2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Cameroon face Thailand in crucial qualifying game tomorrow.

The tricky encounter is fixed for Saturday February 18, beginning as from 2:00am local time, at the FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.

The game against Thailand could make or break the Indomitable Lionesses chances of progressing to the 2022 FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

Cameroon women’s national team must win tomorrow’s clash to maintain their hopes of qualifying for their third consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The 2016 vice African champions made their World Cup debut in 2015, when Canada staged the event. They were also part of the 2019 edition in France. They’ve reached the round of 16 on both occasions.

Last July, during the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon missed out of one of the 4 automatic tickets for the quadrennial global showpiece, after a 1-0 quarterfinal loss to Nigeria.

They however kept their dream of a third consecutive berth alive after a 1-0 win over Botswana to reach the intercontinental playoff. They first challenge Thailand, before potentially setting up a clash against Portugal.

The Chaba Kaew of Thailand are considered favourites, considering their current FIFA ranking, which is far better than Cameroon.

But the Central African nation is no easy pushovers as they have a precise target to meet.

The game promises to be interesting with both nations eyeing a third appearance at the World Cup.

The winner of the clash pitting Cameroon and Thailand will face off with Portugal, who are a step away from their maiden World Cup tournament in the play-offs final.

A total 10 teams, drawn in three groups will compete in the play-offs. Only the top teams of each qualifying group will join the other nations that had already secured a place for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

The 2023 Women’s World Cup will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

The tournament which is in its 9^th edition is scheduled to take place from July 20 to August 20.

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be the first to have more than one host nation.

Also, this tournament will be the first to feature the expanded format of 32 teams, from the previous 24.

It will also be the first senior World Cup of either gender to be held across multiple confederations, as Australia is within the Asian Confederation while New Zealand is within the Oceania Confederation.