2023 Women's World Cup Group B Preview: Canada Takes on the Hometown Hero

Sam Kerr and the Matildas are looking to reach the semifinals for the first time.

Canada and cohost Australia are two of the most intriguing teams in the Women's World Cup. They met in a pair of friendlies in Australia last September, both won by Canada. But seven months later the Aussies took down European champion England. Australia’s all-time leading goal scorer, Sam Kerr, is a bona fide star, as evidenced by her appearance on the cover of FIFA 23. She’ll lead the Matildas as they look to reach the semifinals for the first time.

Kerr will captain the Matildas this summer in her fourth World Cup.  / IMAGO

The World Cup may be a last shot at glory for Canada’s Christine Sinclair. The 40-year-old has scored more international goals—190—than any player in history, men’s or women’s. She scored three in the World Cup 20 years ago when her team finished fourth but hasn’t matched that result since. Canada comes into the tournament with serious hardware, having won gold at the Tokyo Olympics. A disappointing last-place finish at the SheBelieves Cup in February won’t be enough to dampen Canada’s hopes.

• Women’s World Cup Schedule: Group list, streaming information.

Nigeria is the only African nation to have reached the quarter-finals, but a difficult group will make it hard to repeat that 1999 run—especially after a drop in form that saw its streak of three WAFCON titles end last summer. Ireland, meanwhile, qualified for its first World Cup amid plenty of controversy: The team was fined for singing a pro-IRA chant after defeating Scotland in its qualifying playoff, and last December coach Vera Pauw was implicated in an NWSL misconduct investigation, allegations she has denied.

Projected Group Finish

1. Canada
2. Australia
3. Nigeria
4. Ireland

Breakout Star

Asisat Oshoala, Nigeria

The five-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year has never scored more than once in a single World Cup. Look for that to change. After sharing the 2021–22 scoring title in Spain’s Liga F, the striker sustained a ligament strain in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations last summer. Since returning, the 28-year-old led Barcelona in goals this season (21), and she scored in her first match back with the Super Falcons this spring.

Oshoala was Barcelona's leading scorer as the team went on to win the Champions League title this year.  :: Gerard Franco/IMAGO

Wild Card

Due to high ticket demand, Australia’s opener against Ireland was moved from Sydney Football Stadium (42,000 capacity) across town to Stadium Australia (82,500)—a telling sign of the tournament’s popularity.

Game of the Group

Canada vs. Australia, July 31

This matchup could decide the group’s runner-up, which would likely play European champ England in the round of 16.