Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 22) — The Philippine women’s national football team will play in Group A of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup following a draw ceremony held Saturday in Auckland, New Zealand.
The Filipinas, ranked 53rd in the world, will face co-host New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland in the group stage of the global showpiece.
The Philippines will kick off its historic campaign against Switzerland on July 21 in Dunedin, then with a match against New Zealand on July 25 in Wellington, and Norway on July 30 in Auckland.
Norway is the highest ranked team in Group A at No. 12, followed by Switzerland at No. 21, and New Zealand at No. 22.
New Zealand is the most familiar to the Filipinas having battled them in a friendly match last month, with the Philippines absorbing a 2-1 loss in a game held in California, USA.
The Filipinas avoided the strongest contenders in two-time defending champion US and 2019 runner-up and second-ranked Netherlands, which were both drawn in Group E together with Vietnam and the playoff winner from Group A.
Co-host Australia is in Group B alongside Ireland, Nigeria, and Canada.
Meanwhile, Group C has Spain, Costa Rica, Zambia and Japan while Group D consists of England, Denmark, China and the playoff winner from Group B.
Group F is composed of France, Jamaica, Brazil and the playoff winner from Group C.
Grup G has Sweden, South Africa, Italy and Argentina while Germany, Morocco, Colombia and South Korea were bracketed in Group H.
A top 2 finish for the Philippines would secure them a slot in the knockout phase.
