England vs Nigeria will be an exciting contest as both the teams are desperate to reach the quarterfinal stage. England won all the games they've played in this World cup and Nigeria have sneaked out of their group with one win and two draws. Both the teams are yet to experience defeat in this tournament and in the end of this match one of them would experience jubilation. Sp here's the preview of the match to provide you with necessary in order to prepare you for the match.

Read also : England v Nigeria – FIFA Women's World Cup key battles in the last 16 match

England vs Nigeria

Match Details

Date : 7 August 2023

Venue : Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane, Australia

Time : GMT - 5:30 pm and IST - 1:00 pm

Live Streaming : Fancode and DD sports

Match preview

England will start the game as favourites to win after acquiring all nine points in threethree group stage matches at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023. The Lionesses won their opening encounter and the one after that against Haiti and Denmark respectively by a scoreline of 1-0. In their last group stage game they thrashed China 6-1 and advanced into the Quarterfinals of the FIFA Women's World Cup.

The English Women are unbeaten since the appointment of Head Coach Sarina Weigman, they will look to further their conquest for a first ever FIFA Women's World Cup trophy and add it to the trophy cabinet beside the 2022 European Women's Championship title last year.

On the other hand, Nigeria drew their opening game of the FIFA Women's World Cup against Canada and then went on to do the unexpected. They defeated Australia in front of their home crowd 3-2. In their penultimate match of the group stage they played Republic of Ireland and the match ended in a draw.

After enjoying a successful group phase, the Super Falcons will now be looking to claim their first-ever victory in the knockout rounds of the Women's World Cup. Having gone five games without defeat, Nigeria will certainly believe that they have the capability to trouble the European champions and create another piece of history.

"Why not play England? We played the Olympic gold medallists . We played Australia, the host nation , so bring on the European champions. Why not? It seems like it is fitting. We'll come up with a plan. Don't count us out against England. We'll be prepared." Randy Waldrum, Nigeria coach

Team news

England's main concern revolves around the fitness of midfielder Keira Walsh, who suffered a knee injury against Denmark and sat out the win over China. Walsh has been following an individual rehabilitation programme in her bid to be fit for the knockout phase.

Katie Zelem impressed in midfield in replacing Walsh against China, while Wiegman also switched England's formation to devastating effect, with Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly playing in wing-back roles. Wiegman must decide whether to retain that system and line-up against Nigeria.

Asisat Oshoala appeared to alleviate any injury concerns by starting against the Republic of Ireland and she should retain her place as the focal point of the Super Falcons' attack.

Midfielder Deborah Abiodun remains suspended following the red card she received in the opening game of the tournament against Canada.

England vs Nigeria Possible Lineups

England Women possible starting lineup:
Earps; Carter, Bright, Greenwood; Bronze, Zelem, Stanway, Daly; James; Russo, Hemp

Nigeria Women possible starting lineup:
Nnadozie; Alozie, Ohale, Demehin, Plumptre; Ucheibe, Ayinde; Ajibade, Payne, Kanu; Oshoala

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

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.

Read Also | Who is Tobin Heath? Two-time World Cup champion retires from football

International career

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.

Read Also | Best 10 Women's Footballers in the World Right Now

Most expensive transfers in women's football history

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. 

The UEFA Euros is back in July, with 16 countries participating in the new extended format of the competition. So before the start of the tournament, let's have a look at the UEFA Women's EURO Past Winners and most successful teams.

Also Read: Who is Tobin Heath? Two-time World Cup champion retires from football

UEFA Women's EURO | First Edition Winner

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.

2022 Women's Euros Winner

The 2022 women's Euros was the biggest in history in terms of crowd numbers and support, and in fitting fashion, the final was one of the most dramatic ever. In front of a record crowd for a women's European football match at Wembley, England's Lionesses came up against rivals Germany.

The game came to life in the second half when Ella Toone scored a wonderful opener just after the hour mark, before Germany equalised through Lina Magull in the 79th minute. The game went into extra time, and with 10 minutes left Chloe Kelly scored to put the Lionesses in front, taking off her shirt in a now iconic celebration.

The Lionesses held on to win the women's Euros for the first time ever and sent the country into party mode.

UEFA Women's EURO | Past Winners

Also Read: How can Indian Women's Football team qualify for the 2027 FIFA World Cup?

