CNN –
The Women’s World Cup is finally here and the tournament’s second day of action has plenty of exciting storylines in store.
Olympic champions Canada kick off their campaign in Friday’s opening match before one of the Women’s World Cup debutants – the Philippines – takes on the global event.
Finally, the Spanish women take on Costa Rica, a mirror image of the men’s national team’s first game in Qatar, when La Roja won 7-0.
Nigeria and Canada go head-to-head in Melbourne on Thursday at 10:30 p.m. ET before the Philippines and Switzerland take the field in Dunedin on Friday at 1 a.m. ET.
The final game of the day comes in Wellington when Spain and Costa Rica take the field at 3:30pm ET on Friday.
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Canada is considered one of the favorites to battle for the title of the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand due to their recent success.
In 2021, it won the gold medal at the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics by beating Sweden on penalties, securing its first major international honor.
Though successful at the tournament, Canada struggled at Worlds despite talented sides – this time led by captain and national mascot Christine Sinclair.
They reached the knockout stages in the last two editions of the tournament, including the round of 16 in 2019, which saw the team reach the knockout stage for the first time in a World Cup played outside of the United States and Canada.
However, expectations are high this year given the increasingly star-studded roster – made up of players who regularly perform and win trophies around the world.
From the deep attacking depth of Sinclair and Adriana Leon to a determined defense made up of the likes of Allysha Chapman, Kadeisha Buchanan, Shelina Zadorsky and Ashley Lawrence, it’s difficult to spot a weakness in the Canada team.
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Sinclair kicks the ball past USWNT midfielder Julie Ertz during the women’s semifinals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
And despite the team’s success at the Olympics, Canada’s head coach Bev Priestman says her team is not complacent and is aiming for the top again.
“We want to climb the highest mountain in the world – the mountain we’ve never climbed,” Priestman told FIFA. “Do I think this team can get a podium at this World Championship? A million percent. And on our day we should do it.”
Canada are the first to meet Nigeria, who are the top-ranked African team at the 2023 edition and ranked 40th in the world.
Although the Super Falcons reached the round of 16 for the first time since 1999, Nigeria have lost more games and conceded more goals than any other team at the World Cup. Over the years, Nigeria has become a fixture at the World Cup, playing in its ninth edition as one of seven nations to have competed in each tournament.
Competing in Group B alongside co-hosts Australia and the Republic of Ireland in Group B, both teams will be aiming for the best possible start to their tournaments when they meet at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Friday.
A day after the stunning opening Group A match between co-hosts New Zealand and Norway, the other two teams in the group will take their first steps in the tournament at Dunedin Stadium – and it will be a momentous event for many reasons.
Not only will it be the first meeting between the Philippines and Switzerland, but the Asian team embarks on a historic journey to the tournament as it is the country’s first World Cup appearance – both men’s and women’s.
The Philippines are currently enjoying a successful football streak built around their World Cup qualification.
The country also reached the semi-finals of the 2022 Asian Cup after previously failing to qualify for the knockout rounds.
With a squad made up of players from all over the world, the squad will be hoping for forward Sarina Bolden to provide much of the attacking thrust.
Indeed, California native Bolden scored the crucial penalty that secured the Philippines’ World Cup qualification and underscored the impact her country’s performance could have at the tournament.
“I think it raises awareness about women’s football, not just in the Philippines but around the world,” Bolden told FIFA. “I still talk to people today who don’t even know there is a Philippines women’s national soccer team.
“So I’m like, ‘Yes, there is.’ And before I joined, I didn’t even know. I’ve known more people since I joined. So it’s all about traction. I know that participating in the World Cup will attract a lot of attention. I hope that the younger kids and people of all ages will want to be more involved in football and that being on that stage will really help us.”
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Bolden controls the ball during a Western Sydney Wanderers vs Western United game in the A-League.
The Asian newcomer faces a difficult task in his opening game against which the weight of history speaks. Since 1995, only three World Cup debutants have won their opening game at a World Cup.
The Philippines’ opponents on Friday are Switzerland, who return to the tournament after failing last time out.
In their tournament debut in 2015, the European nation were knocked out by Canada in the Round of 16 after clinching their fourth-biggest win at a Women’s World Cup with a 10-1 win over Ecuador.
With Norway, group favorites before the tournament, losing to New Zealand, qualification for the group appears to be still open and Switzerland hope to repeat their success last time out.
The country’s star striker Alisha Lehmann says the signing of head coach Inka Grings late last year has had a transformative effect on the team’s mindset.
“I think the coach gave us a German way of thinking, a winning mentality,” said Lehmann. “In the training sessions, she really pays attention to the details and I think that will really help us to progress.
“Ultimately it’s the basics, but if you look at the details, the end product is better. For us it is a great gratitude to have her as a coach. It’s a privilege to be coached by her, especially at the Women’s World Cup.”
The opening game of Group C takes place in Friday’s final game at the Wellington Regional Stadium, with Spain taking on Costa Rica.
The two teams have only met once before – the game ended in a 1-1 draw, which was the teams’ first game at a Women’s World Cup.
Since its debut in 2015, Spanish football has become a hotbed of talent, led by Alexia Putellas and Jennifer Hermoso.
The return of Barcelona star Putellas – who tore her cruciate ligament ahead of Euro 2022 and has only played six times since – will give the team star attacking power.
Even without Putellas, Spain were one of four European sides to qualify for the tournament with a 100 per cent record of success.
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Putellas watches before the international friendly match between Spain and Panama.
With a squad made up mostly of players from the all-outstanding Barça team that won the women’s Champions League in June, La Roja will be a tough opponent throughout.
Their first opponent is Costa Rica, who are participating in a World Cup for the second time.
The team’s ambitions will primarily be focused on star striker Raquel Rodríguez Cedeño.
The Portland Thorns forward is the team’s all-time leading scorer with 55 goals and needs to be in form for Costa Rica to have any hope of promotion.