Women’s World Cup draw: Netherlands vs. USA, England vs. Denmark, Sweden vs. Italy, France vs. Brazil
The Netherlands will replay their 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup final with the United States in the 2023 group stage after the draw for the 2023 finals in Australia and New Zealand was made in Auckland.
The first finals tournament since the expansion from 24 to 32 teams will definitely feature 11 European nations, with Portugal hoping to join them after February’s Playoffs between associations in New Zealand. The action gets underway on July 20, with 1995 winners Norway taking on New Zealand and, in their first major final tournament, Ireland taking on Ireland.
Defeated 2-0 in the 2019 final in Lyon, the Netherlands will look to avenge that loss against the USA when they take on the holders (who are aiming for a third straight title) on July 27 in Wellington. European champions England are in a group with Denmark, while two-time World Cup winners Germany have Morocco, Colombia and South Korea.
Switzerland are in Group A with Norway and New Zealand, as well as the Philippines, while Spain’s opponents include 2011 world champions Japan. Sweden and Italy are both in Group G while France’s fixtures include a meeting with Brazil, who they knocked out in extra time in the last 16 in 2019 before losing to the United States.
Group play ends on August 3 and the top two in each group advance to the round of 16, which begins two days later. The final is on August 20 at Stadium Australia, Sydney.
Women’s WC groups
Group A: New Zealand (hosts), NorwayPhilippines, Switzerland
Group B: Australia (hosts), Republic of IrelandNigeria, Canada
Group C: SpainCosta Rica, Zambia, Japan
Group D: EnglandWinner Group B Playoffs*, DenmarkChina PR
Group E: USA (holder), Vietnam, NetherlandsWinner Group A Playoffs*
Group F: FranceJamaica, Brazil, Group C Playoff Winners*
Group G: SwedenSouth Africa, ItalyArgentina
Group H: GermanyMorocco, Colombia, South Korea
*Inter-Confederation Playoffs: 18 to 23 February, New Zealand
Group A: Portugal vs Cameroon/Thailand
Group B: Chile vs Senegal/Haiti
Group C: Chinese Taipei/Paraguay vs Papua New Guinea/Panama
UEFA Nations i bold
- The US is aiming for a third straight title and fifth overall.
- Norway (1995), Germany (2003, 2007) and Japan (2011 are other partial winners).
- The Netherlands was runner-up in 2019 while China PR (1999), Sweden (2003) and Brazil (1997) are other previous finalists.
- England won their first European title in 2022.
- Canada were the 2021 Olympic champions
- Ireland are joined by fellow World Cup debutants Morocco, the Philippines, Vietnam and Zambia (with more potential to follow after the play-offs).
Stadiums
Australia
Adelaide (Hindmarsh Stadium)
Brisbane (Brisbane Stadium)
Melbourne (Melbourne Rectangular Stadium)
Perth (Perth Rectangular Stadium)
Sydney (Sydney Football Stadium/Stadium Australia)
New Zealand
Auckland (Eden Park)
Dunedin (Dunedin Stadium)
Hamilton (Waikato Stadium)
Wellington (Wellington Regional Stadium)
A ten-team tournament will be held from 18 to 23 February 2023 in New Zealand to determine the final three finalists.
Group A
Saturday 18 February
Semi-Finals:
Cameroon vs Thailand (Hamilton)
Wednesday 22 February
Final:
Portugal vs Cameroon/Thailand (Hamilton)
Group B
Semi-Finals: Saturday 18 February
Senegal vs Haiti (Auckland)
Final: Wednesday 22 February
Chile vs Senegal/Haiti (Auckland)
Group C
Semi-final: Sunday 19 February
Chinese Taipei vs Paraguay (Hamilton)
Papua New Guinea vs Panama (Auckland)
Final: Thursday 23 February
Chinese Taipei/Paraguay vs Papua New Guinea/Panama (Hamilton)
Previous WC playoffs (European teams in bold)
2019: USA 2-0 Netherlands; Lyon, France
2015: USA 5-2 Japan; Vancouver, Canada
2011: Japan 2-2 USA (aet, 3-1 pens); Frankfurt, Germany
2007: Germany 2-0 Brazil; Shanghai, China
2003: Germany 1-0 Sweden (aet, golden target); Carson, USA
1999: USA 0-0 China (aet, 5-4 pens); Pasadena, USA
1995: Norway 2-0 Germany; Stockholm, Sweden
1991: USA 2-1 Norway; Guangzhou, China
Former Olympic medalists (European teams in bold)
2021: Canada (gold), Sweden (silver), USA (bronze); Yokohama, Japan (postponed from 2020, eventually moved from Tokyo)
2016: Germany (gold), Sweden (silver), Canada (bronze); Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2012: USA (gold), Japan (silver), Canada (bronze); London, United Kingdom
2008: USA (gold), Brazil (silver), Germany (bronze); Beijing, China
2004: USA (gold), Brazil (silver), Germany (bronze); Athens, Greece
2000: Norway (gold), USA (silver), Germany (bronze); Sydney, Australia
1996: USA (gold), China (silver), Norway (bronze); Atlanta, USA