UEFA Women's EURO | Most Successful Teams

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.

• Germany: 8 (1989, 1991, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2013)
• Norway: 2 (1987, 1993)
• Sweden: 1 (1984)
• Netherlands: 1 (2017)
• England: 1 (2022)

A two-time FIFA Women's World Cup winner and a triple Olympic medalist, Tobin Heath, announced her retirement from professional football after battling through a knee injury since 2022. A knee injury that took place in 2022 forced her to end her career.

Read Also | Best 10 Women's Footballers in the World Right Now

Heath's international career

The US Women's National Team legend played 131 games for her country and went on to win two FIFA Women's World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019. Along with that, she also won the Gold medal in 2008 and 2012. For the USA, she scored 36 goals and assisted 42 times in her career. 

Tobin Heath's stunning goal in the 2015 FIFA World Cup final against Japan secured the USA a 5-0 win and their return to the top of the world after 1999. 

With Tobin Heath announcing her retirement from soccer, we take you back to her goal in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Final vs Japan 👏🇺🇸@USWNT pic.twitter.com/5tOl72pZ2A

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2025

With the USWNT, she also finished as a FIFA World Cup runner-up in 2011, along with her final medal for USWNT, which was a Bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics in 2022. She was named the U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year in 2016.

Read Also | How can Indian Women's Football team qualify for the 2027 FIFA World Cup?

Club career

The 37-year-old midfielder was known for her dribbling skills and visionary passes while playing for the country and the club. In her club career, she played for 9 clubs, including clubs like PSG, Manchester United and Arsenal. 

However, she was most successful with Portland Thorns, where in two spells she played 79 games, scored 15 goals and assisted 24 times while winning two NSWL Championships - one in 2015 and another in 2017.

Besides that, she was runner-up in Division 1 Féminine with PSG in 2013 and 2014, Women's Super League with Arsenal in 2022 and NSWL with Portland Thorns in 2018. 

Read Also | 10 Indian Women Who Made Olympic History

The knee injury, which ended her career

Tobin Heath's football career was cut short due to injuries. She suffered a knee injury while playing for OL Reign in 2022. The injury was first told to be a minor one, but later turned out to be the one which ended her career. 

The injury needed two major surgeries and two years long rehabilitation, but still, Heath could not be fit to play football again. In frustration, she had to cut her football career.

"I tried f---ing everything to get back, I spent tens of thousands of dollars and [had] two surgeries, one crazy surgery. And the whole time I believed I was going to get back," Heath stated on her podcast with partner Christen Press. 

After three years of "accepting" that she would never play football again, Heath's 17-year-long career came to an end. 

The ultimate dream for any footballing nation is to compete on the biggest stage like the World Cup, and for Indian women's football team, the dream feels closer now.

On July 5, 2025, India secured AFC Women's Asian Cup qualification with a 2-1 victory over Thailand. The sensational midfielder from Bengal, Sangita Basfore scored both the goals to seal this historic win for the nation!

This crucial win, added to their strong performances againsy Mongolia, Timor-Leste, and Iraq, marked their return to the Asian Cup after 22 years. This success has now fueled the high hopes and big dream of reaching the FIFA Women's World Cup.

Now the question is: How can Indian Women's Football team qualify for the 2027 FIFA World Cup? Let's explore the details below.

Read Also: Best 10 Women's Footballers in the World Right Now

Why does AFC Asian Cup qualification matter?

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is the regional body for football in Asia, operating under FIFA. Crucially, the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 isn't just a continental championship; it's Asia's direct qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.

For 2027, Asia gets six direct World Cup spots and two additional play-off chances. This means performing well in this tournament is absolutely vital for India's World Cup dreams.

They will have to fight for the World Cup spot against 11 nations (7 other qualifying nations from 2025, the host Australia, and the top 3 teams from the previous 2022 edition).

Teams qualified alongside India in 2025 Asian Cup qualifiers:

1. Bangladesh
2. Phillipines
3. Vietnam
4. Chinese Taipei
5. North Korea
6. Uzbekistan
7. TBD

The Top 3 teams of 2022 edition:

1. China (Champions)
2. South Korea (Runners-up)
3. Japan (Third place)

Read Also: Best Indian Football Stadiums – Ranked by Capacity

India's qualification roadmap for the 2027 FIFA World Cup

To reach the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, India's performance at the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 is everything.

