Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane will host Australia vs Nigeria match on Thursday. Australia Women will be looking to add three more points to their tally against Nigeria Women on Monday after beginning the Women's World Cup 2023 with a 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland. Steph Catley scored a 52nd-minute penalty to give her country the lead, and it was enough for them to claim a third consecutive victory without conceding. The Matildas are carrying a stat of winning 10 of their last 11 internationals. They will like to secure their place in the knockout rounds with a game to spare by defeating Nigeria tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the Super Falcons will be hoping to claim their first win of the tournament after playing a draw with Canada in their opening game. Nigeria pleased their fans with the efforts on Matchday One especially after being reduced to 10 players. Chiamaka Nnadozie became a sensation overnight after pulling off a fine save to deny Christine Sinclair from the penalty spot in the 50th minute. Winning against Australia will not be an easy job but Nigeria can do wonders on Thursday.
FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Australia vs Nigeria | Team News
Australia:
It's not confirmed but most likely the Australia star Sam Kerr will miss the important game against Nigeria. She missed the tournament opener after picking up a calf injury on the eve of the tournament. Australia boss Tony Gustavsson would like to name an unchanged lineup for Matchday Two. Catlin Foord is likely to resume her forward partnership with youngster Mary Fowler.
Australia could represent a bigger challenge, with having home support behind them. They need that as their threat has been reduced somewhere by Same Kerr's absence. She is pivotal and may be the most important part of the team and it won't be an easy game for Australia either. They can surprise the fans with 3-4 goals but the chances are still very low. It is going to be a tough game in Brisbane.
Nigeria:
Nigeria will be without the services of Abiodun. She will serve a one-match suspension following her red card against Canada. Halimatu Ayinde and Rasheedat Ajibade were suspended for the opening game after being sent off against Morocco in the semi-finals of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations. The pair could be brought into the starting lineup for Thursday's contest. Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala represents one of Nigeria's main goal threats, and she will be looking to add some more to the 17 goals that she has scored for her country.
Nigerian fans had a belief, a hope of securing the group stage but it isn't easy. They put up a very tough fight against Canada on the opening day and earned a point. The Super Falcons deserved it and if they register a point or all three points, we shouldn't be surprised. They have the ability and the mentality to produce that kind of magic. Ireland are out of the race and Canada are sitting on the top with 4 points. Group B has opened and tomorrow's match will be an exciting watch.
Australia vs Nigeria | Head-to-Head record
This will be the second meeting between Australia and Nigeria. They were also in the same group in the 2015 World Cup when Australia claimed a routine 2-0 win. Nigeria have failed to score in six of their last seven games (five losses). Australia is coming with 10 victories in their last 11 games. Chiamaka Nnadozie has kept a clean sheet in seven of her last 11 games for club and country. Australia are the favourites but on a given day, anything can happen.
Possible Lineups
Australia Women's possible starting lineup: Arnold; Carpenter, Hunt, Kennedy, Catley; Raso, Gorry, Cooney-Cross, Vine; Foord, Fowler
Till now, along with the hosts USA, Mexico and Canada, fifteen other teams have qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Tunisia, Colombia, and Morocco were the latest teams to qualify for the event.
The participating teams' line-up for the FIFA World Cup 2026 has started taking shape, as Iran and Argentina have booked their place from the qualification round into the finals of the tournament.
In 2022, the FIFA World Cupprovided an unforgettable experience for over 1 billion viewers who tuned in. LionelMessi-led Argentina to victory, giving the nation moments of joy and a fitting tribute to the late Diego Maradona while solidifying his place among players who have won every major trophy.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and his team in their bid to improve the quality of the World Cup and promote inclusivity increased the number of teams that will participate in the World Cup from an initial 32 teams to 48 teams.
The teams will be split into 12 groups of 4 teams, with the top 2 of each group and the 8 best third-placed teams progressing to a new Round of 32,
The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and will be jointly hosted by 16 cities in three North American countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The tournament will be the first hosted by three nations and the first North American World Cup since 1994 and will be the first World Cup since 2002 to be hosted by more than one nation.
Qualification for the World Cup is done based on the regions of the World. Each regional Confederation is responsible for its qualification tournament, which will consist of at least one round of competition using the following formats
Confederations can use a League format in which each team in a group plays all other teams in their group twice – once at home and once away.
A single round-robin format in which each team in a group plays all other teams in their group once, with the venues either drawn at random or assigned by the confederation with the agreement of the playing association
A Knockout format in which each team in a round plays one other team over two legs once at home and once away.
With FIFA's permission, a tournament is held in one of the participating nations or neutral territory.
With FIFA's permission, a single-leg knockout format.
