Sweden
FIFA ranking: 3
Nickname: Blågult (Blue-Yellow)
Coach: Peter Gerhardsson
How they qualified: Topped the Republic of Ireland's UEFA qualifying Group A. The 1-1 draw Ireland secured in Gothenburg thanks to a Kate McCabe strike was the only match the Swedes didn't win.
Previous tournaments: Sweden have appeared at all eight previous editions of the tournament, finishing second in 2003 and third three times: 1991, 2011 and 2019.
Prospects: Perennial contenders, who will be expected to top the group. Beaten 4-0 in the Euro 2022 semi-finals by eventual champions England.
Italy
FIFA ranking: 16
Nickname: Le Azzurre (The Blues)
Coach: Milena Bertolini
How they qualified: Appearing at consecutive World Cups for the first time after winning nine out 10 games to top their group, a 2-1 defeat to second-placed Switzerland - who also made it - the only blip. Those were the only goals they conceded in qualifying.
Previous tournaments: This is their third World Cup appearance, reaching the quarter-finals in 1991 and 2019 is as far as they have got.
Prospects: Disappointed at Euro 2022, finishing bottom of a group containing semi-finalists France, Belgium and Iceland. Beating Sweden a tall order but favoured to finish second.
Argentina
FIFA ranking: 28
Nickname: Las Guerreras (The Warriors)
Coach: German Portanova
How they qualified:
Argentina beat Paraguay 3-1 in the playoff for third place after being edged out by hosts Colombia 1-0 in the Copa America semi-final. They qualified for the Women's World Cup with ease as one of the top four teams.
Previous tournaments:
They have played three times in the Women's World Cup. They won the Copa America, formerly known as the South American Women's Championship, by beating Brazil in 2006.
Prospects: Argentina have never progressed beyond the group stage and will face three fierce rivals in Group G: Italy, South Africa and Sweden.
South Africa
FIFA ranking: 54
Nickname: Banyana Banyana (The Girls)
Coach: Desiree Ellis
How they qualified:
South Africa beat hosts Morocco 2-1 in the final of the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, which served as Africa's qualification event for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand. Striker Hildah Magaia scored twice in eight minutes as South Africa claimed their first Cup of Nations title after having finished runners-up five times, including the previous edition in 2018.
Previous tournaments:
South Africa have participated in the Women's World Cup once, in its last 2019 edition in France. They lost all their games - against Spain, China and Germany - and were knocked out at the group stage.
South Africa have participated in two Olympic tournaments, in 2012 and 2016, also finishing at the group stage both times.
Prospects:
Having been drawn in a challenging Group G with Sweden, who have only once failed to advance past the group stage, South Africa must take their chances against Italy and Argentina if they are to reach their first World Cup knockout stage. Even though Italy disappointed at the 2022 Euros by being eliminated in the group, and Argentina failed to win a single game in their three previous World Cup appearances, progressing may still be an uphill job for Desiree Ellis' side.
