Canada, Denmark, Nigeria … The worst and the best draw for the Blue

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The French will know what sauce they will be eaten in Australia and New Zealand. The draw for the group stage of the 2023 World Cup (July 20-August 20) will take place on Saturday October 22. Franceinfo: sport was interested in the fate that the chance of the draw could reserve for the France team: the worst, and the best.

Even if the Bleues, placed in hat 1, will not be able to face big names like the United States, England or Germany, certain teams in the other hats could cause them problems. Especially since finishing first in your group will be of great importance, in order to avoid the best nations in the round of 16. After finally reaching the last four of an international competition during the last Euro, the players of Corinne Deacon will want to do at least as well, four years after the cruel quarter-final lost against the Americans at the Parc des Princes (2-1).

The worst draw: Canada, Denmark, Nigeria

Among the big names in pot 2 (Brazil, Netherlands, Norway…), Canada seems to be the opponent most to be feared. Olympic champions in Tokyo after their victory on penalties against Sweden in early August 2021, the players of Beverly Priestman achieved a beautiful Gold Cup, conceding no goal of the tournament apart from an unfortunate penalty from the American Alex Morgan in the final ( 1-0 loss).

In addition, Canada has in its ranks a living legend of world women’s football in the person of Christine Sinclair.. The 39-year-old striker, the second most capped international player in history, has 317 caps with Canada and will be keen to shine in what could be her last international competition. In addition, other familiar faces at D1 Arkema are likely to join the party, like the Parisian Ashley Lawrence or the new head of the Lyon defense Vanessa Gilles.

As the rules of the draw specify that the presence of two European teams in the same group is authorized, the Blue could then inherit Denmark in hat 3. Next summer, the Scandinavians will want to redeem themselves after their missed Euro 2022, during which they couldn’t even get out of their chicken.

Among the five known teams in hat 4 (three places will be up for grabs at the end of the intercontinental play-offs in February 2023), Nigeria stands out. Despite their fourth place at the last African Cup of Nations, the Super Falcons remain a benchmark on their continent with 11 titles out of the 14 editions. In the group stage of the 2019 World Cup, the Blues had just fought to win on the smallest score thanks to a late penalty from Wendie Renard (0-1).

The best draw: South Korea, Jamaica, Zambia

Even if the level of hat 2 is homogeneous, South Korea seems more maneuverable than Japan, China or Italy. The South Koreans have not changed much since the last World Cup during which they did not come out of their pool. Corinne Deacon’s players also keep good memories of it since they had made short work of it during the opening match at the Parc des Princes (4-0).

The increase from 24 to 32 teams for this World Cup makes it possible to have, in hat 3, a large batch of teams that are more than affordable for the France team. Alongside Ireland, Costa Rica and Vietnam, crushed by Les Bleues in a friendly match this summer (7-0), Jamaica acts as an easy target because of its low 47th place in the FIFA rankings.

Among the five teams already qualified for pot 4, Zambia, third in the last CAN, should finally pose no problem. Moreover, the observation would remain the same if the players of Corinne Deacon had to face a team from the intercontinental play-offs (Cameroon, Chile, Senegal, Haiti, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Panama…).


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