Other than the United States, only one other country in the history of the Women’s World Cup has multiple titles to their name – Germany, who won back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2007, which earns them the second-highest FIFA ranking in the world.
No one else in their group is near the top 10, with Korea Republic the next highest at 17, followed by Colombia at 25 and newcomers Morocco at 72. But Group H is dynamic, fast and exciting, and will be doing everything they can to cause an upset for the highly-ranked Germans.
GROUP A SCHEDULE
July 24: Germany vs. Morocco
July 25: Colombia vs. Korea Republic
July 30: Korea Republic vs. Morocco
July 30: Germany vs. Colombia
Aug. 3: Korea Republic vs. Germany
Aug. 3: Morocco vs. Colombia
THE TEAMS
Germany
FIFA world ranking: 2
Odds to win the World Cup: +710 (via Sports Interaction)
Odds to win the group: -2000 (via Sports Interaction)
Previous World Cup appearances: Eight
Best showing: 2003, 2007 (Champions)
2019 World Cup: Lost to Sweden in quarter-finals
Manager: Martina Voss-Tecklenburg
Probable formation: 4-3-3
Probable starting XI: Merle Frohms (VFL Wolfsburg), Marina Hegering (VfL Wolfsburg), Kathrin Hendrich (VfL Wolfsburg), Felicitas Rauch (VfL Wolfsburg), Sara Doorsoun (Eintracht Frankfurt), Sara Däbritz (Olympique Lyonnais), Lina Magull (Bayern Munich), Lena Oberdorf (VfL Wolfsburg), Alexandra Popp (VfL Wolfsburg), Lea Schüller (Bayern Munich), Tabea Waßmuth (VfL Wolfsburg)
THE BIG QUESTION:
Can Germany find success again after losing out in the European 2022 final?
THE PULSE:
Germany brings a mix of veteran talent and rising stars to the table, with Wolfsburg teammates Alexandra Popp and Lena Oberdorf 11 years apart in age but both bringing a hunger to the global stage after their Champions League campaign ended without a title.
Expected to run through their group with ease, Germany is coming off a 2-1 defeat to England in extra time of the European 2022 final which would have added a ninth European title to their resume.
The last time the German side won an international competition was eight years ago at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games, and their goal is to meet the United States in the final and block them from getting a three-peat.
THE X-FACTOR:
Popp was unavailable for the Euro final as she suffered an injury during warm-ups, but scored six of Germany’s goals in the competition up until that point. She also scored three goals in Wolfsburg’s Champions League campaign this past season.
She has scored over 60 international goals for Germany, has set a record for scoring in five consecutive European games, and will overall be a force in the front for her country. Injuries have plagued Popp throughout her career, but she will always return to represent her country.
Korea Republic
FIFA world ranking: 17
Odds to win the World Cup: +17,100 (via Sports Interaction)
Odds to win the group: +1,759 (via Sports Interaction)
Previous World Cup appearances: Three
Best showing: Canada 2016 (Round of 16)
2019 World Cup: Group stage (0-0-3)
Manager: Collin Bell
Probable formation: 4-2-3-1
Probable starting XI: Kim Jung Mi (Incheon Hyundai SRA), Choo Hyo-joo (Suwon UDC), Shim Seo-yeon (Suwon UDC), Lim Seon-joo (Incheon Hyundai SRA), Jang Sel-gi (Incheon Hyundai SRA), Kim Hye-ri (Incheon Hyundai SRA), Cho So-Hyun (Tottenham Hotspur), Ji So-Yun (Suwon UDC), Park Eun-sun (Seoul WFC), Choe Yu-ri Incheon Hyundai SRA), Son Hwa-yeon (Incheon Hyundai SRA).
THE BIG QUESTION:
Can Korea Republic make use of their group drawing and make it past the first round of the knockouts?
THE PULSE:
While Korea has been to three Women’s World Cups before this, they don’t have much to show from their previous appearances, with their only win coming from the 2015 edition of the tournament where they defeated Spain 2-1.
With players like Ji So-yun and Cho Sohyun having experience playing among the best in the women’s game in the Women’s Super League, they bring not only the skills but the pace needed to attack against a tough squad like Germany.
