Canada's coach Bev Priestman gestures to her players during a friendly soccer international between Canada and Australia in Sydney, Australia, Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Rick Rycroft
The eighth-ranked Canadian women will open play next year at the SheBelieves Cup in February when they face the top-ranked U.S., No. 7 Brazil and No. 10 Japan in the annual four-nations tournament.
Canada is gearing up for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which starts in July in Australia and New Zealand.
“We are excited to be participating in what we know is a great tournament with large crowds, fantastic Tier 1 opposition and travel, all things that can replicate the feeling and experiences of a FIFA Women’s World Cup,” Canada coach Bev Priestman said in a statement Friday,
Canada will open against the U.S. on Feb. 16 in Orlando, Fla., before facing Brazil on Feb. 19 in Nashville and Japan on Feb. 22 in Frisco, Texas.
“To have such a good test to start the year at the SheBelieves Cup will be critical for us and it will give us a chance to test the roster in a tournament setting,” said Priestman. “We know what all three opponents can do on their day, so this is an exciting challenge and opportunity for us.”
The Canadian women also took part in the tournament in February 2021 with Priestman making her debut at the helm. Canada lost 1-0 to the U.S., beat Argentina 1-0 and lost 2-0 to Brazil.
There are limited playing opportunities before the World Cup with a two-match window in April and two-match window in June.
Olympic champion Canada has been drawn with No. 9 Australia, No. 33 Ireland and No. 38 Nigeria at the World Cup.
Canada skipped the 2022 SheBelieves Cup, opting instead to play in England at the Arnold Clark Cup.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 9, 2022