Europe has 16 slots, Asia has 8 slots with one extra from playoffs making it 9, Africa has 9 slots with one extra coming from playoffs,South America has 6 with one extra coming from playoffs making a total of 7, North America has 6 slots with 3 already taken due to the host nations.
Teams That Have Qualified
With qualifications still ongoing, the only nations that have qualified are the host nations, namely the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada qualification process for the World Cup will be ongoing till the end of November 2025, and till then, teams will be struggling to qualify.
1. The USA
Despite not predominantly being a football nation, the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) has managed to establish a formidable team with the likes of Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun.
The appointment of Argentinian Mauricio Pochettino as their head coach shows some sign of intent that the country intends to go as far as possible in the World Cup.
Mexico has qualified for every World Cup in the past decade, but playing on home soil will give them the advantage of fan support. While they may be without their veteran goalkeeper Ochoa, who has been crucial in past tournaments, they remain a team not to be underestimated.
Canada had a memorable 2022 World Cup in Qatar, highlighted by their surprising win against Belgium. However, they lost their remaining group games to Morocco and Croatia, leading to their early exit from the tournament.
Known for their attacking football, Canada relies on pace in midfield and attack, with Jonathan David and Alphonso Davies being key to their World Cup ambitions.
Teams from the Qualifier Rounds
4. Japan
Japan has become the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup from the qualification round. On March 20, Thursday, Hajime Moriyasu's side beat Bahrain 2-0 in Group C of the AFC World Cup qualifiers.
Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo scored in the second half to inspire the Samurai Blue to ensure their eighth consecutive World Cup appearance, guaranteeing a top-two finish in the qualifiers standings.
New Zealand has qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the third time with a 3-0 home win over New Caledonia in the OFC Qualifiers Final on Monday, March 24.
Three second-half goals from Michael Boxall, Kosta Barbarouses, and Elijah led New Zealand to a comfortable 3-0 win at Eden Park in Auckland. This win marks the All Whites' return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010 when they registered three draws against Slovakia, Italy, and Paraguay in South Africa.
For the first time, the All Whites qualified directly for a World Cup, as Oceania received an automatic spot in next year’s 48-team tournament, rather than having to go through an intercontinental play-off as they did in the past.
6. Iran
(Image Credit | AFP)
Iran have become the second Asian side to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals following a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan on March 25 in the third round of the AFC World Cup Qualifiers Group A.
Mehdi Taremi's brace secured a point for Iran to stay atop the Group A table with 20 points in 8 matches, securing the guaranteed top two finish in the group stage. On the other hand, Uzbekistan is just one victory away from their inaugural World Cup appearance.
Tino pai to our fantastic national football team🙌 Mean as! Iran has secured its place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the third team to qualify after Japan and @NZ_Football Ka mau te wehi 🇮🇷 This marks our fourth consecutive appearance after 2014,2018,and2022!#FIFAWorldCuppic.twitter.com/2RjE9j2gpa
— The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran (@iranembassy_nz) March 25, 2025
Despite the qualification format being made easier for Asia due to the expanded 48-team World Cup, Iran has sealed the passage to their fourth World Cup finals in a row, and seventh in their history.
In the AFC Qualifiers, the top two teams qualify directly for the World Cup, while the teams finishing third and fourth in the three Asian groups will enter an additional qualifying round.
7. Argentina
(Image Credit | EPA)
The reigning World Champions have stormed into the FIFA World Cup 2026 following a 4-1 crushing over eternal rivals Brazil in the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers on March 26.
La Albiceleste currently top the table with 31 points in 14 matches, 16 points clear of seventh-placed Venezuela, with the required seven points at this point.
8. Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 as the 8th team to qualify till now. They have qualified in virtue of finishing in the top two in Group A of the AFC's third-round of qualifiers.
This is the first time they have qualified for the FIFA World Cup. Not only that, they are the first Central Asia country to qualify for the grandest stage of football.
South Korea qualified for their 11th straight FIFA World Cup after finishing in the top two of the AFC third round qualifiers. Tottenham's Son Heung-min, Wolves' Hwang Hee-chan, Bayern Munich's Kim Min-jae and Paris Saint-Germain's Lee Kang-in all will be ready to star for South Korea in the upcoming World Cup.
Ali Olwan scored a hat-trick against Oman to take Jordan to their maiden FIFA World Cup
While South Korea sealed their spot at the FIFA World Cup with that 2-0 victory over Iraq, their win also ensured that Jordan will be playing at their first-ever FIFA World Cup next year.
Ali Olwan's hat-trick has given them a big 3-0 win over Oman, and after South Korea's win, they will now create history at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
In Group B of the AFC Third round qualifiers, Jordan lost only one match and finished in the top two of the group, below South Korea.
