The expansion of the FIFA Women’s World Cup means 32 teams will take to the world stage Down Under this summer, an advance of 24 in 2019.
With progress comes expansion and a whole raft of sides will make their tournament debut in moments of immense pride for eight countries from around the globe. The Republic of Ireland, who were Australia’s first test, and the Lionesses’ opening opponents Haiti are just two teams vying to cause some upsets in the group stage.
Morocco, Philippines, Portugal, Panama, Vietnam and Zambia all also take to the World Cup for the first time as they prepare for an electric tournament across Australia and New Zealand.
Here’s a guide to all the sides stepping into the competition to make their debuts.
Haiti
Group D’s Caribbean contenders will be out to put on a show for their 11.65 million population watching back home as they face England in their opening tournament fixture in Brisbane.
It will take a lot to challenge the dominance of the European champions, ranked fourth in the world, but this Haiti side certainly do not lack determination.
Newly signed Lyon forward Melchie Dumornay is certainly one to watch in their attacking ranks, banking 11 goals and five assists in 18 league appearances last season for Reims.
Coach Nicolas Delépine has transformed the fortunes of this Haitian side who qualified for the World Cup within his first year at the helm and has the next generation of talent to thank for seismic progress.
Republic of Ireland
Arsenal’s Katie McCabe has guided her side to their first-ever World Cup as captain and the Republic of Ireland are showing no signs of slowing down.
They faced a mammoth task in their opening Group B, ‘group of death’, fixture against co-hosts Australia but Vera Pauw’s players thrived on the hostility of a packed Stadium Australia in Sydney, and while they lost 1-0, the effort did not go unnoticed and they’re ones to watch.
They were dealt a blow in their pre-tournament friendly fixture against Colombia, which was abandoned after becoming “overly physical”, albeit key midfielder Denise O’Sullivan, who is recovering from bone bruising and soft tissue damage after the clash, looks likely to feature.
The Girls in Green played their first official international more than 50 years ago, but their most memorable to date could have been against the Matildas on Thursday.
Morocco
Debutants Morocco will be making history in more ways than one when they step out to face former champions Germany in Melbourne.
25-year-old Nouhaila Benzina will be the first and only Hijabi player to participate in a World Cup when she takes to the pitch for the Atlas Lionesses.
The WAFCON finalists lost 2-1 to South Africa but had already secured World Cup football by making it to Rabat in front of a 51,000 crowd.
It will be a difficult run for former Olympique Lyonnais manager Reynald Pedros in Group H against Colombia, South Korea and Germany but the UEFA Women’s Champions League and back-to-back league title winner will have a few tricks up his sleeve from his club football days.
Philippines
Group A’s Filipinas made an all-important breakthrough for women’s football in the country when they qualified for the World Cup by reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 AFC Women’s Asia Cup.
Their qualification has sparked a renewed interest in the sport in the country after they missed out on qualifying for France’s 2019 World Cup.
They first come up against Switzerland in their opening fixture in Dunedin on July 21 but their clash with co-hosts New Zealand may be their most interesting battle with Australian coach Alen Stajcic pulling the tactical strings.
Fans should keep an eye out for 16-year-old Bella Pasion who received a senior call-up after impressing in the U20 World Cup qualifiers.
Jessica Silva of Portugal will finally play in a World Cup, 12 years after making her debut at 16 years old. (
Image:
iona Goodall - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Portugal
Making their mark on the World Cup Down Under, Francisco Neto’s Portuguese side have a whole host of exciting club players from across Europe in their ranks.
The squad are well-seasoned Euros performers by now but how they will fare on the World Cup stage is an interesting question.
They find themselves in good company with fellow debutants Vietnam but sharing Group E with World Cup holders and favourites USA alongside 2017 EUROs winners the Netherlands means there will be little room for complacency.
Former Chelsea forward and WSL and FA Cup winner Ana Borges will feature for Seleção das Quinas alongside another attacking threat Jessica Silva, who made her international debut aged just 16.
Panama
Las Canaleras played their first international fixture as late as 2002 against Guatemala winning 2-1.
More than 20 years later, the Central American side will face South American titans Brazil in Adelaide for a tough Group F showdown, made more difficult by a 7-0 loss to Spain in their warm-up game.
Captain Natalia Mills at 30 years old is a player of experience and her level head will be key if this young Panama side are going to keep their cool Down Under.
They make their mark just five years after Panama’s men qualified for the 2018 World Cup and, thanks to qualification goalscorer Lineth Cedeno, matched the historic feat promptly.
Vietnam
Vietnam’s Golden Girls are certainly building a reputation that matches up to their name.
With odds against them in their qualifier, as Chinese Taipei required just a draw from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup play-off, Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy steered her team to a historic victory, sending them to New Zealand.
Their first fixture in Hamilton will call for a double celebration against fellow debutants Portugal while Huynh Nhu will be after a sixth successive Vietnamese Golden Ball by adding some more goals to her tally.
Long-standing coach Mai Duc Chung will be looking for his side to show their characteristic spirit for all to see at his final tournament in charge.
Last year England’s Lionesses conquered Europe, this year they are out to rule the world!
Sarina Wiegman takes her team Down Under this summer as one of the favourites to lift the World Cup.
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Zambia
Zambia booked their place at the World Cup last year when they shocked Senegal in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, winning on penalties after holding their rivals to a 1-1 draw.
South Africa stole a 94th-minute winning penalty in their semi-final clash but those wounds will have been healed by travelling Down Under as they prepare to mark the historic occasion in Hamilton against Japan.
Most of the side are sponsored by the Zambian military, including star defender 22-year-old Lushomo Mweemba who plays for the Green Buffaloes as well as being employed as a lance corporal.
Coach Bruce Mwape has been in charge since 2018 will hopes his side can show the same courage they displayed at WAFCON and in their 3-2 victory over Germany in their warm-up fixture.
