Tricky Women’s World Cup draw for Africa

The African trio of South Africa, Nigeria, and Zambia learned their 2023 Fifa World Cup fate on Saturday when the draw for the finals was conducted in Auckland/Tamaki Makaura.

The pair of Cameroon and Senegal will have to go through a round robin inter-continental playoff where their top finishers progress to the World Cup.

The tournament will take place from 20 July to 20 August with the opening game being a clash between co-hosts New Zealand and 1995 world champions Norway at Eden Park, while co-hosts Australia, will kick off against debutants Republic of Ireland.

BANYANA DREAM

African champions Banyana Banyana have been drawn in Group G with Italy, Argentina, and Sweden. Banyana will look to improve on their dismal showing in their debut World Cup in 2019 where they finished bottom of Group B with zero points and a single goal against heavyweights Germany, Spain, and China.

Desiree Ellis’ charges will open their tournament next year against Sweden, who have participated in eight World Cups, finishing with bronze medals in three tournaments in 1991, 2011, and 2019.

Italy have been to four World Cups, with their best showing coming in the 1991 and 2019 tournaments where they reached quarterfinals on both occasions. Banyana will face the Le Azzurre in the last Group G match on August 2.

Argentina will make their fourth appearance at the World Cup, in which they have crashed out in the group stages on all three previous occasions. La Albiceleste will look to recall their 2005-2007 form in which they went on a 14-match unbeaten run, which included the 2006 South American Cup, where they beat Brazil in the final 2–0 to become champions.

FIXTURES

23 July 2023
Sweden v South Africa

28 July 2023
Argentina v South Africa

02 August 2023
South Africa v Italy

Your #FIFAWWC 2023 Group G!#BeyondGreatness pic.twitter.com/3NeBPU1pDI
— #FIFAWWC Draw (@FIFAWWC) October 22, 2022

TRICKY DRAW FOR SHEPOLOPO

Cosafa champions Zambia are in Group C alongside Spain, Costa Rica, and former champions Japan. Zambian women’ football has been growing and improving steadily, starting with them securing 2020 Olympics Games ticket and securing a bronze medal in the 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations

At Tokyo 2020, Babra Banda was the tournament's surprise star, becoming the first-ever player to score back-to-back hat-tricks at a single Olympic Games. The first treble was in Zambia’s 10-3 loss to the Netherlands followed by another in the 4-4 draw against China PR.

Shepolopolo will make their World Cup debut with their opening match against Nadeshiko Japan who defeated the United States in the 2011 Fifa Women's World Cup and followed that up with a silver medal finish at the 2012 Summer Olympics and the 2015 Fifa Women's World Cup.

Spain have three World Cup appearances with their best finish being the round of 16 in in 2019 where they were in the same group with Banyana Banyana who managed to breached La Roja defence for their first ever World Cup goal.

Costa Rica shocked many on their World Cup debut in 2015 drawing against giants Spain and South Korea, but failed to progress to the knockouts after losing to Brazil via a late goal.

FIXTURES

22 July 2023
Zambia v Japan

26 July 2023
Spain v Zambia

31 July 2023
Costa Rica v Zambia

Your #FIFAWWC 2023 Group C!#BeyondGreatness pic.twitter.com/d6A78w9u79
— #FIFAWWC Draw (@FIFAWWC) October 22, 2022

SUPERFALCONS FACE HOSTS

Nigeria, who have qualified to nine consecutive World Cups, find themselves in Group B alongside tournament co-hosts Australia, debutants Republic of Ireland, and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics gold medallists Canada.

The Super Falcons will kick off their tournament against Canada, who have a rich history of success in women’s football having won their continental title, the CONCACAF Women's Championship twice, and two bronze medal finishes at the Olympics.

The Falcon’s second match will be against co-hosts, the Matildas, who have been to seven previous World Cups where they reached quarterfinals on three occasions in 2007, 2011, and 2015. Australia have also been to four Olympic football tournaments, finishing fourth to miss out on bronze in the 2020 Games

The Super Falcons’ final Group B match will be against newbies Republic of Ireland, who are coached by former Banyana Banyana coach Vera Pauw, who has been credited for laying the foundation and structure for Africa champions’ success.

