PREVIEW – Canada v New Zealand will be the official opener of the 2024 Paris Olympics. These teams have some history with each other, with the most notable ones being the 2015 and the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Note: Wins or losses in extra-time and/or penalties will count as draws when applicable for both teams below.
Canada v New Zealand: The Women’s Soccer Olympic Opener
CANWNT (1-4-0)
The CANWNT are in much better shape than they were after heading into the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. While they will not blow teams, they will make the game close and can also compete with the other big nations around the world. Yes, Canada do not have that many wins in 2024. However, it is also true that they have not lost a game in regulation time as their two losses in the SheBelieves Cup and the Concacaf W Gold Cup against the U.S. came in penalties.
After the draw against Mexico, Beverly Priestman, head coach of the CANWNT, said the players made the job of her creating the roster very difficult in a positive way (Source: Neil Davidson of The Canadian Press):
After the draw against Mexico, Beverly Priestman, head coach of the CANWNT, said the players made the job of her creating the roster very difficult in a positive way (Source: Neil Davidson of The Canadian Press):
Looking at the CanWNT roster, it will be interesting to see how Cloé Lacasse does in her first-ever Olympics. She has been one of their best players and can definitely make a difference on and off-the-pitch. This will also be the first Olympics where Jessie Fleming will be captain as both Christine Sinclair and Sophie Schmidt are now both retired. Fleming, along with Vanessa Gilles among others, played a vital role in Canada winning the Summer Olympics in Tokyo 2020.
READ MORE: The CanWNT Clinches Olympic Berth At BMO Field
Canada finished second in the 2022 Concacaf W Gold Cup. This allowed Canada to participate in the two-legged Concacaf play-off against Jamaica or the Reggae Girlz, who finished third in the 2022 Concacaf W Gold Cup. The CANWNT won both legs and qualified for their fifth straight Olympic games appearance.
Also, Gabrielle Carle replaced Sydney Collins due to an injury as seen in the photo above.
New Zealand (1-2-2)
Nicknamed the Football Ferns, New Zealand will also be making their fifth-straight Olympic games appearance. They will be looking to better their 2012 performance, which was their personal best as that was the only time New Zealand got out of the group stage. The Football Ferns qualified for Paris 2024 after winning the 2024 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament – Oceania Qualifier by dominating the competition and winning the final on February 19, 2024, against the Solomon Islands by a scoreline of 11-1.
There are some concerns with the Football Ferns though, as their head coach, Jitka Klimková, had to step down of coaching in the Paris 2024 Olympics. This is the statement provided by New Zealand Football with the reasons outlined below (Source: RNZ Sport):
“The decision comes following conclusion of an independent workplace employment investigation which cleared Klimková to lead the team at Paris 2024, however, in consultation with New Zealand Football, Klimková has taken the view that due to concerns in relation to the team environment, her wellbeing, and a restorative process having not been completed, it would not be the right time for her to return,” New Zealand Football’s media statement said.
As revealed in the same RNZ article, Michael Mayne, who was as an assistant head coach, will now lead the Football Ferns in the Summer Olympics.
Their captain, Ali Riley, is a defender for Angel City FC and has been with the national team since 2007, who unfortunately will not play for the team today because of an injury and will be replaced by Michaela Foster. Another player to note is Hannah Wilkinson, who plays for Melbourne City and is fourth in all-time goals for New Zealand with 31 goals scored.
Head-to-Head and How to Watch The Game
READ MORE: The 2024 CanWNT Olympic Roster Reveal Includes Cloé Lacasse
The teams have faced each other 11 times since 2007, with Canada winning nine of those games, and the other two being draws. The last time New Zealand got a result against Canada was in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Since then, though, they have lost four games against the Canadians, including one game in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup as well as two games in the CANWNT Summer Send-Off Series.
Canadians can watch this game and all games nationally on CBC on Thursday at 11:00AM ET at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne. This game will also kick-off the tournament for both teams. Canada’s other two games in the group stage will be against hosts, France, on July 28, also at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne at 3:00PM ET and then finally their last game against Colombia, which will take place at 3:00PM ET as well as on July 31, 2024, against Colombia, also at 3:00PM ET at Stade de Nice in Nice, France.
READ MORE: The Northern Super League is Born
This will also be the last major FIFA competition where Canada will not have a professional women’s soccer league, as their upcoming league, the Northern Super League, will start its inaugural season next year with the AFC Toronto logo being featured in the draw against Mexico.
There is also concern about Canada Soccer’s participation in the Olympics with the statement made by COC above, but as of right now, the game still stands at least officially between the CANWNT and New Zealand.
Women’s National Team Celebration Tour
23 October 2021 – Ottawa, ON, CAN
Photo Credit: Canada Soccer by Audrey Magny