Socceroos confirmed their place at a sixth successive FIFA World Cup after beating Saudi Arabia by 2-1 in Saudi Arabia. Connor Metcalfe (42), Mitch Duke (48) scored for the Aussies to help them win after falling behind by a 19-minute goal from Abdulrahman Al-Aboud.
Australia have now confirmed the top spot in Group C in the AFC Third round qualifiers. Japan are leading Group C, which have already qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Brazil continued their run at the FIFA World Cup after ensuring qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026. They are the only team to qualify for every FIFA World Cup.
The Selecao defeated Paraguay by 1-0 as Vinicius Jr. handed a special gift to new Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti for his 66th birthday.
VINIIII JR.!!!!
TINHAA QUE SER ELE!! BELO PRESENTÃO DE ANIVERSÁRIO PARA O MISTER 🇧🇷🇧🇷
Paraguay became the 14th team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 after their 0-0 draw against Ecuador on 4 September. This will be their first FIFA World Cup qualification since 2010.
PARAGUAY 🇵🇾 ARE GOING TO THE FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 🏆
They will be playing the FIFA World Cup first time since 2010!
With their 3-0 win over Peru on September 4, Uruguay reached a fifth successive World Cup. Rodrigo Aguirre, Giorgian De Arrascaeta, and Federico Vinas scored the goals for the South American nation.
16. Colombia
With their 3-0 victory over Bolivia on September 4, Colombia qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 after missing out on the previous edition. James Rodriguez became the first Colombian player to score 30 international goals after Falcao (36).
Morocco became the first African nation to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 after their thumping 5-0 victory over Niger.
With 21 points from seven games, they have earned a place in the showpiece.
18. Tunisia
The Carthage Eagles qualified for their seventh FIFA World Cup as they sealed a narrow 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea. A stoppage-time winner from Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane helped the North African nation to top Group H of the African Qualifiers with 22 points after 8 matches.
East Bengal is one of Asia's biggest and most supported football clubs. In October 2020, the club was voted as the most popular football club in India on an AFC poll by its supporters.
The East Bengal Club was established on 1st August 1920 by Suresh Chandra Chaudhury along with some other dignitaries, and the club's first captain was Ramesh Chandra Sen.
The Kolkata-based club has created a lot of records and won so many trophies. The Football club was going through a tough phase as they hadn't won a major trophy since the 2013-14 season.
But, under the new Manager and coaching staff, the Red & Gold Brigade are playing good football. So, let's look at the trophies East Bengal has won in its footballing history.
East Bengal FC Trophies List
East Bengal played their first match in the 1920 Hercules Cup, which was a 7-a-side tournament that they won. They won their first-ever full tournament in 1921 and lifted the Khogendra Shield.
The Red and Gold brigade qualified for the Calcutta Football League 1st division in 1925. They won their first 1st title in 1942. Then the Kolkata-based club lifted their first IFA Shield in 1943. In 1945, East Bengal won their first double, claiming both the Calcutta Football League and the IFA Shield.
From 1949-51, East Bengal became the first team to make a hat-trick of wins in the IFA Shield. In 1972, East Bengal won the Calcutta Football League, IFA Shield, Durand Cup, and Rovers Cup in a single season, becoming the first team to do so.
In 1972, East Bengal also made a record of being the first and till date, only Indian team to win the Calcutta Football League without conceding a single goal, which they again repeated in 1991.
East Bengal won its first First Division league title in 1942 and has since won it a record 39 times. They have also won eightFederation Cups, three Super Cups, a record 29 IFA Shields, the Kuladakanta Shield, and MLA CUP, alongside 16 Durand Cup titles, making the club one of the most decorated in Indian football.
UEFA Women's EURO Past Winners and most successful teams
England beat Spain on penalties to clinch the Women’s EURO 2025 title. Let's have a look at the UEFA Women's EURO Past Winners and most successful teams.
The UEFA European Women's Championship, also called the UEFA Women's Euro, is the primary association football competition between the senior women’s national teams from Europe, held every four years.
England beat Spain on penalties to clinch the Women’s EURO 2025 title at St. Jakob Park in Basel, Switzerland. This is England’s second European title, following its win over Germany in the previous edition. Let's have a look at the UEFA Women's EURO past winners and most successful teams.
The first edition of the tournament was played in 1984 in a very different format, with no host nation and just four teams participating. England and Sweden met in the final, played over two legs on a home and away basis.
It ended 1-1 on aggregate, leading to a penalty shootout at Kenilworth Road in London. In true English fashion, the home side would miss twice, allowing Sweden to win 4-3 on penalties and win the first ever women's Euros.
2025 Women's Euros Winner
England successfully defended its Women’s European Championship title by beating world champion Spain in a shootout in the final in Basel, Switzerland.
