Ladies First: World Cup 2023 Group B Preview

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All eyes will be on Australia as they head into this tournament as co-hosts. The Matildas will be eager to write their wings of the 2019 edition of the competition, when they were knocked out on penalties by Norway in the round of sixteen. Since 2019, however, Australia have welcomed former USWNT assistant coach Tony Gustavsson as their manager and so far this calendar year, have only suffered one loss which came against Scotland. Most notably, the Matildas defeated European Champions - and one of the favourites for this year’s World Cup - England 2-0 in April 2023. It was the first time the Lionesses had suffered a defeat in 30 games which reinforced Australia’s determination to prove themselves on the world stage.

Canada are favoured to make it out of Group B, following their Olympic success at the delayed Tokyo games. Prior to their Olympic success, they crashed out of the FIFA 2019 Women’s World Cup to Sweden in the Round of 16. They also fell short at the 2022 CONCACAF, losing 1-0 to the United States in the final - however, Canadian midfielder Julia Grosso walked away with the Golden Boot and goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan picked up the Golden Glove. 

The FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup marks the Republic of Ireland’s debut tournament having not qualified for previous editions. They secured their qualification with a 9-0 win over Georgia, as well as 1-0 wins over Finland, Slovakia and Scotland. A string of good results in the last year was ended by consecutive defeats to the US in April 2022. As tournament debutants, the Republic of Ireland have their work cut out if they are to make it out of Group B.

Nigeria will be looking to go one step further than they did at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019 when they lost in the round of 16 to Germany. In preparation for this summer’s tournament, the Super Falcons defeated hosts New Zealand 3-0 in a recent friendly which puts them in good stead heading into Group B.

20 July 2023: Australia v Republic of Ireland, 20:00 KO at Stadium Australia

21 July 2023: Nigeria v Canada, 12:30 KO at AAMI Park

26 July 2023: Canada v Republic of Ireland, 22:00 KO at Perth Rectangular Stadium

27 July 2023: Australia v Nigeria, 20:00 KO at Lang Park

31 July 2023: Republic of Ireland v Nigeria, 20:00 KO at Lang Park

31 July 2023: Canada v Australia, 20:00 KO at AAMI Park