Matildas Women's World Cup draw scenarios 2023: Best and worst possible groups for Australia

The 2023 Women's World Cup will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand with the Matildas hoping to be genuine contenders for the title. 

Australia have often fallen short of expectations at Women's World Cups and have never made it past the quarter-finals. 

In 2019, the Matildas were knocked out in the round of 16 after losing to Norway on penalties. 

On home soil, Australia will be hoping to go much further at the 2023 Women's World Cup and will soon find out their group-stage opponents. 

MORE: When is the Women's World Cup draw? | Which teams have qualified for the Women's World Cup?

Best possible group draw for Australia at Women's World Cup 2023

As co-hosts, the Matildas have been automatically placed in Pot 1 for the Women's World Cup draw which ensures they avoid facing any of the highest-ranked teams at the tournament. 

Australia also cannot be drawn against a fellow Asian team in the group stage based on FIFA rules so will avoid the likes of Japan and China. 

Based on the latest FIFA rankings, this would be the best group-stage draw for the Matildas:

Italy, Jamaica and Zambia are the lowest-ranked nations eligible to be drawn alongside Australia in their respective pots. 

The Matildas were drawn in the same group as both Italy and Jamaica for the 2019 Women's World Cup with Australia losing 2-1 against Italy but beating Jamaica 4-1. 

Zambia, meanwhile, are currently the lowest-ranked side set to compete at the 2023 Women's World Cup and have never previously appeared at the tournament.  

Worst possible group draw for Australia at Women's World Cup 2023

While the Matildas will avoid reigning champions the United States because they're in Pot 1, another North American giant does loom in Pot 2. 

Canada beat Australia twice on their own soil in 2022 and took out gold at the most recent Olympic Games, so they loom as the toughest opponent in Pot 2. 

Denmark and Nigeria would then be the toughest possible opponents from the other pots based on current FIFA rankings. 

The Matildas did recently beat Denmark 3-1, while Nigeria failed to defend their Africa Women Cup of Nations crown in 2022 having won the previous three tournaments. 

Teams Australia will want to avoid in the Women's World Cup draw

Based on draw regulations, rankings and past results, these are main nations the Matildas will be hoping to avoid getting drawn against. 

*Competing in the Women's World Cup playoffs