The 2023 Women’s World Cup is well underway, with New Zealand and Australia kicking off their campaigns with wins on home soil on an action-packed opening day.
Those wins mean the co-hosts top their groups, but could the figures change on Friday?
Switzerland face debutants the Philippines, hoping to overtake New Zealand at the top of Group A, while defending Olympic champions Canada take on Nigeria, with both teams aiming to replace the Matildas in Group B.
There’s also a chance we’ll see the first major upset of the tournament as Group C kicks off when Spain take on underdogs Costa Rica.
Nigeria vs Canada
Group B | Melbourne | 03:30 BST | BBC
After Australia kicked off proceedings in Group B with a win over the Republic of Ireland, Nigeria and Canada are contesting their ninth and eighth World Cup finals respectively.
Playing in her sixth tournament, Canada’s veteran captain Christine Sinclair said her team should not be underestimated this summer, saying Canada was “overlooked” before winning the gold medal at Tokyo 2020.
“We can beat any team in the world. It’s contagious [winning]It made us want to do it again and prove to the world what we can do again,” the 40-year-old said.
“This team is full of rock stars.”
Both Canada and the Super Falcons have had a disruptive year in the build-up to this summer’s World Cup. Canadian players threatened to strike over equity concerns and lack of funding, while the Nigerian team threatened to boycott their opening match.
Despite this, Nigeria forward Tony Payne says he can expect to see a “super United team” in Melbourne who have “every confidence” to beat the defending Olympic champions.
Rachel Brown-Finnis’s Prediction: It will be close, but Canada has got more experience in their team and I think that will give them the edge. 1-2.
Key Stats: Nigeria are unbeaten in their previous two meetings with Canada at the Women’s World Cup, winning the most recent match 1-0 in 2011.
Philippines vs Switzerland
Group A | Dunedin | 06:00 BST | ITV
The Philippines’ journey to this summer’s tournament has been nothing short of “fantastic,” says manager Allen Stajczyk, who is leading the nation to the World Cup for the first time – men’s or women’s.
The Australian coach says the world is “a hundred steps ahead” of the Philippines for women’s football and her team must “make their fortune” in New Zealand.
“It’s been a meteoric rise for the team,” Stajczyk said.
“The challenge for us is to somehow maintain and sustain that improvement, not be happy with where we’ve gone.”
The 46th-ranked side take on Switzerland, who despite having a rubbish squad with players who have plied their trade for some of Europe’s top teams, have only made one previous appearance in a World Cup finals, doing so in 2015.
Rachel Brown-Finnis’s Prediction: I can’t see beyond a Switzerland win here, but they aren’t particularly free-scoring and the Philippines might find it difficult. 0-1.
Key Stats: The Philippines is one of eight teams making their Women’s World Cup debut this year – and this will be the first meeting between the two nations.
Spain vs Costa Rica
Group C | Wellington | 08:30 BST | BBC
Like Canada and Nigeria, Spain is another team that has experienced a turbulent period for this World Cup following a dispute between 15 players and manager Jorge Wilda.
With three of the 15 players – Mariana Caldenti, Aitana Bonmati and Ona Battle – recalled from the national set-up and back-to-back Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas returning from injury, Spain can be considered genuine contenders for the trophy.
“We have players who are recognized as the best in the world,” Wilda said in his pre-match press conference.
“We know very well that there are high expectations of what we can do on the field.
“In the end, that’s a privilege and an added motivation for us.”
Costa Rica, 30 places below Spain, will be hoping for a repeat of their first match at the 2015 Women’s World Cup when they held Spain to a 1-1 draw.
Rachel Brown-Finnis’s Prediction: Costa Rica held off Spain in their opening match at the 2015 World Cup but I don’t see them getting anything from them this time around. Spain’s target is to top this group so they will want to put down an early marker. I can see them doing that by scoring some goals. 4-0
Key Stats: Only Canada (63.3%) had a better possession percentage than Spain (61.2%) at the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
