Never has ‘Group of Death’ seemed so accurate
FRANCE: FIFA ranking: 3
MANAGED by the suave Herve Renard, who shot to global fame when he masterminded Saudi Arabia’s shock 2-1 win over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, France were unlucky to lose to co-hosts Australia on penalties in last year’s World Cup quarter-final.
Lyon, one of the powerhouses of European club football with six Champions Leagues in the past eight seasons, provide many of their stars, from the imperious Wendi Renard in central-defence to Kadidiatou Diani and Delphine Cascarino up front.
They swept Ireland aside in Tallaght last July, winning 3-0 in the final friendly before the World Cup. France are also driven by the fact they have yet to win a major tournament.
ENGLAND: FIFA ranking: 4
REIGNING European champions and runners-up to Spain at the World Cup, there is quality throughout Sarina Wiegman’s side.
The exploits of Mary Earps in goals earned her the BBC sports personality of the year award last December, following in her England teammate Beth Mead’s footsteps.
England are captained by Leah Williamson, Katie McCabe’s teammate at Arsenal, and in the likes of Keira Walsh, Lauren James, Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly, there will be plenty of players familiar to the Irish squad — and supporters.
Given the ability strewn throughout thier squad, England are too good for the second seeds, but found themselves in that pot after a disappointing Nations League campaign where they finished second to the Netherlands.
The countries last played competitively in 1986, for the Euro 87 qualifiers.
SWEDEN: FIFA ranking: 5
THE Swedes will be very familiar to this group of Irish players, as they were in the same World Cup qualifying group, and Ireland’s 1-1 draw with them in Gothenburg, where they led for 40 minutes, was arguably the most impressive performance on the road to their first major tournament.
Ireland backed it up by only losing only 1-0 in Tallaght.
Still, Sweden proved their worth at the World Cup, knocking out the USA and Japan, on their way to the semifinals and third place.
With McCabe’s Gunners teammates Amanda Illestedt and Stina Blackstenius, Manchester City star Filippa Angeldal and Barcelona’s Fridolina Rolfo, there is talent everywhere.