The countdown has begun for the highly anticipated ninth edition of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, scheduled to be held from July 20 to August 20, 2023.
This quadrennial international football championship, organized by FIFA, will be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. The recent announcement of the qualified teams from each confederation has ignited excitement and anticipation among football fans worldwide.
The FIFA Council confirmed the allocation of slots for each confederation on December 25, 2020. The tournament features a total of 32 nations competing for the ultimate glory in women's football. The host nations, Australia and New Zealand, directly took slots from their respective confederations, the AFC and OFC.
Here's a breakdown of the slots allocated to each confederation:
– AFC (Asia): 6 slots (including co-hosts Australia)
– CAF (Africa): 4 slots
– CONCACAF (North America, Central America, and the Caribbean): 6 slots
– CONMEBOL (South America): 3 slots
– OFC (Oceania): 1 slot (including co-hosts New Zealand)
– UEFA (Europe): 12 slots
– Inter-confederation play-off tournament: 3 slots
The qualified teams, ranked based on the FIFA Women's World Ranking before the tournament, represent a diverse mix of seasoned contenders and exciting debutants.
Here is a regional breakdown of the qualified teams and their respective world ranking:
List of Teams Qualified to The FIFA Women's World Cup 2023
CAF (Africa)
Nigeria – 40
In 1999, The Super Falcons went on the reach the quarter finals of the tournament, their best ever record at the FIFA Women's World Cup.
Morocco – 72
Morocco created history by becoming the first Arab country to qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup.
South Africa – 54
The current African Champion, South Africa women's national football team will represented South Africa at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, its their second ever qualification after 2019.
Zambia – 77
Zambia's qualification holds a special significance, as they become the first landlocked country in Africa to secure a spot in a FIFA World Cup for either sex.
UEFA (Europe)
Denmark – 13
Denmark returns to the Women's World Cup after a 16-year absence, having missed the previous three tournaments.
England – 4
Six times in all, England has earned a spot in the women's world cup. They've advanced to the semifinals twice and the quarterfinals three times, most recently in 2019 when they lost to eventual champions US.
France – 5
Germany – 2
The Germany women's national football team has represented Germany at the FIFA Women's World Cup on eight occasions in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019. They have won the title twice and were runners-up once.
Italy – 16
Italy's qualification for two consecutive women's World Cups marks a historic achievement for the country, which had only sporadically participated in previous tournaments (1991, 1999, and 2019).
Netherlands – 9
Netherlands finished as runners-up at the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019.
Norway – 12
The Norwegian Women's Soccer Team won their first and only World Cup in 1995. In the Group Stage, the country started out in Group B with England, Canada, and Nigeria. Norway defeated Nigeria 8-0 in the first game they played.
Portugal – 21
Portugal qualified for the last three spots by winning their separate groups in the February inter-confederation play-off event.
Republic of Ireland – 22
The Republic of Ireland also made a significant milestone, making their first-ever appearance in any senior women's tournament.
Spain – 6
The Women's National football team of Spain has only made it to the World Cup three times, and they have never won it.
Sweden – 3
The first World Cup match for Sweden is against South Africa on July 23. Their most recent team, which will be revealed on July 9 along with their final World Cup roster, is shown below.
Switzerland – 20
Switzerland have also earned their way back to the competition after sitting out the 2019 edition.
AFC (Asia)
Australia – 10
Australia has never won the FIFA World Cup, with their best performance being a finish in the Round of 16 in 2006 and 2022.
China – 14
China has hosted the FIFA Women's World Cup twice and they won silver in 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Japan – 11
Japan won the World Cup in 2011, finished second in 2015, both times against the United States, but was eliminated in the round of 16 four years ago.
Philippines – 46
The Philippines is gearing up for its first FIFA Women's World Cup finals.
Group A includes the Philippines, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Norway.
South Korea – 17
The South Korean national women's team is set to play in their fourth FIFA Women's World Cup finals in July.
Vietnam – 32
Vietnam has never played in a World Cup tournament, they are set to make thei debut this July in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.
CONCACAF (North America, Central America, and the Caribbean)
Canada – 7
Canada has made 8 appearances in the FIFA Women's World Cup, first in 1995. They finished fourth in 2003, it was their best ranking.
Costa Rica – 36
Following their absence from the 2019 competition, Costa Rica has also secured their return to the FIFA Women's World Cup.
Haiti – 53
After winning their separate groups at the inter-confederation play-off competition in February, Haiti qualified for the top three spots.
Jamaica – 43
Panama – 52
Panama qualified for the final three places after winning their respective groups at the inter-confederation play-off tournament in February.
United States – 1
The United States will enter the FIFA Women's World Cup as the two-time defending champion on July 20.
CONMEBOL (South America)
Argentina – 28
Argentina's women's football team has taken part in four FIFA Women's World Cups: in 2003, 2007, 2019 and 2023.
Brazil – 8
Brazil has won eight of the last nine Copa América championships, making them the most successful women's national team in South America. They have been contenders for the world championship since 1999. They finished second in 2007.
Colombia – 25
Colombia, which missed the 2019 competition, has earned their way back into it as well throught FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.
OFC (Oceania)
New Zealand – 26
New Zealand qualified automatically along with Australia to the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, as co hosts.
The #FIFAWWC 2023 will be a tournament of firsts! 🤩👏#BeyondGreatness
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 22, 2023
The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup will witness several historic moments and notable firsts. Eight nations, namely Haiti, Morocco, Panama, the Philippines, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, Vietnam, and Zambia, will be making their debuts at the tournament, adding a fresh and exciting dynamic to the competition.
Notably, this will mark the first-ever FIFA tournament for the Philippines, and Panama, Portugal, and Vietnam's first foray into FIFA women's competitions after participating only in various FIFA men's tournaments.
African football fans will celebrate as the continent will have four representatives in the competition for the first time in its history, showcasing the growth and development of women's football in Africa.
As the clock ticks closer to the opening match, fans worldwide eagerly await the start of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. With a diverse mix of seasoned powerhouses and enthusiastic newcomers, this tournament promises to be a celebration of talent, teamwork, and the enduring spirit of women's football
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
