New Zealand Women's World Cup draw scenarios 2023: Best and worst possible groups for Football Ferns

New Zealand will be thrust on to football's world stage as the nation co-hosts the 2023 Women's World Cup alongside Australia.

The Football Ferns have qualified for the past four World Cups - five in total - and have never won a match or got out of the group.

With home ground advantage, New Zealand will be hoping to get their first World Cup victory before aiming for progression to the knockouts.

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

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

As co-hosts of the tournament, New Zealand are automatically placed in Pot 1 alongside Australia and the other top-ranked nations in the tournament.

The Kiwis cannot play against any other nations in Pot 1 in the group place and fellow OFC nation Papua New Guinea - if they qualify via February's playoff.

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

South Korea, Jamaica and Zambia are the lowest-ranked nations eligible to be drawn alongside New Zealand in their respective pots. 

The Football Ferns defeated South Korea 2-0 the last time they met in a 2021 friendly, while they have never played against Jamaica or Zambia.

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 New Zealand at Women's World Cup 2023

While the Football Ferns will avoid neighbours and co-hosts Australia and giants such as the US, Germany and England because of their Pot 1 status, tough opponents lurk throughout the draw.

Olympic champions Canada are a possible match-up from Pot 2, with the North American nation having never lost to New Zealand previously, winning seven and drawing two.

Despite being in Pot 3, Denmark are ranked four spots higher than the Football Ferns and represent a potential banana skin opponent.

Africa's Nigeria are the highest-ranked nation in Pot 4.

Nations New Zealand will want to avoid in the Women's World Cup draw

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

*Competing in the Women's World Cup playoffs