
<p>Canada made an announcement on head coach John Herdman that refuted earlier reports. Earlier on Wednesday, <em><a href="https:\/\/www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2023/02/football-canada-s-john-herdman-emerges-as-leading-candidate-for-all-whites-head-coaching-role.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Newshub</a></em> reported the 47-year-old head coach switched allegiances. The story claimed he would be taking over the same role with New Zealand.</p>



<p>Earlier in his coaching career, Herdman worked with the women’s national team in New Zealand from 2003 to 2011. He was the head coach for the final five years of that tenure. </p>



<p>However, Canada’s official twitter account published a quote from Herdman. It clearly demonstrated Herdman’s intent to stay with the Canada Men’s National Team after he helped the side reach its first World Cup since 1986. It was Canada’s second trip to the tournament in its history.</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A statement from Canada Soccer&apos;s Men&apos;s National Team Head Coach John Herdman 🍁 <a href="https:\/\/t.co/Qnung905Hj">pic.twitter.com/Qnung905Hj</a></p>— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/CanadaSoccerEN/status/1620857717668864002?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h5>New Zealand had a head coach lined up</h5>



<p>New Zealand’s soccer association announced that it had a frontrunner lined up. In an official statement that laid out a pair of friendlies to start off the 2026 World Cup cycle, New Zealand said Darren Bazeley would coach the side in those friendlies.</p>



<p>“The leading candidate for the permanent All Whites head coach role had to be called upon to help manage a family health issue, meaning they weren’t able to take up the position ahead of these fixtures,” read an official <a href="https:\/\/www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/124254?newsfeedId=1275622" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statement</a> on the ordeal.</p>



<p>However, Herdman maintained that he is not that candidate. New Zealand did reach out to the coach to question him for his services. However, the coach is “not going anywhere.”</p>



<p>Herdman is under contract through the 2026 World Cup, for which Canada is a co-host.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="How John Herdman&apos;s Upbringing Shaped Him In Soccer And Life | Consett to Qatar: Episode 1" width="500" height="281" src="https:\/\/www.youtube.com/embed/vHMTGVCgBmY?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<h2>John Herdman took Canada to 2022 World Cup</h2>



<p>Herdman made <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/news/croatia-newspaper-attacks-canada-world-cup-coach-20221125-WST-409953.html">headlines</a> at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar for interesting comments regarding Croatia. The coach spoke to reporters after a narrow defeat to Belgium and admitted that he told his players that they would “go and F Croatia” in their next match. Canada would, however, lose the match to Croatia 4-1.</p>



<p>Regardless, it was a success to get Canada back to the competition even if it picked up zero points. Canada did score its first-ever goal at a World Cup. Fittingly, it was star man Alphonso Davies to get on the scoresheet. </p>



<p>He looks to lead the side as it is a co-host for the 2026 World Cup. </p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images</em></p>


Canada head coach John Herdman had links with the New Zealand job, but he snuffed those out and stated his intent to stay with Canada.

John Herdman announces stay as head coach for Canada


<p>The FIFA Women’s World Cup is now just six months away, and fans finally know the official match ball.</p>



<p>Nicknamed “OCEAUNZ,” it is the ninth successive ball produced by Adidas. However, it maintains some of the same technology from <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/world-cup-official-ball-qatar-2022-20220330-CMS-377637.html">previous balls</a> at the men’s and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/womens-world-cup-tv-schedule/">Women’s World Cups</a>. For example, a CTR core allows for consistency, while the Speedshell improved aerodynamics. Then, the connected ball technology from a suspended sensor in the ball provides all the stats fans crave.</p>



<p>The ball arrived in Sydney today, the location of the final. However, rather than going to Syndney Stadium, the location of the Final, it wound up on Bondi Beach. It is, after all, still summer down under.</p>



<p>In terms of the aesthetics, the ball takes inspiration from the mountains of New Zealand and the waters of Australia. It featured designs by Aboriginal artist Chern’ee Sutton and Māori  artist Fiona Collis. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">All eyes on OCEAUNZ 🌊<br><br>Inspired by the nature of Australia and New Zealand, your official <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWWC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FIFAWWC</a> match ball.<br><br>Available now in stores and online at <a href="https://t.co/wIHO15UkRf">https://t.co/wIHO15UkRf</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAWWC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWWC</a> 🇦🇺🇳🇿 <a href="https://t.co/jyCkYdhud8">pic.twitter.com/jyCkYdhud8</a></p>— adidas UK (@adidasUK) <a href="https://twitter.com/adidasUK/status/1617813205216071682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura wanted the ball to embrace the inclusivity that FIFA aims for. </p>



<p>“adidas has created an iconic Official Match Ball for the FIFA Women’s World Cup that reflects diversity, inclusivity and togetherness, fitting themes for the first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup to be co-hosted by two different countries from different confederations,” Samoura wrote. “This edition of the tournament will be extremely special and the rich cultures of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, as evoked on OCEAUNZ, are certain to take the experience of visiting fans and teams #BeyondGreatness.”</p>



<p>The name of the ball, OCEAUNZ, is part of that inclusivity. It represents Australia (AU) and New Zealand (NZ) coming together. </p>



