Guide To 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Draw

With 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup just 272 days away from kick-off, here is a guide to everything you need to know ahead of the Finals draw. 

The tournament is set to involve 32 countries for the very first time following an expansion from 24 team format, with Australia and New Zealand confirmed as co-hosts.

USA meanwhile enter this tournament as defending champions but are set to face their most arduous title defence yet, with England, Germany and Canada amongst those eager to end America’s title defence in what is set to be the most competitive tournament in the competition’s history.

Now, here is everything that you need to know ahead of 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup draw.

 

When Will 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Draw Be Held?

The draw for 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will take place at Aotea Centre, Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday 22 October at 7:30pm NZDT (7:30am BST UK Time).

Ex US Soccer legend, Carli Lloyd will host the draw alongside CNN International presenter, Amanda Davies, with the following guests providing assistance throughout the draw;

• Maia Jackman (New Zealand)
• Julie Dolan (Australia)
• Zoi Sadowski-Synnot (New Zealand)
• Cate Campbell (Australia)
• Geremi (Cameroon)
• Alexi Lalas (USA)
• Gilberto Silva (Brazil)
• Ian Wright (England)

 

How Many Teams Will Be Involved In Draw?

39 teams (29 definite teams) will be involved in the draw split across four pots containing eight teams, of which co-hosts, Australia and New Zealand will automatically be in Pot One alongside the six highest-ranked nations in FIFA World Rankings.

Those allocated to Pots 2-4 have been seeded based on their FIFA World Ranking, although those in Pot 4 will also be joined by those involved in the three Inter-Continental Play-Off paths, of which those winners won’t be decided until February 2023.

FIFA have confirmed that Play-Off Path A winner won’t be drawn in any group involving two UEFA nations because of Portugal’s involvement in that play-off path.

Pot 1	Pot 2	Pot 3	Pot 4
New Zealand	Canada	Denmark	Nigeria
Australia	Netherlands	Switzerland	Philippines
USA	Brazil	Republic of Ireland	South Africa
Sweden	Japan	Colombia	Morocco
Germany	Norway	Argentina	Zambia
England	Italy	Vietnam	Play-Off Winner A*
France	China	Costa Rica	Play-Off Winner B*
Spain	South Korea	Jamaica	Play-Off Winner C*

*Play-Off Path A – Cameroon, Portugal or Thailand

*Play-Off Path B – Chile, Haiti or Senegal

*Play-Off Path C – Chinese Taipei, Panama, Papa New Guinea or Paraguay

 

How Will The Draw Work?

All 32 teams will be split into eight groups labelled A-H with four teams allocated to each group, although with exception of UEFA based teams – no two teams from same confederation who are known in the draw prior to start of draw proceedings will be placed in the same group.

Given that the Inter-Continental Play-Offs won’t take place until February involving teams from multiple confederations, there is a possibility that two teams from same confederation will end up in the same group once that final stage of Qualifying is completed.

As previously mentioned, Play-Off Path A winner won’t be placed in a group involving two UEFA teams due to Portugal’s involvement in that particular path.

New Zealand and Australia have been allocated to Groups A and B respectively to ensure that both host nations are guaranteed at least three home matches across the tournament.

 

How To Watch The Draw?

The draw will be available to watch live on FIFA+ with the live stream commencing shortly prior to the start of the draw.

 

When Will 2023 FIFA World Cup Take Place?

Once the draw is made, it will be a case of continued preparations for the tournament which won’t commence until 20 July, with the Final scheduled to be held a month later on 20 August at Stadium Australia, Sydney.

Those who are allocated to Groups; A, C, E & G will play their group matches in New Zealand, whilst those in Groups; B, D, F & H will play their group matches in Australia, in order to help minimise travel disruption in the Group Stage.