea secure the domestic double, becoming an integral part of Emma Hayes’s first XI, especially in the absence of Fran Kirby and Pernille Harder, who were sidelined due to injury. She and Sam Kerr make quite the dynamic duo, with Reiten constantly assisting the Australian striker.
Her impact has been so great that Hayes even admitted that she “carried the team for large parts of this year”.
Reiten enters the World Cup in an incredible run of form, and Norway’s strikers will be especially happy she’s on their side as an unrelenting threat to any opponent.
Caroline Graham Hansen has established herself as a versatile goalscoring machine.
The winger’s lightning-fast speed and impressive skills can leave opponents in the dust, but she isn’t just about flashy footwork. She’s a playmaker extraordinaire. Her vision on the field is top-notch, and she can deliver pinpoint passes to set up scoring opportunities like no other. Defences crumble when she’s on the attack.
And let’s not forget her goalscoring prowess. 124 senior club goals, and 44 for Norway. It’s no surprise she’s been instrumental in Barcelona’s success, winning four league titles and contributing to two Champions League triumphs.
Despite all the success, Graham Hansen is still shockingly underappreciated – failing to ever make the shortlist for the Ballon d’Or – but this World Cup might finally be where she finally breaks free from the underrated status and receives the recognition she deserves.
