The Philippines Women will start their first-ever Women's World Cup campaign when they face Switzerland Women at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

Switzerland, meanwhile, are set to make their second World Cup appearance after previously competing at the 2015 tournament.

Match preview

The Philippines are preparing to make their first appearance at a men's or women's World Cup after securing their place in Australia and New Zealand with a fine performance at the 2022 Asia Cup.

Knowing that a semi-final place would be enough to qualify, the Philippines finished second in their group to advance to the knockout stage, where they managed to beat Chinese Tapei on penalties to progress to the last four.

Although their tournament was brought to an end by a 2-0 defeat to South Korea, they could still celebrate their best performance at an Asian Cup and World Cup qualification.

As the lowest-ranked team in a group that contains New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland, Alen Stajcic's side will have to produce some of their best performances in the next three games if they are to trouble their opponents.

They do head into the tournament off the back of a positive run of form that has seen them win five of their last six matches.

Switzerland secured their place in Australia and New Zealand with a dramatic playoff victory over Wales in October.

After playing out a 1-1 draw in regulation time, the playoff encounter appeared to be heading to penalties until Fabienne Humm scored a 121st-minute winner to send her country to their second World Cup finals.

In their previous appearance at the tournament in 2015, Switzerland advanced to the knockout rounds, before they were beaten 1-0 by Canada in the last 16.

La Nati head into the 2023 World Cup in poor form, having failed to win any of their last seven games since beating Wales in Zurich.

They have at least proven to be a tough team to beat, with five of those seven matches finishing all square, including their final two warm-up games against Zambia and Morocco.

Team News

Olivia McDaniel will start in goal for the Philippines, and she could be protected by the central-defensive pairing of Hali Long and Dominique Randle.

Tahnai Annis will captain her country at the tournament, and she is set to take her place in central midfield alongside Jaclyn Sawicki and Sara Eggesvik.

With chances expected to be few and far between for the Philippines, Carleigh Frilles could be given the lonely task of leading the line for the tournament opener.

As for Switzerland, 16-year-old midfielder Iman Beney had to be replaced by Amira Arfaoui after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Luana Buhler is set to start in central defence alongside Julia Stierli, while Viola Calligaris and Noelle Maritz could operate as the two full-backs.

With over 100 caps to her name, the experienced Lia Walti will be hoping to dictate the game from the middle of the park.

Philippines Women possible starting lineup:
McDaniel; Barker, Long, Randle, Harrison; Quezada, Eggesvik, Annis, Sawicki, Bolden; Frilles

Switzerland Women possible starting lineup:
Thalmann; Calligaris, Buhler, Stierli, Maritz; Reuteler, Walti, Sow; Bachmann, Crnogorcevic, Humm

We say: Philippines Women 0-4 Switzerland Women

Switzerland may be winless in seven matches, but we think that they will have too much quality for the Philippines, and as a result, we expect them to claim a comfortable victory in Friday's contest.

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