Here's how they can make it possible:

• Reach the semi-finals: This is the clearest path for qualification as all four semi-finalists in the Asian Cup will automatically be eligible to qualify for WC.
• In case they don't reach semi-finals: If India reaches the quarter-finals but loses, there's still a chance. The losing teams will play additional matches against each other for the remaining two direct World Cup spots and the two play-off berths.

In short, India must aim to be among the top six teams in the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 to have a direct shot at the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Football knows no gender, and the talented women are proving that with their breathtaking gameplay. The world of women's football is setting new standards which has made it difficult to pick the best ones.

Based on the current landscape of the sport, check out the best 10 women's footballers in the world right now.

10. Lauren James 

• National Team: England
• Club: Chelsea
• Position: Forward
• Goals: 65

Lauren James is an English footballer who plays as a forward for Chelsea in the WSL. She has won the PFA Women's Young Player of the Year award in 2022-23 for her exceptional skills at a young age.

She previously played for Arsenal and Manchester United and switched to Chelsea in 2021. She has scored a total of 58 goals in 155 appearances across all clubs.

Lauren plays a major role in the England women's team, having 7 international goals in 27 appearances for England.

Read Also | Chelsea Women sign Naomi Girma for a world-record transfer fee

9. Klara Bühl

• National Team: Germany
• Club: Bayern Munich
• Position: Forward 
• Goals: 92

Klara Bühl is a professional german player who plays as left winger or forward. She is 17 year old and is considered as one of the best young wingers in Europe.

She was a part of SC Freiburg for four years before joining FC Bayern Munich in 2020. Klara has scored 65 goals in 230 appearances for clubs, and 27 international goals in 65 appearances for Germany.

Read Also: 10 Best Women's Football Players and Leagues You Must Watch in 2025

8. Salma Paralluelo

• National Team: Spain
• Club: FC Barcelona
• Position: Forward
• Goals: 99

The Spanish left winger, Salma Paralluelo, is a born champion, with all three 3 World Cups to her name. She started her career as a sprinter and holds several records in the categories of under 16 and 18.

Salma won the FIFA Women's World Cup with the Spanish senior team in 2023, the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2020, and FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2018. She also won the U-17 UEFA U-17 Women's Championship in 2018.

Salma has scored 85 goals in 125 club appearances and 14 goals in 35 appearances for Spain.

Read Also | Sarina Wiegman dedicates Uefa Women's Coach of the Year award to Spain players

7. Linda Caicedo

• National Team: Colombia
• Club: Real Madrid 
• Position: Forward
• Goals: 46

Linda Caicedo is a Colombian footballer who has reached commendable milestones at a young age of 20. She plays as a forward for Real Madrid, and has been associated with football legends like Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham, Trinity Rodman for commercial ad campaigns.

She played for América Cali and Deportivo Cali before joining Real Madrid, and scored a total of 33 goals in 92 appearances across all of them.

Linda has scored 13 goals to her name in 42 appearances for Colombia.

#FU17WWC Bronze Boot🥾 & Silver Ball ⚽ winner Linda Caicedo makes her senior #FIFAWWC debut 🫡

How many goals will the Colombian star score in the #FIFAWomensWorldCup?#SeleccionFemenina#SelecciónColombiaFemenina#CopaMundialFemenino #COLKOR pic.twitter.com/CLsz1MnaPY

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) July 25, 2023

6. Alessia Russo

• National Team: England
• Club: Arsenal
• Position: Forward
• Goals: 87

Alessia Russo is a professional footballer who plays for England and the WSL club Arsenal as a forward. She has exceptional records, including being awarded the player of the month and goal of the month for Arsenal.

Alessia is known for her aggressive gameplay and match-winning abilities. She played for other clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United before, and was also the top scorer twice.

Her club goals count to 66 in 138 appearances across all clubs and 21 in 49 appearances for England.

Read Also: Football Facts: Top 10 Players With Most Goal Contributions In A Season Since 2000

5. Khadija Shaw

• National Team: Jamaica
• Club: Manchester City 
• Position: Forward
• Goals: 182

The all-time top scorer, Khadija Shaw, is one of the world's best strikers from Jamaica, who also plays as a forward for Manchester City.

