The German women’s team, the 2003 and 2007 world champions, opened this year’s Women’s World Cup with a match against Morocco in Melbourne (Australia) on July 24. Germany will also face Colombia and South Korea in Group H.
Hegering (No. 5) is an important player in the German women’s defense
Hegering is the cornerstone of the German defense but is struggling with an ankle injury, while centre-back Dynamo Oberdorf has a thigh strain. The coach of the German women’s team Martina Voss-Tecklenburg also expressed dissatisfaction when almost losing the aforementioned key defenders in the opening match.
Hegering and Oberdorf both played for Wolfsburg in the Champions League final. Both were key members of the German women’s team that was defeated by England in the EURO 2022 final at Wembley. They are likely to be replaced by players Sjoeke Nuesken and Melanie Leupolz in the match against Morocco, the team’s first appearance in the Women’s World Cup.
Defender Oberdorf (6) is also injured
Germany lost 2-3 to Zambia at home in a friendly warm-up two weeks ago. It was a shock defeat that defender Kathrin Hendrich describes as a wake-up call for a team that is aiming for a third world championship.
Despite leaving Hegering and Oberdorf out of the first match, coach Voss-Tecklenburg believes that Germany can aim to win the Women’s World Cup this year. “We are on schedule and no longer have any problems. We want to compete for the title and the team is very determined.”