The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 continues on Thursday (on FOX and the FOX Sports App) with Nigeria taking on Group B favorites and reigning Olympic champions Canada at Melbourne’s Rectangular Stadium in Australia, as both teams aim to start their tournament journey on the right foot.

Both countries reached the round of 16 of the 2019 World Cup before suffering shutout losses.

Heading into Thursday’s game, the Canadiens are 1-0-3 in their last four games against 2023 World Cup teams, while the Super Falcons are 0-1-7 in their last eight against such opponents.

Canada is captained by power forward Christine Sinclair, 40, who has a record 190 goals and more than 300 caps in her 22-year career. Nigeria is led by star defender Onome Ebi, also 40. Both are playing in the World Cup for the sixth time.

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Nigeria vs. Canada

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setting the stage

The “World Cup Now” team previewed the match live on Twitter before kick-off.

Canada’s roster in this tournament has 39.1% of its members (nine players) coming from the National Women’s Soccer League; no one on the list plays domestically in Canada.

Comparatively, Nigeria has no players in the NWSL. That said, Nigeria boasts star striker Asisat Oshoala, who was the joint top scorer in Spain’s F League last season.

Check the complete schedule of the Women’s World Cup and how to watch each match live here. Find the latest sheet music here.

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FIFA Women’s World Cup

Nigeria

Canada