The African group of South Africa, Nigeria, Morocco and Zambia learned their 2023 FIFA World Cup fate on Saturday when the draw for the finals was conducted in Auckland/Tamaki Makaura.
The pair of Cameroon and Senegal will have to go through a round robin inter-continental playoff where their top finishers progress to the World Cup.
The tournament will take place from July 20 to August 20 with the opening game being a clash between co-hosts New Zealand and 1995 world champions Norway at Eden Park, while co-hosts Australia, will kick off against debutants Republic of Ireland.
African champions Banyana Banyana was drawn in Group G with Italy, Argentina, and Sweden. Banyana will look to improve on their dismal showing in their debut World Cup in 2019 where they finished bottom of Group B with zero points and a single goal against heavyweights Germany, Spain, and China.
Desiree Ellis’ charges will open their tournament next year against Sweden; face the Le Azzurre in the last Group G match on August 2 and Argentina’s La Albicelestein the final group game.
Zambia are in Group C alongside Spain, Costa Rica, and former champions Japan.
Nigeria, who have qualified to nine consecutive World Cups, find themselves in Group B alongside tournament co-hosts Australia, debutants Republic of Ireland, and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics gold medallists Canada.
The 2022 African Women’s Cup of Nations hosts and runners up Morocco are in Group H with heavyweights Germany, Colombia, and Korea Republic.
The final two spots at the World Cup will be decided in the inter-confederation playoffs in February next year. The African pair of Cameroon and Senegal will fancy their chances from Group A and B respectively.
FULL DRAW:
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 PR
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, Korea Republic
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