PREVIEW: Sweden v South Africa – FIFA Women’s World Cup Team News, Predicted Lineups and Where to Watch

Group G action at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will commence on Sunday, 23 July 2022 as Sweden face South Africa at the Wellington Regional Stadium. The Blågult have a successful history in this competition, having qualified for all nine editions and claiming medals on four occasions – although they’ve never lifted the elusive trophy.

Ranked third in the world in the latest FIFA rankings, Sweden will feel confident in their abilities and strive to progress to the final – where they stand arguably their best chance yet of finally laying their hands on the grand prize.

Their opponents, the Banyana Banyana, are still relative newcomers on the global stage. South Africa first qualified for the Women’s World Cup in 2019, but the side tasted defeat in all three of their group stage games and were soon sent packing. Since then though, Desiree Ellis has overseen the nation’s transformation – they lifted the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, and will look to improve on their early exit four years ago.

This South African side doesn’t feature very many household names, unlike their Group G rivals. Peter Gerhardsson has one of the strongest attacking trios in the tournament – with Sofia Jakobsson, Fridolina Rolfö and Stina Blackstenius all capable of punishing the South African back line.