Khadija holds the record for the most hat-tricks in the history of the Women's Super League. She scored 125 goals in her 144 club appearances and 57 goals in 44 appearances for Jamaica!

She was named The Guardian Footballer of the Year in 2018 as a tribute to her legendary contributions in football.

4. Alexia Putellas

• National Team: Spain
• Club: FC Barcelona 
• Position: Midfielder
• Goals: 260

Alexis Putellas is a Spanish midfielder or forward who currently plays for Barcelona. She is the captain of Barcelona and has won all the individual European football awards.

Alexis is widely appreciated for her style of play and aura. She has previously played for Espanyol and Levante, having a total of 226 goals in 515 appearances across all clubs. 

She scored 34 goals for the Spanish National Team in 130 appearances. Alexis also won Ballon d'Or Féminin for two consecutive years in 2021 and 2022.

3. Caroline Graham Hansen

• National Team: Norway 
• Club: FC Barcelona 
• Position: Winger
• Goals: 225

Caroline Graham Hansen is a Norwegian footballer who is one of the best wingers in the world. She plays for Barcelona and has won prestigious awards like Statoil Talent Award of the Year and others.

Hansen has exceptional dribbling and passing skills, which never fail to amaze the fans. She played for other clubs like Stabæk and Wolfsburg and scored 180 goals in all 404 appearances.

Her goals count to 45 in 95 international caps for Norway.

Read Also: Players with the Most Hat-tricks in International football (Male and Female)

2. Sophia Smith

• National Team: USA
• Club: Portland Thorns
• Position: Forward 
• Goals: 74

Sophia Smith is an American footballer who plays as a forward for the team. She plays for the NWSL club Portland Thorns and was named the most valuable player for them, along with the Golden Boot, in 2022.

Sophia scored 3 goals in the Paris Olympics 2024 for the US National Team. She earned her national team cap in 2020 and became the youngest player to debut for the US Women's National Team.

She scored 50 goals in 95 appearances for Portland Thorns FC and 24 goals in 58 appearances for the USA. 

Her contributions in the world of football makes her way to the list of best 10 women's footballers in the world right now.

Sophia Smith scores in her #FIFAWWC debut!

📰 LIVE Blog #USAVIE : https://t.co/5a8pYXuIsb#FIFAWomensWorldCup #USA #USWNT pic.twitter.com/8ySA5VkuZp

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) July 22, 2023

1. Aitana Bonmatí 

• National Team: Spain
• Club: FC Barcelona 
• Position: Midfielder
• Goals: 134

Aitana Bonmatí is a Spanish footballer who plays as a midfielder for FC Barcelona. She is one of the greatest of all time in football history. Her elegant style of play is a treat to the eyes. 

The Spanish National team captain won the Ballon d'Or Féminin, Laureus World Sports Award, and Golden Player Woman Award for her incredible 2023 season for Spain and Barcelona. She is the first women's player to win The Best, Ballon d'Or, UEFA Player of the Year and World Cup Golden Ball in the same year

Bonmati was the Player of the tournament in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 as Spain lifted their maiden Women's World Cup title. 

She scored 104 goals in 289 appearances for Barcelona and 30 international goals for Spain.

📸 2023 Ballon d’Or winners - Lionel Messi & Aitana Bonmati

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.#ballondor #ballondor2023 #messi #lionelmessi #aitanabonmati #intermiami #fcbarcelona #barcelonafemenino pic.twitter.com/MfEPHpiAEs

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) October 31, 2023

Honorary Mention: Mary Earps

The legendary English goalkeeper, Mary Earps, is a name honorary mention for this list. She plays for PSG and is considered to have the safest pair of hands when it comes to football. Earps' legendary performance in the UEFA Euro 2022 will always be remembered in the history of English football, as they lifted the European Championship. 

Earps played for a total of 11 clubs, including Manchester United and became the first goalkeeper to reach 50 clean sheets in the WSL. 

Earps received the Golden Glove Award for her record-breaking 14 clean sheets in 2024 for Manchester United. She is a two-time FIFA Best and Golden Glove winner. 

Her iconic contributions deserves a special place in the list of best 10 women's footballers in the world right now.