by Aimee Logan (19/6/23)
Above: Switzerland celebrate their World Cup qualification after defeating Wales in the play-off. Photo: FIFA.
Switzerland, known as ‘La Nati’, are set to play in their second FIFA Women’s World Cup this year. They will be hoping to counteract their disappointing 2022 Euros performance and make it past the group stage in the competition.
It has recently been announced that the nation is going to host the next UEFA Women’s Euros in 2025, bringing arguably more attention to the team and supporters are eager to see how they are going to progress this campaign.
Squad
To be announced
Head Coach
In charge since January this year, Inka Grings is yet to record a win with the side. The ex-German professional player is heading to her first World Cup as a coach this summer but she’s not new to the world stage after representing her native country in both 1999 and 2011. She is eager to make an impact on the team and push them further in the campaign.
How they qualified
Switzerland finished as runners-up to Italy in Group G of the European qualification competition. With six wins, their sole loss came at home to Italy, with one draw against Romania. This put them through to a play-off against Wales where a goal from Fabienne Humm in the final seconds of extra time secured their win and meant they had a place on the plane to New Zealand.
World Cup History
This is Switzerland’s only second appearance at the World Cup. Their previous adventure came in the 2015 tournament in Canada. They made it through to the last sixteen after a 10-1 win over Ecuador and defeats to Japan (1-0) and Cameroon (2-1). They were defeated in the last sixteen by hosts Canada 1-0.
Key Player
Ana-Maria Crnogorčević is La Nati’s most capped senior player along with being the top goal scorer for her country. She signed for Barcelona in 2019 and plays consistently for her club. Her experience and talent are something defenders should fear during the coming tournament.
One to watch
Lia Wälti has captained the side since 2019 and is arguably one of the best holding- midfielders in the world. She recently suffered a foot injury near to the end of the WSL season with Arsenal, but due to its low severity, she is still set to captain the side at the tournament.
Success would be
A successful summer for the team would be making it through the group stages and ideally pass into the round of 16 to equal their previous achievement at the tournament in 2015.
Prediction
I see them as runners-up in their group to Norway and then get knocked out in the round of 16.
Group A Fixtures
21st July – Philippines, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin.
25th July – Norway, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton.
30th July – New Zealand, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin.
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To read the other World Cup nation previews published so far, click on this link: https://impetusfootball.org/international-football/
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