FIXTURES

21 July 2023
Nigeria v Canada

27 July 2023
Australia v Nigeria

31 July 2023
Republic of Ireland v Nigeria

Your #FIFAWWC 2023 Group B!#BeyondGreatness pic.twitter.com/dQJPLcjNFl
— #FIFAWWC Draw (@FIFAWWC) October 22, 2022

AFRICAN RUNNERS UP

The 2022 African Women’s Cup of nations hosts and runners up Morocco are in Group H with heavyweights Germany, Colombia, and Korea Republic. Lionesses of Atlas’ first match at their first ever World Cup appearance will be against the two-time world champions Germany, having won the World Cup in 2003 and 2007.

The Lionesses’ second group game will be against South Korea, who have been to three previous Fifa World Cups in 2003, 2015, and 2019, with the Canada 2015 tournament being their best showing as they reached the round of 16.

The Moroccan’s last group match will be against Colombia, who will be making their third tournament appearance having been to Germany in 2011 and Canada in 2015. Las Cafeteras have however participated in all Copa América Femenina editions since 1998, finishing as runners-up in 2010, 2014, and 2022.

FIXTURES

24 July 2023
Germany v Morocco

30 July 2023
South Korea Morocco

3 August 2023
Morocco v Colombia

Your #FIFAWWC 2023 Group H!#BeyondGreatness pic.twitter.com/1vXzzzWfc0
— #FIFAWWC Draw (@FIFAWWC) October 22, 2022

SENEGAL AND CAMEROON IN PLAYOFFS

The final three spots at the World Cup will be decided in the inter-confederation playoffs in February next year. The African pair of Cameroon and Senegal will fancy their chances from Group A and B respectively.

Senegal will tackle Chile and Haiti in playoffs, should they finish top they will progress to the tournament finals in Australia & New Zealand where they will be in Group E with USA, Vietnam and Netherlands.

Cameroon will face Portugal and Thailand in the playoffs looking to secure a ticket to the World Cup where they will be in Group D alongside England, Denmark and China PR.

The third group sees Chinese Taipei, Paraguay, Papua New Guinea and Panama battle it out for a place in the World Cup Group F alongside France, Jamaica, and Brazil.

The winners of each of the three groups will join the other 29 teams in the Fifa World Cup set to kick off on July 20, and the final will be on August 20 in Sydney’s Olympic stadium.

Your #FIFAWWC 2023 Group E!#BeyondGreatness pic.twitter.com/yus4yewbdK
— #FIFAWWC Draw (@FIFAWWC) October 22, 2022

WHAT THEY SAID:

Tony Gustavsson (Australia)

“Someone texted me and said we drew the top-ranked opponent in Pot 2, the third-ranked opponent in Pot 3 and the top-ranked opponent in Pot 4 so, yeah, it’s a tough draw. But if you look at the bracket and tournament, there is no easy game. It is all about knowing who you are facing and preparing in the best way possible.”

Pia Sundhage (Brazil)

“Honestly, it’s a little bit tricky for us. We don’t know the team we’ll play in the opening match, for example. But the draw is always exciting and, whatever it is, I have the tendency to look at it in a positive way. If you want to win, you have to find a way to win. We have a bit of a way to go as a team but everyone is excited and the players will be ready.”

Bev Priestman (Canada)

“Our recent experience [of beating] both Australia and Nigeria is a positive. But I don’t think there are any easy games. Even Ireland - Vera Pauw is a very experienced coach, they recently drew with Sweden and they’ll be out to prove in their opening game they belong at this World Cup. I’m excited more than anything, especially to get a home nation. I think that’s going to bring an incredible atmosphere.”

Sarina Wiegman (England)

"I think we should absolutely get out of this group with the level we're at right now. We know Denmark very well. Tactically they are a very good team, they always have a clear style of play, so it’s exciting to play them. China are a very good opponent too and a transitional one. They've played very good games over the last year, but they've played some less good games too. The matches are going to be really tight and it should be a great tournament.”

