For the first time in history, the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup features 32 teams, meaning eight countries will make their debut at this year’s edition in Australia and New Zealand.
According to a post on FIFA.com, the aim of the expansion was to give more countries the chance to experience the global showpiece.
Now, Haiti, Republic of Ireland, Morocco, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, Vietnam and Zambia will rub shoulders with the greats in the world of football when the tournament kicks off from 20 July.
Let us take a closer look at these debutant countries:
Haiti
Having appeared at the 1974 men’s showpiece, Haiti have had to wait another 49 years to return to a FIFA World Cup at senior level.
The team boasts a talented and well-knit group, who have never graced the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament and have only reached the Concacaf W Championship six times.
Waiting for them in their Women’s World Cup opener are reigning European champions England in Brisbane on 22 July.
Morocco
In 2022, the Atlas Lionesses hosted the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time and came within an inch of winning the trophy, losing 2-1 to South Africa in the final in Rabat.
The Moroccans, who are coached by former Olympique Lyonnais boss Reynald Pedros, received quite a consolation prize, however. The continental finals doubled up as Africa’s qualifying competition for Australia & New Zealand 2023, with all four semi-finalists earning a place at the big event.
Panama
The Women’s World Cup had always been a step too far for Las Canaleras before this year, though they came agonisingly close in the qualifiers for France 2019, reaching the last four at the 2018 Concacaf W Championship and going on to contest the match for third place, which was effectively a World Cup play-off.
The ticket to France eventually went to Jamaica, who won 4-2 on penalties after the two sides had played out a 2-2 draw. The Panamanians have set the record straight this time and can now look forward to meetings with France, Brazil and an old acquaintance in their second group match, in Perth: Jamaica.
Philippines
The Philippines’ qualification for Australia & New Zealand 2023 is a turning point for the game in the country, the first time that any of its sides have reached a FIFA tournament in any age group.
The Filipinas are raring to go for their World Cup debut, which will come against Switzerland in Dunedin on 21 July.
Portugal
While Portugal’s men have not missed a World Cup since failing to qualify for France 1998, their women have never made it to the big stage. Their fortunes began to change in 2014, with the appointment of Francisco Neto, who has taken them on a journey that now leads to Australia and New Zealand.
UEFA Women’s EURO participants for the first time in 2017 and again in 2022, Portugal are worthy qualifiers and will have quite a welcoming party with fellow newcomers Vietnam, France, 2019 runners-up Netherlands and reigning world champions USA waiting for them in Group E.
Republic of Ireland
There can be no question that the Irish, captained by Arsenal’s Katie McCabe, deserve to be among the 32 qualifiers.
After finishing third in their sections in the qualifiers for Germany 2011, Canada 2015 and France 2019 and just missing out on play-off places in the process, this ever-improving team have finally made the breakthrough. Though they have achieved World Cup qualification without ever reaching a UEFA Women’s EURO, there is no reason why Vera Pauw’s side cannot excel in Australia and New Zealand.
Vietnam
Along with the Philippines, Vietnam are the other Asian side about to make their big Women’s World Cup debut. Their qualification is a rich reward for their consistent showings on the continental scene in the last few years.
While competing with the likes of Japan, China PR and, to a lesser extent, Korea Republic remains a tough task, the Vietnamese have been in and around the top six in Asia in recent years and have enjoyed some quietly impressive campaigns in the Women’s Asian Cup, a competition they last missed in 1997. With six World Cup places now available to AFC teams, it was no surprise to see Vietnam claim one of them.
Zambia
Zambia will be joining Morocco as Africa’s Women’s World Cup debutants. Like the other first-time world finalists, Zambia are reaping the benefits of hard work undertaken in the 2000s.
After making steady progress on the continental scene, the Copper Queens made massive strides at the 2014 and 2018 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations competitions, their first two appearances in the African finals.
Though the World Cup was always seen as a fairly distant goal, Zambia embraced their destiny as a rising power on the local scene, fighting their way through to the semi-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Their reward is meetings with Spain, Costa Rica and Japan on the global stage.
Article source: FIFA (website)
Photo Caption: Zambia will be joining Morocco as Africa’s Women’s World Cup debutants, and follows the Copper Queens making massive strides at the 2014 and 2018 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations competitions, their first two appearances in the African finals. Photo: Supplied
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