FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 opponents & dates revealed – we take a look at the African Nations
Now that the participants of the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 know the identity of their opponents, they also know the dates on which they will go into battle for a place into the next round and beyond.
The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana have been drawn in Group G, alongside there experienced nations – Sweden, Italy and Argentina.
South Africa Women’s National Team
The Swedes will be playing in their ninth tournament and will be hoping for a better showing after bagging three bronze medals – 1991, 2011 and as recently as 2019.
They are also not a closed book to South Africa as they have met on several occasions.
It will be the first time Banyana Banyana come up against Italy and Argentina – who have been to the World Cup four and three times respectively.
Italy Women’s National Team
Le Azzurre reached the quarterfinals in 1991 and 2019, while Argentina have never progressed out of their group on three occasions.
The reigning African Champions’ opening match will be against Sweden on 23 July 2023, followed by a clash with the South Americans five days later on 28 July 2023. They round off their group stages campaign on 2 August 2023.
Argentina Women’s National Team
The month-long FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will run from 20 July to 20 August and will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand – with the latter kicking off the world cup with a clash against 1995 champions Norway at Eden Park, while the Matildas will face debutants the Republic of Ireland.
BANYANA BANYANA FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP FIXTURES:
23 July 2023
Sweden v South Africa
28 July 2023
Argentina v South Africa
02 August 2023
Zambia are in Group C along with Spain, Costa Rica and former champions Japan.
The reigning COSAFA queens, who are making their debut in the tournament, will battle it out with Asians first in the competition on 22 July 2023, before taking on the Europeans and the South Americans on 26 July and 31 July respectively.
Shepolopolo have gathered massive experience as they featured in the 2020 Olympic Games, and finished third in the WAFCON in July in Morocco, and that could come in handy at the World Cup tournament.
ZAMBIA FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2023 FIXTURES
22 July 2023
Zambia v Japan
26 July 2023
Spain v Zambia
31 July 2023
Costa Rica v Zambia
The Nigerian Super Falcons are in a tricky situation after they were drawn in Group B with co-hosts Australia, debutants Republic of Ireland and Canada, who won the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The Super Falcons have qualified for nine consecutive World Cups and face Canada in their opening match on 21 July. Their next assignment will be against the co-hosts Australia on 27 July and complete their group stages matches on 31 July with a fixture against the Rebublic of Ireland, who are led by former Banyana Banyana coach Vera Pauw.
NIGERIA FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2023 FIXTURES:
21 July 2023
Nigeria v Canada
27 July 2023
Australia v Nigeria
31 July 2023
Republic of Ireland v Nigeria
Morocco are in a tough group which has two-time world champions Germany (2003 and 2007), Colombia and South Korea.
The Atlas Lionesses start their Group H campaign against the Europeans on 24 July.
The 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations hosts will then face off against South Korea on 30 July before tackling the South Americans on 3 August.
MOROCCO FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2023 FIXTURES
24 July 2023
Germany v Morocco
30 July 2023
South Korea Morocco
3 August 2023
Morocco v Colombia
By Matlhomola Morake