Canada will be eager to show that their Olympic gold medal in 2021 was no fluke as they begin their 2023 Women’s World Cup campaign with a Group B match against Nigeria in Melbourne on Thursday (Friday in Australia).
But the 11-time African champions, who have been to every World Cup, are no pushovers, especially with Barcelona superstar forward Asisat Oshoala. Despite finishing in fourth-place finish at the recent African championship (WAFCON), the Super Falcons earned a 2-2 draw the last time they faced Canada in April 2022.
The Canadians have regularly fallen below expectations at World Cup tournaments and will be aiming to buck that trend in 2023 in what could be legend Christine Sinclair’s final World Cup. But only the top two teams can advance out of Group B with hosts Australia and a hard-nosed Republic of Ireland side also contending for a spot in the knockouts.
The Sporting News will be following the Canada vs. Nigeria match live and providing live updates, commentary, and highlights as they happen.
MORE: Updated Group B standings and schedule
Canada vs Nigeria live score
| 1st Half | Goal scorers | |
| Canada | — | |
| Nigeria | — |
Lineups:
Canada (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1-Sheridan (GK) — 8-Riviere, 14-Gilles, 3-Buchanan, 10-Lawrence — 5-Quinn, 7-Grosso — 6-Rose, 12-Sinclair, 19-Leon — 9-Huitema.
Nigeria (4-2-3-1, right to left): Nnadozie (GK) — Alozie, Ohale, Demehin, Plumptre — Ordega, Uchiebe — Payne, Oshoala, Abiodun — Onumonu.
Canada vs Nigeria live updates, highlights and commentary from Women’s World Cup
25 minutes from kickoff: In case you didn’t think this Canada team had a chip on its shoulder heading into this match, this is all you need to know coming from the captain Christine Sinclair.
Christine Sinclair on Canada entering #FifaWWC as OLY gold medalists:
“Its got a nice ring to it…but it doesnt change a thing. Around the World we’re still overlooked which is fine by us. We were overlooked going into Tokyo & we showed the world what we’re capable of. It’s… pic.twitter.com/2jynJ2pXlZ
— Claire Hanna (@clahanna) July 20, 2023
40 minutes from kickoff: Canada are on the field for warmups. Kickoff is not far away.
The Olympic champions take the field to the Black Eyed Peas’ “Let’s Get it Started.” #canWNT #FIFWWC pic.twitter.com/SkKYiaxHhK
— Neil Davidson (@NeilMDavidson) July 21, 2023
1 hour from kickoff: Here’s the Canada lineup. And the concerns for Jessie Fleming’s help were founded. It’ll be Quinn, Julia Grosso, and Christine Sinclair operating in midfield, with Sinclair likely as the more attack-minded of the trio.
Your @CANWNT Starting XI for our opening #FIFAWWC match vs. Nigeria 🇨🇦🏆#WeCAN pic.twitter.com/pKJHCvGLjk
— CAN Soccer’s WNT (@CANWNT) July 21, 2023
1 hours, 30 mins. from kickoff: Here’s a look at the stadium in Melbourne where Canada vs. Nigeria is taking place. It’s called Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, but it’s also known for its sponsor name AAMI Park.
Canada takes on Nigeria in less than 24 hours to open up their #FifaWWC campaign…& here’s a little sneak peak at the stadium where all the action is going to go down for #CanWNT
Tune into @TSN_Sports at 9pm EST on Thursday ⚽️🇨🇦 #Can pic.twitter.com/ktylkWYusQ
— Claire Hanna (@clahanna) July 20, 2023
2 hours from kickoff: Here’s a breakdown of the Nigeria team and the threat they will be pose coming from someone who is picking them to get out of Group B:
“I think they’re advancing out of this group.”
Nigeria is @jordangeli’s dark horse of the tournament. Do you think they can pull off an upset today vs. Canada? 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/G2rhkH0wai
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) July 20, 2023
Canada vs Nigeria lineups
Canada are already without two starters in Janine Beckie, who tore her ACL in March, and veteran Desiree Scott (knee injury), along with up-and-comer Jade Rose, as all three missed out on the final roster due to injury.
And in the lead-up to this match there was concern around key contributors Jessie Fleming, Deanne Rose, and Nichelle Prince, with manager Bev Priestman admitting all three are on a different training regimen because of recent injury issues. Only Rose makes the starting lineup with Fleming an important absence. Prince can still potentially come off the bench and offer a spark.
Canada starting lineup (4-2-3-1): 1-Sheridan (GK) — 8-Riviere, 14-Gilles, 3-Buchanan, 10-Lawrence — 5-Quinn, 7-Grosso — 6-Rose, 12-Sinclair, 19-Leon — 9-Huitema.
Canada subs (12): D’Angelo (GK), Proulx (GK), Zadorsky, Chapman, Carle, Schmidt, Fleming, Awujo, Lacasse, Prince, Smith, Viens
According to reports from Nigerian outlets, the Super Falcons will be missing two important players for the match in midfielders Rasheedat Ajibade and Halimat Ayinde after their red card suspension from the Women’s AFCON tournament was deemed to carry over into this World Cup.
Nigeria starting lineup (4-2-3-1): 16-Nnadozie (GK) — 22-Alozie, 3-Ohale, 14-Demehin, 2-Plumptre — 10-Uchiebe, 17-Ordega — 13-Abiodun, 8-Oshoala, 7-Payne — 6-Onumonu.
MORE: Nigeria squad for 2023 FIFA World Cup
Canada vs Nigeria live stream, TV channel
Here are the details for the live stream and TV channel to watch Canada vs. Nigeria in the 2023 FIFA World Cup for fans based in the USA and Canada:
USA
- TV channel: Fox, Universo
- Streaming: Fubo, Fox Sports site/app, Peacock (Spanish),
The match will be televised on Fox network channel in English and Universo in Spanish, with both channels streaming on Fubo, available to new users on a free trial.
Subscribers to cable, satellite, or telco packages can use those authenticated credentials to access a live stream on the Fox Sports site or app, and Universo NOW. A Spanish-language stream will also be available to subscribers of Peacock.
Canada
- TV Channel: TSN1/4, CTV, RDS (French)
- Live Stream: TSN+, CTV site/app, RDS site/app
TSN, CTV and RDS are all carrying coverage of the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Canada.
The Canada vs Nigeria match will be available to watch on TSN1 and TSN4, as well as CTV (TSN5 will also join the match in progress at 11:30 p.m. ET.). RDS will carry a French-language broadcast.
Every Canada match also features a one-hour pregame show.
For those looking to stream the action, TSN+, and the site and app for TSN, CTV, and RDS will carry all the action. The TSN site and app will also offer play-by-play in every language of every team in the competition.
