2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Which Countries Will Debut in Australia and New Zealand?

The FIFA Women’s World Cup is bigger than ever, with a record 32 teams competing this year.

Eight countries benefited from the tournament’s expansion as they will make their debuts at the competition that will be held in Australia and New Zealand.

Sports Brief looks at the newcomers who will look to make waves in the showpiece event.

Philippines

Coach, Alen Stajcic, is working wonders for women’s football in the Philippines. He helped the country qualify for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, leading them to a miraculous fourth-place finish in the 2022 Asian Cup.

The Filipinas have built on that success, finishing third in the Southeast Asian Games and winning the AFF Women’s Championship last year, per The Guardian.

A string of good results on the international stage has helped the Philippines soar to 46th in the world rankings ahead of their maiden appearance in the World Cup.

Republic of Ireland

After several near-misses in the World Cup qualifiers for Germany 2011, Canada 2015, and France 2019, the Republic of Ireland finally broke through last October and made history in the process.

They defeated Scotland 1-0 in the European playoffs to punch their ticket to the 2023 Women’s World Cup, per FAI. Substitute, Amber Barrett, scored the winning goal for the Irish, who will face hosts Australia, Canada, and Nigeria in Group B.

Zambia

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Football

The Copper Queens secured their place in the Women’s World Cup after advancing to the semi-finals of the CAF 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Zambia made history as they joined fellow newcomers, Morocco, in punching a ticket to Australia and New Zealand. They will face Spain, Costa Rica, and Japan in Group C.

Haiti

Haiti’s national teams are making waves in women’s football. Nerilia Mondesir led the country’s U-20 side to the Women’s World Cup for that age group back in 2018.

They have taken the next step, with their senior team qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time in their history.

Haiti booked their place in the World Cup after beating Chile 2-1 in their inter-confederation playoff final. They will face China, Denmark, and England in Group D.

Portugal

It may be difficult to believe that Portugal's female football team has never made it to the World Cup until now.

The Europeans have has been a football powerhouse for many years now, with their men’s team appearing in every edition of the World Cup since 2002.

Things started to go in the right direction for A Selecção das Quinas in 2014 when Francisco Neto was appointed as their new manager.

They qualified for the UEFA Women’s Euro tournament for the first time in 2017 and replicated that feat in 2022.

Portugal's dream of becoming a World Cup team finally turned into reality last February when they beat Cameroon 2-1 in their inter-confederation playoff final. They will face the United States, Vietnam, and the Netherlands in Group E.

Vietnam

Southeast Asia is well represented in this year’s Women’s World Cup as Vietnam also qualified for the quadrennial event.

They booked their place in the World Cup after beating Thailand and Chinese Taipei in the inter-confederation playoffs. They will face the United States, Netherlands, and fellow newcomers Portugal in Group E.

Panama

Las Canaleras qualified for the Women’s World Cup for the first time in their history after beating Paraguay 1-0 in their inter-confederation playoff final last February.

Lineth Cedeno was the hero for Panama, scoring the winning goal in the 75th minute. They will face Brazil, France, and Jamaica in Group F.

Morocco

It’s a great time to be a fan of Morocco’s national football teams nowadays.

Last year, the Atlas Lions made history, becoming the first African side to reach the semi-finals of a men’s World Cup. This year, it is the women’s turn to make Morocco proud.

They qualified for the event after finishing second in the 2022 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. They will face Colombia, Germany, and the Republic of Korea in Group H, per FIFA.com.

2023 Women's World Cup stadiums

Sports Brief also reported on the stadiums that will host the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

These include the Brisbane Stadium, the Hindmarsh Stadium, and the stunning Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

Dunedin Stadium, Eden Park, and the Wellington Regional Stadium are among the host venues in New Zealand.