It was back-to-back European trophies for England and yet another final that Kelly had a huge impact on, after also coming on as a substitute during the Euro 2022 trophy match and scoring the winner against Germany in extra time to clinch a 2-1 victory.
Germany are the most successful team in women's Euros history, having won eight tournaments, including six in a row between 1995-2013. Overall, five different countries have won the women's Euros, but Germany and Norway remain the only winners of more than one edition of the tournament.
The race to be top scorer at the Women's EURO 2025 in Switzerland is a fascinating one. The tournament has started from 2 July and will continue till 27 July.
Four weeks of women’s continental football culminate this weekend in Switzerland, where the reigning European champions and world champions respectively face off at Basel’s St. Jakob-Park.
England and Spain will face off each other in the Women’s EURO 2025 final on 27 July with Spain coming out on top to win the tournament in 2024.
The two nations met in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final just under two years ago, both contesting their maiden final in Australia. Olga Carmona’s first half strike settled the score to crown the Spaniards world champions in Sydney, on the same grounds that hosted the Olympic Games Sydney 2000.
Spain have shown that they can beat England when it matters on the big stage, while the Lionesses will be desperate to exact revenge. Wiegman’s side have won their last two EUROs encounters against their opponents, including in the quarter-finals en route to their 2022 title.
Spain forward Esther González tops the list of UEFA Women's EURO 2025 top goalscorer with 4 goals to her name. Esther registered twice in the world champions' opening 5-0 win against Portugal then struck again in their handsome 6-2 success over Belgium as well as in the ensuing 3-1 victory against Italy on Matchday 3.
The tournament player awards will be handed out at the end of the tournament, among them the golden boot for the top goalscorer of EURO 2025.
González has been on fire with four goals in five appearances, while Putellas trails on three goals but with four assists, more than any player at the tournament. If players are tied, the golden boot is awarded to the player with more assists.
Who is Olivia Smith? Arsenal are ready to pay the most expensive transfer fee for her
Arsenal FC Women are all set to pay the most expensive transfer fee in Women's football history to have the services of Olivia Smith, a 20-year-old Canadian forward from Liverpool.
UEFA Women's Champions League winners Arsenal are set to break all the past transfer fee records for 20-year-old Canadian forward from Liverpool, Olivia Smith. Smith is now on the verge of becoming the world's first women's player to break the £1m transfer fee record.
If the deal gets completed, Olivia Smith will break the record for the most expensive transfer fee in women's football history, beating the record of Naomi Girma, who was bought by Chelsea FC Women for £900,000.
Who is Olivia Smith?
Olivia Smith is a 20-year-old centre forward from Canada, born on August 5, 2004. Olivia started her football career in Ontario, Canada, playing youth soccer before joining college football in the United States at Penn State University.
Club career so far
Smith while playing for Liverpool FC Women in the 2024-25 season. Image | Liverpoolfc.com
To pursue her career in football, Smith left college early and joined Sporting CP in Portugal in 2023, where she played the first professional season of her career. After a sensational season with Sporting, where she netted 13 goals and produced nine assists in 18 league games.
Smith went on to win the Best Young Player and Revelation Player as Sporting finished second in the league, behind Benfica.
Her extraordinary skill as a teenager caught the eyes of Liverpool, and she was signed by the Reds in July 2024. In her first season in the Women's Super League, Smith scored 7 goals in 20 appearances. In the whole season for the Reds, she scored 9 times and provided an assist in 25 games.
Smith was even nominated for the WSL Player of the Year 2025 award. She was named the LFC Women's Player of the Season 2024/25.
Smith debuted for Canada at just 15 years and 94 days old, becoming her country's youngest player ever in 2019. She also played in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.
Till now, she has appeared 18 times for Canada, scoring 3 goals.
Why are Arsenal willing to pay the most expensive transfer fee for Olivia Smith?
Well, the truth is that Olivia Smith might find it hard to find a place in the playing XI for Arsenal FC Women. The UEFA Women's Champions League winners have Mariona Caldentey, Beth Mead, Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly in the team, and this will make it very hard for Olivia to start in every game.
So, why are they willing to pay such a high amount for her?
Just like all the men's football teams in the world are thinking, the women's teams are also thinking the same. With Olivia Smith, Arsenal are thinking long-term goals, and that is why they are willing to pay big bucks for the Canadian.
"I don't necessarily know how easily she walks into that Arsenal team, obviously they won the Champions League last season, which makes them extremely lucrative, but they've got a great attacking threat already," Rachel Corsie, former Scotland captain, told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"It will be a challenge for her, but probably an addition for Arsenal that they'll expect is maybe one of those signings who could be at the club for a number of years," she added.
Follow Us
/sportzpoint/media/post_attachments/7d44c26a23497fa1c439584e50166b34e98c75d213098043c6b3353a142be5f7.jpg)
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)