Women’s World Cup 2023 Group B: Fixtures, results, standings, squads, and full details

Group B in this year’s Women’s World Cup is arguably the “group of death” equipped with the hosts, Australia, and the defending Olympic Gold Medalists Canada.

It is possible that two of the teams in Group B could find themselves in the World Cup quarterfinals beginning on August 11. Two out of the four teams to finish in the top four during the last Olympics were drawn into the same group.

Chelsea superstar Sam Kerr leads Australia out onto the world stage for the eighth time, but the first time as competition hosts. The Matildas have defeated the English and the Spanish during 2023, and have to be considered one of dark horses with the crowds behind them everywhere they go.

Canada, who are in the midst of a legal battle over equitable opportunity with its federation, named an incredibly talented side for this summer’s tournament. The United States’ neighbors to the north are captained by veteran Christine Sinclair with 190 international goals. San Diego Wave goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan stands between the sticks while Jessie Fleming, the player who scored the winning goal during the 2020 Olympic Games controls the midfield. Off the field there may be a whole lot going on for the Canadians, but on the pitch, this team has to be aiming for a much better result than what happened in France in 2019.

It does not stop there. For the first time in its history, the Republic of Ireland will be headed to the World Cup. With Amber Barrett’s goal against Scotland in October, the Irish made their way into the field of 32. Vera Pauw’s side cannot be underestimated. With Katie McCabe, and Denise O’Sullivan leading the way for the Girls in Green, this side gave the USWNT a run for its money during the April FIFA window.

The team that has been in the news the most before the competition is Nigeria. Like Canada, and numerous nations, the African side are in disputes involving equity with its federation. First, the Nigerians were rumored to be boycotting their first match, but captain Onome Ebi denied that claim. Manager Randy Waldrum is now in a battle with the the federation over the treatment of the players. The Nigerian FA even went as far as calling Waldrum an “incompetent loud mouth.” This is not the first time this nation has gone through something like this. Even with this off the field noise, the players have said they are prepared for what is to come.

Women’s World Cup 2023 Group B squads:

Canada

Manager: Bev Priestman

FIFA World Ranking: 6

Goalkeepers: Kailen Sheridan, Sabrina D’Angelo, Lysianne Proulx

Defenders: Allysha Chapman, Shelina Zadorsky, Kadeisha Buchanan, Jayde Riviere, Ashley Lawrence, Vanessa Gilles, Gabrielle Carle

Midfielders: Quinn, Julia Grosso, Sophie Schmidt, Jessie Fleming, Simi Awujo

Forwards: Deanne Rose, Jordyn Huitema, Evelyne Viens, Nichelle Prince, Christine Sinclair, Adriana Leon, Cloé Lacasse, Olivia Smith

Australia

Manager: Tony Gustavsson

FIFA World Ranking: 10

Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold, Teagan Micah, Lydia Williams

Defenders: Steph Catley, Courtney Nevin, Aivi Luik, Alanna Kennedy, Clare Polkinghorne, Clare Hunt, Ellie Carpenter, Charlotte Grant

Midfielders: Emily van Egmond, Tameka Yallop, Katrina Gorry, Clare Wheeler, Alex Chidiac, Kyra Cooney-Cross

Forwards: Sam Kerr, Hayley Raso, Kyah Simon, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Cortnee Vine

Nigeria

Manager: Randy Waldrum

FIFA World Ranking: 42

Goalkeepers: Yewande Balogun, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Tochukwu Oluehi

Defenders: Michelle Alozie, Oluwatosin Demehin, Rofiat Imuran, Ashleigh Plumptre, Glory Ogbonna, Onome Ebi, Osinachi Ohale

Midfielders: Halimatu Ayinde, Deborah Abiodun, Jennifer Echegini, Rasheedat Ajibade, Toni Payne, Christy Ucheibe

Forwards: Uchenna Kanu, Esther Okoronkwo, Francisca Ordega, Gift Monday, Ifeoma Onumonu, Asisat Oshoala, Desire Oparanozie

Republic of Ireland

Manager: Vera Pauw

FIFA World Ranking: 22

Goalkeepers: Grace Moloney, Courtney Brosnan, Megan Walsh

Defenders: Louise Quinn, Isibeal Atkinson, Chloe Mustaki, Diane Caldwell, Áine O’Gorman, Niamh Fahey, Claire O’Riordan, Megan Campbell

Midfielders: Lily Agg, Denise O’Sullivan, Sinead Farrelly, Katie McCabe, Megan Connolly, Ruesha Littlejohn, Ciara Grant, Lucy Quinn

Forwards: Kyra Carusa, Amber Barrett, Abbie Larki, Marissa Sheva

Reserves: Sophie Whitehouse, Harriet Scott, Jamie Finn

https://twitter.com/IrelandFootball/status/1677317383482949637?s=20

Women’s World Cup 2023 Group B fixtures:

Matchday One:

Nigeria vs. Canada

Match info: July 20, 2023, 10:30 pm EST, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium

Australia vs. Republic of Ireland

Match info: July 20, 2023, 6:00 am EST, Stadium Australia

Matchday Two:

Canada vs. Republic of Ireland

Match info: July 26, 2023, 8:00 am EST, Perth Rectangular Stadium

Australia vs. Nigeria

Match info: July 27, 2023, 6:00 am EST, Brisbane Stadium

Matchday Three:

Canada vs. Australia

Match info: July 31, 2023, 6:00 am EST, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium

Republic of Ireland vs. Nigeria

Match info: July 31, 2023, 6:00 am EST, Brisbane Stadium

Women’s World Cup 2023 Group B standings prediction:

1. Australia – 7 points

2. Canada – 5 points

3. Republic of Ireland – 4 points

4. Nigeria – 0 points

The Group B winner with match up Group D’s runners-up while the runners-up in Group B will compete against the winner of Group D in the knockout stages. (Group D: China, Denmark, England, Haiti).