2023 FIFA WWC: Falcons drawn in tough group

Emmanuel Alfred

The Super Falcons of Nigeria have been drawn in Group B alongside co-hosts Australia, Canada and debutants Republic of Ireland, ahead of the FIFA women’s World Cup coming up in 2023.

The draw which took place at the Aotea Centre in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday will see the Falcons open their campaign against reigning women’s Olympic champions Canada on July 21, 2023, before facing co-hosts Australia on July 27 and then completing the group stage with a match against the debutants Republic of Ireland on July 31.

Meanwhile, Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) champions, Banyana Banyana of South Africa, are in Group G with Sweden, Argentina and Italy.

Zambia, who beat the Falcons 1-0 in the third-place match at this year’s women’s Cup of Nations in Morocco are in Group C alongside Costa Rica, Japan and Spain.

While hosts of this year’s WAFCON, Morocco, will battle Germany, South Korea and Colombia in Group H.

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is scheduled to be the 9th edition of the quadrennial tournament.

Next year’s edition will be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand, the first time that the FIFA Women’s World Cup will have two host nations,

It is scheduled to take place from 20 July to 20 August 2023 and will see the Women’s World Cup expanded from 24 to 32 teams.

The United States are the defending champions, having won the previous two tournaments in 2015and 2019. The Philippines, Vietnam, the Republic of Ireland, Morocco and Zambia will make their Women’s World Cup debut.

The top two teams from each group will progress to the round of 16.