Rabat – Morocco’s national football team is set to face Ireland in Marbella, Spain on November 14 in preparation for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Irish Football Federation reported on Thursday that the game will follow a behind-closed-doors game between the Atlas Lionesses and the Girls in Green during an eight-day training camp planned by the Irish team.
The international friendly is expected to follow the training period on November 14 at 6 p.m. (GMT+1) at the Marbella Football Center. Details on the game broadcasting are yet to be disclosed.
In October, the FIFA Women’s World Cup final draw placed Morocco in Group H alongside Germany, Colombia, and South Korea. Meanwhile, Ireland was placed with Australia, Canada, and Nigeria in Group B.
The coming international friendly game is expected to bring together Morocco and Ireland’s senior women footballers for the first time ever. The two teams could meet again in the World Cup scheduled between 20 July and 20 August 2023 in Australia and New Zealand.
The game would “represent an ideal test” for Ireland, the country’s women’s national team manager Vera Pauw said, adding that the European squad wants “to make the most of this camp” since it allows the players to compete “under the type of pressure that you only get in international football.”
The two squads are expected to organize additional friendly games in February, April, and June 2023 to boost team synergy and address any hurdles before the tournament.
With Ireland, Morocco, and other teams working on arranging their schedules to benefit from the maximum number of friendly games ahead of the tournament, time is putting additional pressure on the team managers.
“It has been a challenge to find an opponent at such short notice but we are really pleased that we can confirm this training camp in Marbella followed by a game against Morocco which will represent an ideal test as we begin our World Cup preparations,” Pauw explained.
Read Also: FIFA: Women’s Football Enjoys Growing Global Momentum
