With Australia and New Zealand co-hosting, the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup kicks off on July 20th. The action-packed schedule includes 64 matches culminating in a grand finale on August 20th. Catch every thrilling moment of Canada’s journey on TSN, but does the team have what it takes to emerge victorious?
The popularity of women’s soccer has skyrocketed in recent years. The 2022 Euros played in England boasted average crowds of over 18,500 per match, with the dramatic final at Wembley drawing 87,192 spectators as the host nation triumphed in extra time.
Currently, sportsbooks list Canada at +3500 for winning the tournament. To find top betting sites for backing Canada at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, visit the best betting sites in Canada
. Curious if Canada can claim the World Cup? Stay tuned as we delve into team insights, key rivals, and tackle that burning question.
Ranked seventh worldwide, Canada holds the title of Olympic champions. Although 2023 has brought uneven performances, their eyes are on the World Cup prize. Past results won't matter if they return victorious.
Jessie Fleming was outstanding in the Olympics, a remarkable feat considering her 115 senior appearances at just 25. Scoring 19 times, including pivotal goals in the Olympic semifinals and finals, her clutch performances earned her Canadian Player of the Year honors two consecutive years.
Veteran Christine Sinclair embarks on her sixth World Cup, likely her last as she recently turned 40. With 190 goals in 323 matches, Sinclair is the team’s backbone, still delivering top-tier performances with great expectations upon her.
The future of Canadian football shines with Olivia Smith, potentially the next star. Despite only two senior matches at 18, her skill and maturity stand out. Alongside, Simi Awujo, 19, boasts six caps and was the 2022 Canada Soccer Young Player of the Year.
This year has seen Canada play five matches, with a win, draw, and three losses. They triumphed over Brazil, drew against England, but were defeated by the USA, Japan, and France.
Reading too deeply into these games could be misleading given lineup rotations. While winning every match is ideal, form will be better understood once the group stage commences.
The 2003 semi-finals mark Canada’s furthest World Cup journey, a year they lost the third-place playoff to the USA. Absent from the inaugural 1991 World Cup, they have participated in every subsequent one.
Initially underperforming, Canada struggled to surpass the group stages in the 1990s. Disappointingly, they also faltered in 2007 and 2011 after their 2003 semi-final run.
2011 in Germany marked a low, with Canada losing all group games and scoring just once. Facing similar challenges in 2023, they hope for improved outcomes this time.
In 2015, as World Cup hosts, Canada exited in the quarter-finals against England after a challenging start with two goals conceded early on.
The last World Cup saw Canada bowing out in the round of 16 to Sweden, who secured third place after defeating England.
At this tournament, 32 teams are split into eight groups of four. The top two from each group move to the round of 16, a phase which major teams like Canada typically navigate smoothly.
Canada is expected to win initial group matches against Nigeria and Ireland, but their final group match against joint host Australia presents a challenge.
Nigeria
Memories of Canada’s poor 2011 performance, featuring a 1-0 loss to Nigeria, linger as they prepare for a crucial opening encounter this time.
Ranked 40th, Nigeria's four wins in 26 World Cup matches suggest they might struggle against Canada's current squad guided by their American coach.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland arrives optimistic, ranked 22nd worldwide—an all-time high—and desperate to impress in their debut Women’s World Cup appearance.
Despite respectable showings against the USA, a recent 3-0 defeat by France in a pre-tournament friendly highlighted areas to improve.
Australia
Facing the hosts is always a challenge. Canada defeated Australia twice in 2022 friendlies, offering confidence though not decisive in predicting competition results.
Australia, under pressure as hosts, could gain confidence with early wins but they’d also ensure safe qualification to the round of 16 by doing so.
Women's soccer has forged a strong growth path, transforming in quality since decades past. As interest rises, new generations of talent promise further advancements. Here’s a look at four top contenders for the championship.
USA
As the reigning world champions with wins in 2015 and 2019, they aim for a third consecutive title with high global expectations.
With victories in half of all Women's World Cups and four out of eight tournaments, their formidable legacy in women's international football is undeniable.
England
The European champs are anticipated to comfortably reach the round of 16. Expected to top Group D, they pose a threat to Canada if paths cross in knockout stages.
This notion should spur Canada to lead their group. A recent 0-0 friendly reflected tactics with non-full-strength teams on the field.
Spain
Spain presents an intriguing challenge, eager for tournament success after resilient efforts in the 2022 Euros despite heartbreak against England in extra time.
Pushing England hard implies Spain could be formidable tournament contenders, with revenge potentially fueling their drive.
Germany
The German side, also keen to best England, is another title hopeful. Falling in Euro 2022’s finals, their defense was otherwise impeccable.
Led by Alexandra Popp’s six goals in Euro 2022, and bolstered by young standout Lena Oberdorff, Germany comes as a dangerous unit.
The crucial query remains: can Canada clinch the 2023 World Cup? Fresh from Olympic triumph, talent abounds, but they’ll face a stiffer competitive landscape.
Canada must perform flawlessly in group games for a favorable round of 16 matchup. Quarter-final prospects could involve strong teams like France or Brazil.
If Canada channels their 2020 Olympic form, a World Cup victory isn’t out of reach. At +3500 odds, they're a compelling choice for underdog backers.
Naturally, there will be downtime between matches. Why not explore numerous
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