Group A:

Frida Maanum- Norway: Fresh off the back of an outstanding season in the WSL and on the continent that produced sixteen goals and ten assists, Frida Maanum joins up with a star-studded Norway side who boast the likes of Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen going forward, and Chelsea’s Guro Reiten to complement Maanum in midfield. Maanum made her debut for Norway at the age of seventeen but can already boast sixty-six caps for her country, and will play a key role as Hege Riise’s side try to bounce back from a disappointing European Championships last year.

Noelle Maritz- Switzerland: California-born Maritz recently brought up a century of appearances for Switzerland, for whom she often features as a left-back, an asset that proved useful for Arsenal occasionally last season. Maritz started for Switzerland in all three group games at last summer’s Euros, and Switzerland have work to do to ensure that they can progress into the knockout rounds this time around in what will be a difficult group.

Lia Walti- Switzerland: Tuesday July 25 will see Arsenal midfield partners Lia Walti and Frida Maanum go head to head for their respective nations in what should make for enthralling viewing. The Swiss skipper (one of two Arsenal players who will captain their country at this World Cup, along with Katie McCabe) missed the final games of Arsenal’s league season after being stretchered off against Everton in May, and every Arsenal fan will be delighted to see her back out on the pitch again.

Group B:

Steph Catley- Australia: Australia’s vice captain signed a new contract last month to keep her at Arsenal, and will now turn her attention to World Cup glory on home soil. The Arsenal left back has played over one hundred times for her country and will take on Katie McCabe and Ireland in front of 82,500 fans in Sydney as Australia kick-off their campaign on Thursday.

Caitlin Foord- Australia: 28 year-old Foord is set to represent Australia at her fourth World Cup, and it won’t come any bigger than this one. After eleven goals and nine assists in a stellar club campaign, Foord will link up with Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler and Hayley Raso in an Australia attack that will take some stopping. Foord often plays in a more central role for Australia and is capable of striking fear into any defence with the ball at her feet.

Sabrina D’Angelo- Canada: Only one player gets to be a goalkeeper and D’Angelo is no exception. Having fought with Manu Zinsberger to start for Arsenal since joining in January (and largely pushing her very close), D’Angelo will go into the World Cup as Canada’s second choice between the sticks behind San Diego Wave’s Kailen Sheridan. D’Angelo did make one appearance in the 2016 Olympic Games, as Canada won Bronze.

Cloé Lacasse- Canada: In July 2020, FIFA denied Cloé Lacasse’s application to play for Iceland, where the striker was playing her club football and was granted Icelandic citizenship after four years with ÍBV. Sixteen months later, Ontario-born Lacasse had made her debut for Canada against Mexico, and the striker now has nineteen caps to her name and is all set for her first World Cup. Lacasse, who joined Arsenal earlier this summer after four years and numerous trophies and goals with Benfica, will be one for Gooners to keep a close eye on before she makes her debut for her new club.

Katie McCabe- Republic of Ireland: Ireland are one of eight nations playing in their very first World Cup this summer, and Vera Pauw’s side will get their campaign underway on the opening night of the competition against Australia in Sydney. McCabe, who became the youngest captain in Ireland’s history under Colin Bell in 2017, will lead her side to their maiden World Cup, and has emphasised that the Irish will relish their underdog role in a tough group.

Player Profile: Katie McCabe ??#COYGIG | #OUTBELIEVE pic.twitter.com/Rhcl7AkkUh

— Ireland Football ???? (@IrelandFootball) July 19, 2023

Group D:

Kathrine Kuhl- Denmark: Arsenal fans have seen some glimpses of what the talented Kuhl can produce in midfield after the 20 year old joined the Gunners from Nordsjaelland in January, and there will be pressure on Kuhl’s shoulders to deliver in Denmark’s first World Cup since 2007. Former Arsenal defender Simone Boye Sorensen is part of the Danish squad led by Pernille Harder, with Real Madrid’s latest signing Signe Bruun also leading the line. The Danes wll take on England on Friday, July 28.

Alessia Russo- England: Look away now, Manchester United supporters. Russo, and England manager Sarina Wiegman, was keen to seal her move to Arsenal before travelling to Australia, and her wish was fulfilled with Russo officially becoming a Gunner on July 4. With Beth Mead sidelined, Russo will expect even more of an involvement in the World Cup after coming off the bench in every single game of England’s Euro 2022 winning campaign.

Lotte Wubben-Moy- England: Wubben-Moy was Russo’s teammate and roommate during their time playing college soccer in North Carolina, and the two are now both off to their first World Cup. The Arsenal defender improved as last season went on under Jonas Eidevall, stepping up in the absence of Leah Williamson and at times Rafaelle, but is likely to start the tournament amongst England’s substitutes.

Group E:

Victoria Pelova- Netherlands: Former Arsenal stars Jill Roord, Danielle van de Donk and Dominique Jansenn will all feature for the Dutch Down Under but Victoria Pelova will be flying the flag for the current Gunners squad, with Vivianne Miedema a significant absentee after sustaining an ACL injury last year. Pelova was simply superb for Arsenal after making the switch from Ajax and will once again have the opportunity to show what she can do on the world stage.

Group G:

Lina Hurtig- Sweden: It was a frustrating debut season for Hurtig who struggled for any kind of regular football with Arsenal due to injuries, but the Swede will be keen to show Arsenal fans what she can do for her national side. An U19 Euro winner earlier in her career, Hurtig has netted 20 goals for the senior side and is one of three Arsenal players in Peter Gerhardsson’s squad.

Stina Blackstenius- Sweden: Blackstenius netted a hat-trick in Sweden’s final warmup game before the World Cup after scoring eighteen goals in all competitions for Arsenal last season as the Gunners won the Conti Cup and reached the Champions League semi finals. With the introductions of Russo and Lacasse, and Mead and Miedema waiting in the wings, Blackstenius will be keen to continue her excellent form into next season whilst helping Sweden find success.

Amanda Ilestedt- Sweden: Another new signing who will join up with the Arsenal squad for the first time following the World Cup, making the switch from PSG earlier this summer. A silver medalist in the 2016 Olympics, Ilestdedt boasts plenty of experience with 64 caps for Sweden. Jonas Eidevall, who will be on punditry duties for the BBC for this World Cup, told arsenal.com that Ilestedt “brings extensive international experience and I believe she has a great mix of presence and technical ability, making her an ideal fit for our squad.”