The countdown to the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand has begun, with just a few weeks to go before the tournament kicks off. This year’s event will make history as there are eight groups for the first time ever, and the Super Falcons are among the teams that will be hoping to make an impact.
The Super Falcons have participated in the World Cup eight times, but they have only progressed twice from the group stage and finished last on five occasions. This year, they have been drawn in a tough group alongside co-hosts Australia, Olympics champions Canada, and the Republic of Ireland.
Making it out of the group will be challenging for all teams, and the Falcons will need to be at their best to give themselves a chance of progressing to the knockout stage. Let’s take a closer look at their opponents and their chances of success.
Canada is ranked 7th globally and is a household name in women’s football. They have qualified for every edition of the World Cup since their debut in 1995 and finished fourth in 2003. This year, they will be aiming to do even better after a disappointing exit in the round-of-16 four years ago. The Falcons will need to keep a close eye on Cristine Sinclair, the all-time leading goalscorer in international football with 190 goals.
Australia, the co-host of the 2023 edition, is also a force to be reckoned with in women’s football. They are making their eighth appearance and have reached the quarterfinals as their best result. Currently ranked 10th in the world, they have Samantha Kerr, one of the best players in the world, to help them cause problems for the Falcons.
Finally, the Republic of Ireland is the only debutant in this group, and they will be eager to make an impression. Ranked 22nd in the world, they secured their passage to the tournament through the European qualification path. They have some good players in their squad, including Arsenal’s Kate McCabe, who could cause trouble for the Super Falcons.
The Falcons will face a stern test in the World Cup, starting with their first game against Canada on July 21st. However, they are used to rising to the occasion and are ready to do their country proud. With a mix of determination and skill, they could surprise their opponents and make it to the knockout stage.