Milena Bertolini (Italy)

"It will be a difficult group and the big favourite is undoubtedly Sweden. They are the Olympic silver medalists and, as always, they have a physically strong and very talented team. We know little about the other two opponents, but Argentina, as per tradition, will rely on technique and temperament. To reach at least the second place it will be fundamental to fight until the last game.”

Corinne Diacre (France)

“This group is far from simple. We'll play Jamaica first, but it's true that first place in the group could be decided between Brazil and us, although we shouldn't underestimate the other teams. The advantage for us is that we'll play three times in Australia, where we'll be based.”

Martina Voss-Tecklenburg (Germany)

"We are looking forward to playing three very different teams, who will provide us with different challenges. It’s a big challenge to analyse these teams in advance but we want to solve those challenges."

Colin Bell (Korea Republic)

“I had a feel we would get Germany. I’ve lived in Germany most of my life and it will be a bit of a dream for me and my family too. But we have two other tricky opponents in Morocco and Colombia and we’ll need to be very well prepared.”

Andries Jonker (Netherlands)

“If you want to win the tournament, you have to beat anyone who comes your way. USA, ok, it’s a challenge, but I think they’re not too happy to play against us either. Vietnam, I think we should [win] that one. I don’t have to motivate any of my players - the challenge is huge. And we’re really looking forward to the start of the tournament.”

Jitka Klimkova (New Zealand)

“It’s an exciting draw. We know how strong Norway will be in that opening match but we hope for a competitive game and that our fans will come out and be our 12th player. As a younger coach, I played a lot of games against our two European opponents, and I’m also happy now that I spent 30 days in England watching the EURO and studying these teams. I can’t say for sure we will win, but we have a chance.”

Hege Riise (Norway)

“It’s a fairly even group, I would say. I feel we have a very good opportunity [to qualify]. I think New Zealand will be the biggest challenge in the group because they play at home. That's something that can go both ways, but usually it adds an extra [positive] dimension.”

Alen Stajcic (Philippines)

“As the Pot 4 team we were always going to be the underdog but I’m happy with that draw. I have experience of playing in Wellington and it will be great to play New Zealand, as the co-hosts, there. We might be facing some of the coldest conditions, going to Dunedin too, and I was saying there: with Norway and Switzerland in our group, it’s like the Cool Runnings of this World Cup!”

Vera Pauw (Republic of Ireland)

“That opening game [versus Australia], wow – it’s fantastic. There’s a huge Irish community in Australia and I think a lot of people over there will face a bit of a dilemma over who they support in that one! It’s a bit of a shame that we drew the toughest team in Pot 4 in Nigeria, but we won’t fear anyone. It’s a tough group but a very exciting one.”

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WNT ???? Manager Vera Pauw reacts to #FIFAWWC Draw and getting co-hosts Australia ???? in the first game#COYGIG | @FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/Psuoiw5cyh
— FAIreland ?????? (@FAIreland) October 22, 2022

Desiree Ellis (South Africa)

“I think it’s a reasonable draw. We’ve played Sweden before but we haven’t met Italy and Argentina. My feeling is that it could have been tougher. Now the planning and preparation starts, and making sure the players have as much information as they can.”

?? We hear from Coach Desiree Ellis after the @FIFAWWC draw results! #BeyondGreatness #LiveTheImpossible pic.twitter.com/mlHVPc8NEb
— Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) October 22, 2022

Peter Gerhardsson (Sweden)

"Italy and South Africa we have met a few times and know well, but Argentina will be a new opponennt for us. We will now start our scouting work and move forward in our planning, with the main focus on that opening match against South Africa."

Vlatko Andonovski (USA)

“I’m excited about that draw. The Netherlands being in our group, having played them in the final of the last World Cup, is definitely exciting. But it’s a tough group and we know it’s going to be challenging. Even though it seems the toughest group, we're excited because we feel these are the type of matches that will help us stay sharp in the group stage and when we hopefully advance in the tournament.”

Bruce Mwape (Zambia)

“There are no easy teams in women’s football at the moment. For us, it’s just important to be here – especially as this is our first time. The whole country is behind us, supporting the team, and our achievements recently show that there has been a lot of improvement in Zambian football.”