Browsing: Canada

In principle, the nations would be divided into 16 groups of three, with two qualifying to reach the round of 16. In recent days, the Guardian has reported that there have been informal discussions about changing the original plans. Arsène Wenger, Fifa’s director of development, has confirmed that the body may reconsider its plans – as reported also by RMC Sport.

At the draw ceremony held in Auckland/Tâmaki Makaurau on Saturday, it emerged that Nigeria will play Canada in her first match of the competition to be staged in a total of nine cities (five in Australia and four in New Zealand), and which will boast 32 teams – the biggest in the history of the FIFA Women’s World Cup since it began in China in 1991.