The sixth-ranked Canadian women will face World Cup champion Spain in an international friendly next month.
Third-ranked Spain will host Canada on Oct. 25 at Estadio Francisco de la Hera in Almendralejo.
The game will be the first for the Canadian women since the Paris Olympics, where they lost to Germany in a quarterfinal penalty shootout after coach Bev Priestman was sent home and later suspended for a year by FIFA over her part in Canada’s drone-spying scandal.
In announcing the Spain friendly, Canada Soccer said more information on the interim women’s coaching staff for the October window will come later. Assistant coach Andy Spence took charge of the team in Priestman’s absence at the Olympics.
Spain finished fourth in Paris, beaten 1-0 by Germany in the bronze-medal match.
Canada is winless in three previous meetings (0-2-1) with Spain, most recently losing 1-0 at the Arnold Clark Cup in England in February 2022.
The teams played to a scoreless draw in May 2019 in Logroñés, Spain in a warm-up for the 2019 World Cup. Spain won 1-0 in March 2019 at the Algarve Cup in São João da Venda, Portugal.
Spain is a powerhouse in the women’s game these days.
It won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2022 and was runner-up in 2018. And it ousted Canada 2-1 in the round of 16 of the current U-20 tournament earlier this month in Colombia before falling 1-0 to Japan after extra time in the quarterfinal.
Spain won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2018 and 2022 and has finished on the podium on three other occasions.
FC Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati (2023) and Alexia Putellas (2021 and ’22) have combined to win the last three Women’s Ballon d’Or awards.
And Barcelona has won three of the last four UEFA Women’s Champions League titles.
“We continue to strive to diversify our opponent pool while maintaining a high level of competition.” Daniel Michelucci, Canada Soccer’s director of national team operations, said in a statement. “We anticipate a thrilling encounter, showcasing two of the world’s top-ranked teams.”
Canada’s Women’s Soccer Team is gearing up to face Spain in a friendly match, set to take place on April 9th. This match comes as part of Canada’s preparation for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, where they will be looking to build on their success from the 2012 and 2016 games.
The Canadian team, led by head coach Bev Priestman, will be looking to test their skills against a tough Spanish side. Spain is currently ranked 12th in the world by FIFA, making them a formidable opponent for Canada. This match will provide an important opportunity for the Canadian team to fine-tune their tactics and strategies ahead of the Olympics.
Canada’s Women’s Soccer Team has been on an impressive run in recent years, with standout players such as Christine Sinclair, Jessie Fleming, and Kadeisha Buchanan leading the way. Sinclair, in particular, is a veteran of the team and holds the record for most international goals scored by any player, male or female.
The match against Spain will be a crucial test for Canada as they look to solidify their lineup and build chemistry among the players. With the Olympics just around the corner, every match is an opportunity for the team to improve and showcase their skills on the international stage.
Fans of women’s soccer in Canada will be eagerly anticipating this match against Spain, as it will provide a glimpse into how the team is shaping up ahead of the Olympics. With a talented roster and experienced coaching staff, Canada’s Women’s Soccer Team is poised to make a strong showing in Tokyo and continue their legacy of success on the world stage.