Canada's first taste of the 2023 Women's World Cup is set for the second day of play, as the country takes on Nigeria in Group B action.
The team enters the 2023 Women's World Cup ranked No. 7 in the world by FIFA. Canada and Nigeria (No. 40) are joined by Australia (No. 10) and the Republic of Ireland (No. 22) in their group.
After winning the gold medal at the 2021 Olympic, there are now expectations that Canada can make a deep run and potentially challenge for another world title.
The first step will be getting out of a tough group since Australia and the Republic of Ireland have shown to be strong enough to earn a result against the Canadians. That makes the match against Nigeria a must-win.
MORE: Complete 2023 Women's World Cup match schedule with kick times & updated results
What time does Canada vs Nigeria kick off?
This Women's World Cup match from Melbourne Rectangular Stadium kicks off locally in Melbourne, Australia on Friday, July 21 at 12:30 p.m. local time in Melbourne, Australia.
However, given the 14-hour time difference, it will still be Thursday night in Canada. Here's how the kickoff time translates across Canada:
| Time Zone | Kickoff time |
| Atlantic | 11:30 p.m. AT |
| Eastern | 10:30 p.m. ET |
| Central | 9:30 p.m. CT |
| Mountain | 8:30 p.m. MT |
| Pacific | 8:30 p.m. PT |
MORE: Canada's complete schedule at the 2023 Women's World Cup
Canada vs Nigeria TV channel, live stream
- TV Channel: TSN1/4, CTV, RDS
- Live Stream: TSN+, TSN site/app, CTV site/app, RDS site/app
TSN, CTV and RDS are carrying all the 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 on CTV. RDS will have French-language coverage.
For those looking to stream the action, all three rightsholders will have the matches available to watch on their respective sites and apps.
MORE: Updated Group B standings
Canada vs Nigeria lineups, team news
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
As indicated by reports from Nigerian outlets in the lead-up, the Super Falcons are 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
