The draw for the FIFA Women’s World 2023 has been conducted with all the 29 confirmed teams knowing the identity of their opponents for the upcoming women’s world football showpiece that will be held in Australia and New Zealand.
The tournament will take place from 20 July to 20 August 2023.
African champions South Africa have been placed in Group G and will face Sweden, Italy and Argentina.
2022 WAFCON hosts and runners up Morocco will battle it out with Germany, Colombia and the Korea Republic in Group H.
In Group C, WAFCON bronze medallists Zambia will face the might of Spain, Costa Rica and Japan.
The Nigerian Super Falcons find themselves pitted against the co-hosts Australia, debutants Republic of Ireland and Canada in Group B.
Here is the full draw:
Group A: New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Switzerland
Group B: Australia, Republic of Ireland, Nigeria, Canada
Group C: Spain, Costa Rica, Zambia, Japan
Group D: England, Group B play-off winner, Denmark, China PR
Group E: USA, Vietnam, Netherlands, Group A play-off winner
Group F: France, Jamaica, Brazil, Group C play-off winner
Group G: Sweden, South Africa, Italy, Argentina
Group H: Germany, Morocco, Colombia, Korea Republic
Here is what some of the coaches had to say after the draw:
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”a
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.”
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.”
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.”
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!”
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.”
