Samoa is set to make history this October as the Pacific Island nation competes in its first-ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™, following the official draw held in Rabat, Morocco.
After finishing as runners-up to New Zealand at last year’s OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, Samoa has been placed in Group D, where they will face powerhouse teams Canada, France, and Nigeria—an exciting and formidable challenge for the debutants.
New Zealand, who topped the OFC Championship, has been drawn in Group F, alongside Japan, Paraguay, and Zambia.
The draw, held at the Mohammed VI Football Academy, revealed the group-stage matchups for the 24 teams that will compete in the tournament from October 17 to November 8 in Morocco. This year’s edition marks a significant milestone in the history of women’s football, with the tournament expanding to include 24 teams, up from the previous 16. It will also be the first-ever FIFA women’s tournament hosted on African soil.
FIFA’s Chief Women’s Football Officer, Sarai Bareman, who has strong Samoan roots and captained the Samoa national women’s team, took part in the draw ceremony, adding a personal touch to the occasion.
Samoa’s qualification for the tournament was secured through a memorable performance at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship in Tahiti. Their historic achievement now presents an incredible opportunity for the young squad to represent their country, their region, and their culture on the global stage.
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