What a favourable draw means for Canada at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

Luck appears to have been on the side of Canada's women's team during Saturday's draw in Auckland for the 2023 FIFA World Cup. 

The seventh-ranked Canadians were in Pot 2 and avoided five of the top ranked teams in the world who were in Pot 1. As a result, Canada ended up receiving a favourable outcome as it was drawn into Group B alongside World Cup co-host Australia (No. 13), Ireland (No. 24) and Nigeria (No. 45) for next summer's tournament.

Australia was the second-lowest-ranked team Canada could have been pooled with out of Pot 1. Only co-host New Zealand (No. 22) had a lower ranking in the pot. In drawing Australia, Canada avoided tournament favourites Sweden (No. 2), Germany (No. 3), England (No. 4), France (No. 5) and Spain (No. 6).

Despite the advantageous draw, Canadian coach Bev Priestman played it cool when speaking to reporters afterwards, saying "It could be worse, it could be better."

"Overall, there aren't really any easy games. Even the likes of Ireland, Vera Pauw is a very experienced coach, they recently drew with Sweden… and they'll be out to prove in their opening game they belong at this World Cup," Priestman said.

"I'm excited more than anything, especially to get a [host] nation, I think that's going to bring an incredible atmosphere." 

Notwithstanding Priestman downplaying Canada's favourable draw, the reigning Olympic champions have to be considered the strong favourites to win Group B. The top two nations in each of the eight groups move on to the knockout round of the World Cup, which has been expanded from 24 to 32 teams.

The Canadians lead the all-time series against Australia with eight wins and three draws in 18 games since their first meeting on Dec. 12, 1997. Canada has lost just two of