The prestigious tournament, which is being held in Australia and New Zealand, is fast approaching and excitement is certainly building for the grand event.
A total of 13 members of City’s squad, stretching across seven different countries, have been included in either their nation’s confirmed or provisional squads for the tournament.
Ahead of the first World Cup whistle being blown, we’re taking a look at each City star who will be hoping to reign victorious by the end of the tournament.
Next up, our promising Norwegian winger…
CITY CAREER SO FAR
Competitive debut: 3 February 2022
Appearances: 29
Goals: 10
Honours
Continental Cup: 2021/22
PREVIOUS WORLD CUP PERFORMANCES
Having made her debut in an October 2020 win away to Wales, Blakstad is yet to experience the rigours of a World Cup.
However, she played a vital role in Norway’s journey to and through the 2022 UEFA Women’s Championship in England last summer.
The winger started her nation’s opening Group A win over Northern Ireland and opened the scoring in the 4-1 success at Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium.
That would, unfortunately, be the highlight for Martin Sjogren’s side who were unable to progress out of the group stages after failing to beat England and Austria in the final two matches.
PLAYER PROFILE
One of the most exciting Norwegian talents, Blakstad wasted no time settling into her new surroundings at the Academy Stadium following her arrival in January 2022.
Inside two months of her switch from Rosenborg, the 21-year-old had already lifted her first major honour in sky blue - the 2022 Continental Cup.
A constant threat on the ball with her direct runs and lightning pace, the winger has been a valuable asset to City throughout her time at the Club so far.
After rising through the ranks and continually impressing at three teams in Norway, alongside making her international debut at 19, it’s easy to forget how much football she still has ahead of her.
Across her 29 appearances for Gareth Taylor’s side so far, she has scored 10 goals in all competitions at a strong rate for a winger of a strike every 2.9 matches.
And she exhibited the strong potential she possesses at the beginning of the 2022/23 season by scoring three goals across in as many matches across October.
The first arrived in our 2-1 Barclays Women’s Super League win at Everton, then was followed by strikes in our 3-0 League Cup victory over Sunderland and 3-1 league success over Brighton at the Academy Stadium.
With competition for places heating up towards the end of the campaign, Blakstad moved to Swedish side BK Hacken on loan for the remainder of the season, where she netted once in nine outings for the Damallsvenskan side.
FIXTURES
New Zealand v Norway | Thursday 20 July | 08:00 (UK) | Eden Park, Auckland
Switzerland v Norway | Tuesday 25 July | 09:00 (UK) | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Norway v Philippines | Sunday 30 July | 08:00 (UK) | Eden Park, Auckland
