In just a few weeks, we will witness the third World Cup within a span of six months. First, we had the men's World Cup held in Qatar, where Lionel Messi led Argentina to glory for the first time since 1986. Then came the U-20 World Cup in Argentina which Uruguay won. Now, the eagerly anticipated Women's World Cup is up next, and it brings a historic moment as it will feature 32 teams for the first time. The stage is set for a thrilling tournament ahead. We’ll answer all your questions about it, discuss on what to expect and offer a few betting tips but before we do, head to the best betting site in Nigeria, BetKing, and check out our variety of betting options from live matches today to our virtual bets section. BetKing also offers Daily Specials with boosted odds, which you can find here. You can bookmark these pages and visit every morning for new and enhanced specials.
**Where Is It, and When Will It Start?** Two countries, Australia and New Zealand, will jointly host the World Cup. The tournament will start on the 20th of July and run through the 20th of August, coinciding with the resumption of club football for next season. Australia will kick off the tournament with a game against the Republic of Ireland in Sydney while New Zealand will play Norway in Auckland the same day. [New Zealand Are Underdogs in the Opening Game vs. Norway. Click Here For Odds](https://m.betking.com/sports/match/5361392/new-zealand-norway) [Sam Kerr’s Australia Are Favorites vs. Ireland In their Opening Game. Click Here For Odds](https://m.betking.com/sports/match/5361393/australia-ireland) **What Are The Groups?** In this year's World Cup, the number of competing teams will expand from 24, as seen in the 2019 edition in France, to 32 teams. It is noteworthy that eight teams qualifying for the tournament will make their debut at the World Cup, highlighting the remarkable progress in women's football. These teams include The Philippines, Vietnam, Morocco, Zambia, Haiti, Panama, Portugal, and the Republic of Ireland. Below is the comprehensive list of all 32 participating teams: **What About Nigeria’s Super Falcons?** **[Group B: Australia, Republic of Ireland, Nigeria, and Canada]** Nigeria’s Super Falcons hold the distinction of being one of the seven teams that have participated in all eight previous World Cups, and they will extend this record by making their ninth consecutive appearance this year. However, despite their impressive track record, their performances at the World Cup have fallen short of their own high standards. In the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, the Super Falcons have displayed dominance, winning 11 out of 14 tournaments. In stark contrast, they have only managed to progress beyond the Group Stage of the FIFA World Cup on two occasions, with one of those instances occurring in the 1999 edition in the USA, which featured only 16 teams. Throughout their World Cup history, Nigeria has played in 26 matches, losing 19 and winning just 4. They have scored 20 goals while conceding 63. This year’s edition of the World Cup will present its own set of challenges for the Super Falcons. One of the deadliest strikers on the planet, Sam Kerr leads co-hosts, Australia. At 29 years old, Kerr recently concluded a remarkable season by leading Chelsea to secure both the League and Cup titles for the third consecutive year, scoring an impressive total of 29 goals across all competitions. Having made her international debut at the age of 15 in 2009, she has since netted a record 63 goals for the Matildas. In April, Australia secured a notable victory over England, the reigning European Champions, with a 2-0 scoreline, marking the Lionesses' first defeat in 30 games. Unsurprisingly, Sam Kerr was the one to open the scoring in that match. Nigeria will also encounter the Republic of Ireland, a team making their World Cup debut, during the tournament. However, their toughest challenge will likely come from Canada, considered one of the favorites in the competition. After securing bronze medals in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, Canada achieved a historic milestone by winning gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. They accomplished this feat by defeating Sweden 3-2 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw. Unfortunately for Canada, they will be without the services of Janine Beckie, who suffered an ACL injury in March, ruling her out for the season. Beckie, who contributed to Canada's success, including scoring in a friendly against Nigeria in 2019, has scored 36 international goals. Her absence will undoubtedly be a significant loss for the team. Still, they have enough firepower to cause Nigeria significant damage. In the face of a challenging group, Nigeria will once again rely on their biggest star, Asisat Oshoala. The talented striker, who plays for Barcelona Femeni, is coming off an exceptional season where she played a crucial role in helping her team clinch both the Primera División and the Champions League titles. With an impressive record of 83 goals in 89 appearances for Barcelona Femeni and an additional 83 goals for the Super Falcons, Oshoala has established herself as a true icon of African women's football, having been crowned African Women's Footballer of the Year five times. Nigeria's squad also boasts the talents of exciting young players such as 23-year-old Rasheedat Ajibade from Atlético Madrid and 22-year-old goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie from Paris FC. Additionally, the team benefits from the experienced leadership of Onome Ebi, a 40-year-old center-back from Levante who has been representing the Super Falcons since 2003. Together, this blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents forms a formidable lineup for Nigeria. [Nigeria vs Canada (21st July)](https://m.betking.com/sports/match/5361394/nigeria-canada) Australia vs Nigeria (27th July) Republic of Ireland vs Nigeria (31st July)
**Who Are The Title Favorites?