WINNIPEG – The matches are set and the countdown is on until the Women’s World Cup comes to Canada next summer.
FIFA announced the draw Saturday in Ottawa. The broadcast was streamed live at The Forks in Winnipeg where hundreds of people gathered in excitement.
Canada faces China on June 6th to open up the World Cup in Group A. The Canadians are ranked eighth in the world while China is No. 14. The Netherlands, ranked 15th, and New Zealand, ranked 16th are also in Group A.
“Although China has a good history they haven’t been one of the top nations in recent years so I think we’ll be very confident on top in that group,” said Rob Gale, head coach of Canada’s U20 men’s national team who was at the Winnipeg event.
Winnipeg will host Group D, which many are already coining the ‘Group of Death’ as it features the USA, Sweden, Australia and Nigeria — three of which are top 10 ranked teams.
“We’ve got the toughest group,” said Gale. “That’s going to be the group that people are talking about and we’ve got it here in Winnipeg,” said Gale, who anticipates many Americans will come to Winnipeg to watch the game live.
Team Canada’s Desiree Scott of Winnipeg took to social media throughout the afternoon.
Here is the full list of the groups:
- Group A: Canada, China, New Zealand, the Netherlands
- Group B: Germany, Ivory Coast, Norway, Thailand
- Group C: Japan,Switzerland, Cameroon, Ecuador
- Group D: U.S, Australia, Sweden, Nigeria
- Group E: Brazil, South Korea, Spain, Costa Rica
- Group F: France, England, Colombia, Mexico
Tickets are already on sale and can be purchased on FIFA’s website.
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