The Super Falcons have been drawn to play Canada, Republic of Ireland and co-hosts Australia at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Australia and New Zealand will host the ninth edition of the tournament from July 20 to August 20 next year.
The draw ceremony was held in Auckland, New Zealand this morning, with the Super Falcons in one of the toughest groups.
All of Nigeria’s Group B opponents are ranked higher than the nine-time African champions, with Canada coming into the tournament as Olympic gold medallists.
Canada are ranked seventh in the world by FIFA, while Australia are 13th and Ireland, who have developed rapidly in recent years, are 24th.
The Super Falcons are ranked 45th in the world and first in Africa.
The Nigerians were hosted by Canada for two friendlies in April. Canada won the first one 2-0 but the Super Falcons almost won the second one, with the hosts needing an 88th minute equaliser to snatch a 2-2 draw.
The Super Falcons are as experienced as any team in the competition having attended all eight previous editions, but their best performance remains reaching the quarter-finals in the United States in 1999.
This will be the first time two countries are hosting the tournament, and it has been expanded from 24 to 32 teams, four teams each in eight groups.
Africa’s other confirmed teams in the 2023 tournament are also in tough groups, with Women’s Africa Cup of Nations champions South Africa in Group G with Sweden Italy, Argentina.
Zambia drew Spain, Costa Rica and Japan, and Morocco will battle Germany, Colombia and South Korea.
A play-off tournament will be held in New Zealand early next year to determine the rest of the teams for the tournament.
2023 Women’s World Cup groupings:
Group A:
New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Switzerland
Group B:
Australia, Republic of Ireland, Nigeria, Canada
Group C:
Spain, Costa Rica, Zambia, Japan
Group D:
England, Group B play-off winner, Denmark, China
Group E:
USA, Vietnam, Netherlands, Group A play-off winner
Group F:
France, Jamaica, Brazil, Group C play-off winner
Group G: Sweden, South Africa, Italy, Argentina
Group H:
Germany, Morocco, Colombia, South Korea
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