By Victor Kanayo
With nine days to the kick-off of the much anticipated Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, FIFA has confirmed that all 32 participating countries including Nigeria and three other African sides have their squad ready.
This was disclosed in a statement via FIFA website on Tuesday.
Part of the statement reads, “With the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 just nine days from kick-off, the full squads for all 32 teams at the tournament have now been confirmed.
“736 of the world’s best female footballers will converge in the southern hemisphere for the ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, each with the dream of lifting the iconic trophy at Stadium Australia in Sydney/Wangal on Sunday, 20 August.”
Kick-off Schedules
The mundial will gallop off on Thursday July 20 with New Zealand facing 1995 winners Norway at Eden Park in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau.
The action will continue in Australia on the same day, with Australia facing Women’s World Cup debutantes Republic of Ireland at Stadium Australia in Sydney/Wangal.
History-Making Players – Past And Present
From the submitted lists from nations, Korea Republic’s US-born striker Casey Phair is the youngest player listed.
According to FIFA, “Phair only celebrated her 16th birthday on 29 June, meaning if she features in either of Korea’s opening two group matches she will become the youngest player in the history of the tournament.”
Before this year’s World Cup, Nigeria’s Ifeanyi Chiejine, who was aged 16 years and 34 days when she started the Super Falcons’ group-stage encounter with Korea DPR at USA 1999 had remained the youngest-ever player to feature at global soccer fiesta.
Meanhile, Nigeria’s 40-year-old defender Onome Ebi will be the oldest participant at Australia & New Zealand 2023.
Ebi is set to become the first female or male African player to perform at six World Cups.
Before this term, Brazil great Formiga is the Women’s World Cup oldest-ever player – the midfielder was aged 41 years and 112 days when she played in her nation’s round-of-16 clash with tournament hosts France four years ago.
African Sides On Parade
Aside Nigeria, Zambia, South Africa and Morocco are other African nations taking part during this year’s competition.
No African side have gone past the quarter-final stage, and it was Nigeria’s Super Falcons that had achieved that.
