Women's World Cup Group B teams, breakdown: Australia, Canada, Nigeria, Ireland

The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup brings together some of the greatest athletes in the world to represent 32 countries.

The teams are divided into eight groups. In the first round, the four teams in each group will compete against each other, and only two teams from each group will advance to the next round.

MORE: How to watch the World Cup, time zone math, and more questions answered

Here's a look at the teams in Group B.

Australia

CO-HOST NATION Ranked 10th in the World by FIFA heading into the World Cup. The team is nicknamed the Matildas. They are 3-time Quarter Finalists and have made it to every single Women’s World Cup in history. The team has a real chance of winning.

Their star player is captain Sam Kerr who plays for Chelsea. Kerr has been nominated for every Women's Ballon d'Or since its inception in 2018. Expect them to give everyone a real run for their money – especially on home soil.

Canada

Ranked 7th in the World by FIFA heading into the World Cup. They won Gold at the 2021 Olympics. The team has issues off the pitch.

Their key player is Christine Sinclair, who is the world’s all-time leading international goal scorer for men or women and the captain of Team Canada.

They ended the 2019 World Cup in the Round of 16. Canada has three members who are in the Houston Dash: Defender Allysha Chapman, Midfielder Sophie Schmidt, and Forward Nichelle Prince, who's coming off of an ACL injury and surgery which has her sidelined for all of this 2023 NWSL season. However, she showed enough improvement to make it on Canada's 23-person roster. Canada's captain- Christine Sinclair, who's heading into her 6th consecutive WWC at 40 years, 38 days, is the world's all-time leader for international goals scored for men or women with 190 goals.

HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND - FEBRUARY 20: The match ball is seen during the International Friendly Match between New Zealand and Argentina which is part of the 2023 FIFA 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Play Off Tournament at Waikato Stadium on February 20, 20

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Nigeria

The Super Falcons are ranked 40th in the world by FIFA heading into this year's tournament. This will be Nigeria's 9th World Cup appearance, qualifying for every Women's World Cup in tournament history. Their best result? 1999 World Cup Quarterfinals.

But they've got some Houston fire-- Dash forward Michelle Alozie is making her World Cup debut for the team. Look for her mismatched cleats-- a nod to childhood cancer awareness.. a passion and side-career of hers. She'll also have a lot of guidance from Captain Onome Ebi. She became the first African footballer to play in five World Cups, back in 2019. She's also the oldest competing in this tournament, at 40 years and 73 days.

Players to also watch: Asisat Oshoala, widely considered one of the best African female footballers of all-time, currently plays club for Barcelona. She became the first African player nominated for a Ballon d'Or in 2022. The Super Falcons are coached by Texas native Randy Waldrum... does that name sound familar? Yes, former Houston Dash head coach Randy Waldrum.

Ireland

Ranked 22nd in the world by FIFA heading into THEIR FIRST EVER WOMEN'S World Cup. "The Girls in Green" are led by Katie McCabe. There is a positive attitude surrounding the team because it's their first tournament in decades.

Captain Denise O'Sullivan has played in Australia as a loan player. She previously was a member of the Houston Dash before going on to play with the North Carolina Courage