Korea Republic had their best-ever finish at the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, losing 3-2 to powerhouse China, but making it to the final showed that the program has come a long way and is on the upwards trend.
THE X-FACTOR:
Ji So-yun has 67 international goals, leading the women’s national program with her tally and has been named South Korea’s Women’s Footballer of the Year six times for her accomplishments on the pitch.
Ji is known for big goals, like scoring in the 2015 FA Cup final against Sunderland for Chelsea, and has a gift for technique, but has also learned the physicality and direction due to her play in England. She will be heavily relied on to score in big moments for her country.
Colombia
FIFA world ranking: 25
Odds to win the World Cup: +17,500 (via Sports Interaction)
Odds to win the group: +1,183 (via Sports Interaction)
Previous World Cup appearances: Two
Best showing: Canada 2015 (Round of 16)
2019 World Cup: N/A
Manager: Nelson Abadía
Probable formation: 4-2-3-1
Probable starting XI: Catalina Pérez (Avai), Daniela Arias (America de Cali), Jorelyn Carabalí (Atletico Mineiro), Monica Ramos (Gremio), Manuela Vanegas (Real Sociedad), Lorena Bedoya (Real Brasilia), Liana Salazar (Corinthians), Diana Ospina (America de Cali), Leicy Santos (Atletico Madrid), Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid), Catalina Usme (America de Cali)
THE BIG QUESTION:
Can Colombia make it to the group stage after failing to even qualify for the World Cup last time around?
THE PULSE:
Making it to the Women’s World Cup after failing to qualify in 2019, Colombia is already in some hot water after a friendly with Republic of Ireland had to be stopped after 20 minutes do to the physicality.
Colombia are due to play China in a friendly before their World Cup campaign officially starts, but as a country are riding the high of advancing to the final of the 2022 Copa America Feminina defeating Argentina, before they lost 1-0 to Brazil.
Colombia is another squad with a mix of youngsters with star power in Linda Caicedo, as well as the dynamic and veteran presence of players like Leicy Santos and captain Daniela Montoya. They bring physicality for sure, but also talent and speed to this group.
THE X-FACTOR:
Caicedo scored the winner against Argentina to put Colombia into the final of the 2022 Copa America, and won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s most valuable player at just 18 years old.
She scored twice in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in August of 2022, and earned the Silver Ball and the Bronze Boot for her performances in the U17 World Cup in India. Falling short of gold at the U17 World Cup, Caicedo looks to do more damage at the senior level.
Morocco
FIFA world ranking: 72
Odds to win the World Cup: +50,000 (via Sports Interaction)
Odds to win the group: +13,800 (via Sports Interaction)
Previous World Cup appearances: None
Best showing: N/A
2019 World Cup: N/A
Manager: Reynald Pedros
Probable formation: 4-4-2
Probable starting XI: Khadija Er-Rmichi (ASFAR), Zineb Redouani (ASFAR), Sabah Seghir (Sampdoria), Yasmin Mrabet (Levante Las Planas), Hanane Ait El Haj (ASFAR), Élodie Nakkach (Servette), Ghizlane Chebbak (ASFAR), Sarah Kassi (Fleury), Fatima Tagnaout (ASFAR), Kenza Chapelle (Nantes), Ibtissam Jraidi (Al-Ahli)
THE BIG QUESTION:
Will Morocco shock their group and make it to the Round of 16 at their first ever Women’s World Cup?
THE PULSE:
Morocco finished second to South Africa at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which sealed them their spot at the Women’s World Cup for the first time with Ghizlane Chebbak being named player of the tournament.
With players like Rosella Ayane who also have Women’s Super League experience, Morocco has experience in some of the top leagues in the world that will help them to offensively keep up with the other teams in their group.
While no one is expecting Morocco to be playing on the final matchday of the competition, they have the tools needed to be able to make waves in their group, just like the men’s side did in Qatar.
THE X-FACTOR:
Captain Chebbak will be pressured to perform, with the 32-year-old having scored 21 goals in 56 appearances for Morocco. But all eyes will be on Fatima Tagnaout after her recent showings on the global stage.
The 24-year-old was named the best player of the CAF Women’s Champions League with ASFAR, leading them to their first-ever title in the tournament, and will be expected to be a playmaker to set up Chebbak and Ayane.