Cameroon, Côte-d'Ivoire and Nigeria ready to fly Africa's flag in Canada

The seventh edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Canada 2015, will kick off this Saturday when the hosts battle China at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium.

For the first time, the tournament will be played with 24 teams (instead of the usual 16) and includes 3 African sides (instead of the usual 2).

For their seventh consecutive appearance at the international showpiece, 1999 quarter-finalists Nigeria will be looking to reach the last four, while newcomers Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire will be happy to get through the first round.

The three West African nations owe their presence in Canada to a top three finish at the 2014 African Women’s Championship, where the Super Falcons claimed their ninth continental crown.

Ottawa-based Côte d’Ivoire will battle two-time world champions Germany, Norway and Thailand in Group B. Fellow debutant Cameroon will face defending champions Japan, Ecuador and Switzerland in Group C; While Nigeria will challenge other tournament’s favourites and two-time winners USA, Australia and Sweden in Group D.

SCHEDULE

CÔTE D’IVOIRE

Germany v Côte d’Ivoire – 7 June in Ottawa

Côte d’Ivoire v Thailand – 11 June in Ottawa

Côte d’Ivoire v Norway – 15 June in Moncton

CAMEROON

Cameroon v Ecuador – 8 June in Vancouver

Japan v Cameroon – 12 June in Vancouver

Switzerland v Cameroon – 16 June in Edmonton

NIGERIA

Sweden v Nigeria – 8 June in Winnipeg

Australia v Nigeria – 12 June in Winnipeg

Nigeria v USA – 16 June in Vancouver