By Harry Awurumibe
In less than 24 hours now, the much-awaited 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will get under way when co-hosts New Zealand tackle European powerhouse, Norway in the opening match of the 32-team competition at Eden Park, Auckland with the final game taking place at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 20.
A closer look at all 32 teams taking part in the tournament, starting from Group A to H, showed that football fans across the globe will for the next one month enjoy the best of women’s football ever seen at the mundial.
A quick look at Group A where co-host New Zealand found herself means that a World Cup on home soil could provide a boost, but the Kiwis look unlikely to get much further than the group stages.
The co-host have had a poor run of form in preparation for the tournament, including losses to former African champions, Nigeria and Argentina, a draw with Iceland and a narrow 2-0 victory over Vietnam.
As a matter of fact, goals could be hard to come by, with 31-year-old Hannah Wilkinson their only real threat. Their defence is strong, but that alone won’t be enough.
However, New Zealand are rightly third favourites to progress from the group stage.
Also, the 1995 FIFA Women’s World Cup winners, Norway may create a buzz in this competition but an 8-0 defeat by England in Brighton stood out in a lacklustre European Championships for Norway, but they’ll be looking to put on a better show down under.
Head Coach and former Norway legend, Hege Riise has talent at her disposal, including former Ballon D’Or winner Ada Hegerberg, Arsenal forward Frida Maanum, and Chelsea winger Guro Reiten who will likey help their country this time around.
On paper it’s a squad with real strength, but there still looks to be some lingering issues in defence, with the full-backs a particular weakness.
Norway will likely get out of the group, but aren’t quite at the top level and could come unstuck early in the knockouts.
For Philippines, the debutants have a high mountain to climb in Australia and New Zealand.
Getting to a first World Cup is an achievement in itself for the Philippines and it’s not going to be an easy ride once they take to the stage.
Expect them to finish bottom of Group A, with the quality of their opponents in the group just too much to be able to contest with.
Former Australia boss Alen Stajcic is in charge and has overseen a marked improvement but they’re far from at the required level. Losses to Wales, Iceland and Scotland at the Pinatar Cup, where they scored just one goal, act as proof.
If there is a country that will spring surprises, it will be Switzerland as Switzerland’s Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic will be going toe-to-toe with Norway for top spot in Group A and should make the grade for the knockouts.
Recent friendly performances have been hit and miss, with a 2-1 defeat by Iceland and 3-3 draw with Zambia uninspiring, but head coach Inka Grings has the benefit of a strong squad at her disposal.
Arsenal midfielder Lia Walti is an effective captain and highly skilled at reading the game, while Barcelona’s Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic will bring the goal threat.
They failed to get out of their group at the Euros but should have no issue doing so in New Zealand.
In Group B, Co-host Australia will come into the World Cup in fantastic form and could be the tournament’s dark horses.
With a home crowd on their side, a winning formula and talented squad, this could be the perfect time for them to make an impression.
Star striker Sam Kerr will steal the attention of many, but Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord, Manchester City youngster Mary Fowler and Sydney FC’s Cortnee Vine could all trouble defences.
Australia beat England in April and ended the Lionesses’ 30-game unbeaten run. That should be evidence enough that they must be taken seriously.
Another strong team in this tough group is Canada, the reigning Olympic champions who will want to once again prove that they’re one of the world’s best.
They’ve become a formidable outfit under Englishwoman Beverley Priestman and will have their sights set on getting as close as possible to the trophy.
In truth, they’re probably not as strong as some of the rest in the tournament, but getting at least as far as the quarter-finals would not be surprising.
This will be the last tournament and sixth World Cup for 40-year-old Christine Sinclair, international football’s top scorer, and she could still help in front of goal.
Also in the group is Nigeria. The top African country are in the middle of off-pitch chaos in the lead-up to the World Cup, with head coach Randy Waldron highly critical of the way his employers Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have treated the Super Falcons in a recent podcast interview.
Waldrum’s outbursts have no doubt damaged his relationship with the FA badly but on the pitch the prospects of Nigeria don’t look much more encouraging and last year they failed to retain the Africa Cup of Nations after three previous successive victories.
The likes of Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala; Atletico Madrid midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade and Paris FC goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie bring talent to the lineup, but matching their round of 16 qualification in 2019 will be a tall order from Group B.
Even at that, the trio of Australia, Republic of Ireland will pose a big obstacle to Canada, Australia and Nigeria as the Irish are brimming with confidence after qualification for their first ever Women’s World Cup.
They’ve been dealt a tricky hand in the draw, however, and getting into second place may be too much for Vera Pauw’s side.
Arsenal’s Katie McCabe captains the side and is their main star, controlling the game from left-back, and they’ve recently had relatively encouraging friendly performances.
With Liverpool striker Leanne Kiernan missing out through injury they lack a standout goal threat and that could be their undoing. If luck goes their way then Ireland may find a way through the group, but it looks unlikely.
Elsewhere, Group C looks more like a two-horse race for Spain and Japan to qualify but Costa Rica can pose a problem while Zambia will be hoping to rely on their experience in the last Olympic Games to try their luck.
Group D is a little tricky as star-studded
England; Asian powerhouse, China and Denmark hoping to use debutants Haiti as a punching bag to record victories.
However, Group E will be the most interesting group with multiple FIFA Women’s World Cup champions, United States of America (USA) pitched against rising European force, The Netherlands, Portugal and lowly- rated debutants Vietnam challenging for the two qualification tickets.
In Group F, host of the last edition, France has the Samba Girls, Brazil and two minors Jamaica and Panama to contend with in a group that looks so easy to navigate.
A strong force in women’s football and host of 1995 edition, Sweden is expected to go through in Group G which has one of the African four representatives,
South Africa; Italy and Argentina in the mix.
Group H, belongs to Germany while Korea Republic and Columbia may prevent another African country, Morocco from progressing further in the competition.
In all, the group stage will begin on July 20 and run over two weeks finishing on August 3 and see group winners and runners-up progress to the Round of 16, which will hold from August 5 to August 8.
The quarter-finals, which will be held in Wellington, Auckland, Brisbane and Sydney, are scheduled for August 11 and 12 while the first semi-final comes up on August 15 in Auckland, with the other semi-final taking place on August 16 at the Accor Stadium in Sydney.
Third-place match will hold on August 20 in Brisbane while the final match on August 20, 2023 will take place at the Accor Stadium in Sydney.
Let the fireworks begin.
Harry Awurumibe, is Africa’s Women Football Expert