** The teams to watch out for in this tournament are the usual suspects. Canada, who clinched gold in the Tokyo Olympics, poses a significant threat. Another team to keep an eye on is England, the reigning European Champions. They boast top-notch players such as Mary Earps, who currently holds the FIFA Women's Goalkeeper of the Year title, as well as the talented Barcelona Femeni duo of Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh. Additionally, they have a rising star in world football, Lauren James, who is considered one of the most exciting young players. Undoubtedly, the United States will be the clear favorites in the upcoming tournament. Their remarkable track record includes winning four out of the seven World Cups, including the last two. They now have the opportunity to achieve a historic three-peat, a feat never accomplished by any national team, regardless of gender. The United States' arsenal of attacking players is undeniably intimidating. Alex Morgan, a seasoned veteran, is coming off her first-ever NWSL Golden Boot-winning season. Sophia Smith, the runner-up for the Golden Boot, made history as the youngest MVP in NWSL history last season. Additionally, the duo of Mallory Swanson and Ashley Hatch, who ranked 5th and 6th on the NWSL scoring chart, further strengthens their attacking prowess. In their last 14 World Cup matches, the USWNT has won an impressive 13 games and drawn one, scoring a remarkable 40 goals while conceding a mere six. Placed in a group with two debutants, Vietnam and Portugal, as well as a Netherlands team missing the influential Vivianne Miedema of Arsenal, it is expected that the United States will not only emerge victorious but also do so with significant margins. We expect some impressive runs from European teams like Sweden and Germany - the runners-up of the 2020 Olympics and 2021 European Championship, respectively, and we also believe Spain will deliver a better performance after their Round of 16 exit in 2019, given their talented squad. However, it is crucial to keep an eye on France. Despite their Quarter-final eliminations in the last two World Cups and the notable internal conflicts between former coach Corinne Diacre and key players, including Lyon captain Wendie Renard, Les Bleues have appointed a new coach in the form of Hervé Renard. Renard, renowned for his distinctive golden hair and white shirt, has made a name for himself by winning two AFCON titles with Zambia and Ivory Coast. Just last winter, he led Saudi Arabia to a historic victory over Argentina in their opening game of the Qatar World Cup. Although this is his first experience managing a women's team, Renard has never shied away from a challenge. [Check Out Each Team’s Odds To Win The Title Here](https://m.betking.com/sports/events/outright/football/special-offer/transfer-specials) **Who Are The Players To Look Out For?** Just before the 2022 Women's European Championship, the two-time consecutive Ballon d'Or winner, Alexia Putellas (Spain), unfortunately suffered an ACL injury. However, she has made a full recovery and even featured in Barcelona Femeni's 3-2 victory over Wolfsburg in the Champions League final. Great expectations surround her performance in the upcoming tournament. Additionally, players like Sam Kerr (Australia), Mary Earps (England), and Sophia Smith and Alex Morgan (USA), whom we have previously discussed, are anticipated to play significant roles for their respective teams. 2018 Ballon d'Or winner, Ada Hegerberg (Norway) enters this tournament with a clear point to prove. She is making her return to the national team after choosing to sit out of the 2019 World Cup due to a dispute with the Norwegian Football Federation. Her decision stemmed from concerns regarding unequal opportunities given to the women's team compared to their male counterparts. Since then, Hegerberg has continued her success at club level, contributing to Lyon's triumph in three Division 1 Féminine titles and two Champions League titles. Her presence in the tournament is highly anticipated as she aims to make a statement on the international stage. Germany’s Jule Brand (20 years, Wolfsburg) and Klara Bühl (22 years, Bayern Munich), are some of the most exciting talents to come out of the Bundesliga in recent years. Both left-wingers, Brand is a clinical finisher while Bühl is a high-volume creator. While the German team relies on experienced veterans like Alexandra Popp, Svenja Huth (both from Wolfsburg), and Lina Magull (Bayern) who contributed to their Euro final appearance, the inclusion of Jule Brand and Klara Bühl adds a youthful spark to the team. [Check Here For The Best Betting Offers For The Women’s FIFA World Cup](https://m.betking.com/sports/events/prematch/football/fifa-womens-world-cup/womens-world-cup-2023-matches)