Group A Spotlight: New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Switzerland

New Zealand

New Zealand, ranked 26th in the world and co-hosting the tournament, is entering its sixth Women's World Cup with the aim to secure their first win in the finals after failing in their previous 15 matches. While they have never advanced past the group stage, a strong start against Norway in the opening game could provide a much-needed boost to their campaign, especially with the advantage of the home crowd cheering them on.

Norway

Norway, the 12th ranked team and former champions in 1995, have seen recent performances wane, with a group stage exit at Euro 2022 following an 8-0 defeat against England. However, under the coaching of former star player Hege Riise, they cruised through World Cup qualifying and have shown a marked improvement, gaining victories and draws against top teams such as the Netherlands, England, France, and Sweden, aiming to reach the last eight at least.

Phillippines

The Philippines, debuting at the Women's World Cup and ranked 46th, are coming off strong performances in the Women's Asian Cup semi-finals and the Southeast Asian Games, where they clinched bronze. Despite being the underdogs in Group A, they are led by experienced coach Alen Stajcic and hope to create a few surprises during the tournament.

Switzerland

Switzerland, ranked 20th globally, has qualified for their second Women's World Cup by defeating Wales in a playoff, after coming second to Italy in their qualifying group. After a disappointing European Championship where they failed to win a match, new coach Inka Grings aims to guide the team into the knockout stages, boosting morale ahead of the Euro 2025, which they will host.

Group A Star Player: Ada Hegerberg (Norway)

Ada Hegerberg, born on July 10, 1995, is an Norwegian footballer, often compared to the likes of Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland due to her incredible scoring prowess. She is recognized for her lethal precision in front of the goal, which is highlighted by her record-breaking tally of 59 Champions League goals. Hegerberg has maintained an impressive scoring average of more than a goal per game for her club, Lyon, leading the team to eight French league titles and six Champions League victories.

Another significant milestone in Hegerberg's illustrious career was being the first female winner of the Ballon d'Or, solidifying her position as one of the top players in women's soccer. Despite her unparalleled success, she stepped away from the national team for five years, until 2022, due to her concerns about the treatment of women's soccer in Norway. With her return to the World Cup stage, Hegerberg's presence is set to energize the Norwegian squad and add another chapter to her remarkable footballing journey.