The Matildas have been dealt a nightmare draw for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup after the groups were officially decided on Saturday.
Australia will be joined in Group B by Canada, Ireland and Nigeria, while reigning World Cup champions USA drew the Netherlands in its group.
“Obviously, the teams are tough,” Matildas vice-captain Steph Catley told Optus Sport of the draw.
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“Ireland’s tricky. Canada’s really tough. Nigeria has some incredible players too, and African teams are really tough to play at major tournaments. It’s a tough group, but if you want to win, you’ve got to beat everyone.”
Four-time champion the United States was drawn in Group E with Vietnam, the Netherlands and a playoff winner still to be determined in a tournament expanded for the first time to 32 teams drawn into eight groups of four.
The US will play all of its group matches in New Zealand in the tournament to be played at 10 stadiums in Australia and New Zealand in July and August 2023. The match against the Netherlands will be at Wellington on July 27. The US beat the Dutch 2-0 in the 2019 final in France.
Second-ranked Sweden is drawn in Group G with South Africa, Italy and Argentina. Third-ranked Germany is in Group H with Morocco, Colombia and South Korea and European champion England in Group D with Denmark, China and a playoff winner.
The three playoff winners will be determined through inter-continental qualifying matches in Auckland in February.
CONFIRMED 2023 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP GROUPS
Group A: New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Switzerland.
Group B: Australia, Ireland, Nigeria, Canada.
Group C: Spain, Costa Rica, Zambia, Japan.
Group D: England, Group B playoff winner, Denmark, China.
Group E: United States, Vietnam, the Netherlands, Group A playoff winner.
Group F: France, Jamaica, Brazil, Group C playoff winner.
Group G: Sweden, South Africa, Italy, Argentina.
Group H: Germany, Morocco, Colombia, South Korea.
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