<h5>Women’s World Cup ball for Australia and New Zealand</h5>



<p>This is the first Women’s World Cup to take place in the southern hemisphere. It is also the first to include the same number of teams as the men’s competition, 32. Therefore,  it is a time of change for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/womens-soccer-tv-schedule/">women’s soccer</a> and the Women’s World Cup.</p>



<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/what-times-are-the-womens-world-cup-games-played-20230118-WST-413603.html">The competition kicks off</a> on July 20 when New Zealand battles 1995 Women’s World Cup champions Norway. Australia is in action against Ireland later that day. Coverage in the United States is available through FOX Sports.</p>



<div style="background:#ffcc66;padding:10px;">
<h3>Guide to World Cup 2023</h3>
<div style="padding:10px;">
Here are some resources to help you get the most out of the biggest event in women&apos;s soccer!
</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/womens-world-cup-tv-schedule/"><strong>Schedule:</strong></a> All the info on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/womens-world-cup-tv-schedule/">where and when to watch</a> every game
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/how-to-watch-the-womens-world-cup-on-us-tv/"><strong>TV Coverage:</strong></a> <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/how-to-watch-the-womens-world-cup-on-us-tv/">How to watch</a> the games on TV
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/foxs-womens-world-cup-commentators-for-wwc-2023-20230609-WST-436709.html"><strong>Commentators:</strong></a> Find out more about the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/foxs-womens-world-cup-commentators-for-wwc-2023-20230609-WST-436709.html">studio talent and announcers</a>
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/womens-world-cup-bracket-free-download/"><strong>World Cup Bracket:</strong></a> Map out the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/womens-world-cup-bracket-free-download/">entire tournament</a>, from the groups to the final
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/womens-world-cup/"><strong>World Cup News:</strong></a> Latest news and info for<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/womens-world-cup/"> Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023</a>
</div>
</div>


FIFA and Adidas unveiled the official ball for the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand set for later this year.

Official match ball for the Women's World Cup unveiled

<p><a href="https://paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065" target="_new" rel="noopener nofollow"></a></p><p></p>
<p>Here in the United States, AFC Women’s Asian Cup games on Paramount+ begin Thursday, January 20. China PR takes on Chinese Taipei in the opening fixture from India.</p>
<p>CBS acquired the rights to broadcast Asian Football Confederation (AFC) tournaments up until 2024. This, of course, gives CBS exclusive rights to broadcast the tournament in the United States. Therefore, the agreement allows CBS to utilize its streaming service <a href="https://paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065" target="_new" rel="noopener nofollow">Paramount+</a> as the exclusive way to watch these competitions.</p>
<p>The AFC General Secretary, Dato’ Windsor John, mentioned the importance of the deal for the sport in Asia as a whole.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“The AFC is delighted to enter into this partnership with CBS Sports, which represents another progressive step towards increasing the visibility and consumption of the AFC’s competitions beyond our Continent, and we thank them for believing in the future of Asian football.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>Paramount+ streams <a href="https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_womens_asian_cup.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">each match of the competition</a> live. On-demand replays are available shortly after the conclusion of each game.</p>
<h5>The 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup</h5>
<p>India hosts the 2022 AFC Women’s Cup for the second time in the competition’s history. Traditionally, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup features eight teams. However, this year, the tournament expanded. Twelve teams split into three groups of four teams. The group winner and group runner-up advance from each group. Also, the two best third-place teams advance to the quarterfinals of the competition.</p>
<p>From that point on, it is a single-game elimination tournament culminating on February 6.</p>
<p>Historically, China PR is the most successful nation in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The nation has won eight times. That being said, Japan dominated in recent renditions of the tournament. The 2011 World Cup Winners won the last two AFC Women’s Asian Cups.</p>
<p>The tournament is incredibly important. First off, the tournament crowns the best Asian women’s team. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, the top five teams in the competition earn direct qualification to the 2023 World Cup. That tournament, hosted by Australia and New Zealand, already has the two host nations as secured spots. The knockout stages of the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, airing on Paramount+, determine five more participants.</p>
<h3>AFC Women’s Asian Cup on Paramount+</h3>
<p>Currently, Paramount+ has a <a href="https://paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065" target="_new" rel="noopener nofollow">one-week free trial</a> of their streaming service. After the seven days are up, plans for Paramount+ begin at just $4.99 per month. They also offer an ad-free (except live TV obviously) version for $9.99 per month. Annual plans are also available at Paramount+ and they start at $49.99 per year. The streaming service can also now be bundled along with Showtime as well.</p>
<p>Subscribers can access Paramount+ on computers, mobile phones, tablets or connected devices like Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, LG, Samsung, and Vizio smart TVs, Playstation, Roku, and Xbox.</p>
<p>Along with the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, Paramount+ offers subscribers more than 2,000 live soccer matches per year. Other competitions that the streaming service currently holds exclusive rights to in the U.S. include: UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Europa Conference League, Italy’s Serie A, Scottish Premiership, Argentine league, Brasileirāo, NWSL, The Women’s Cup, CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers and Nations League.</p>
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AFC Women’s Asian Cup on Paramount+ starts Thursday, Jan. 20

The AFC Women's Asian Cup, the top tournament for international women's teams in the confederation, begins on Paramount+ this week.

AFC Women's Asian Cup on Paramount+ starts Thursday, Jan. 20 - World Soccer Talk

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John Herdman announces stay as head coach for Canada

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Official match ball for the Women's World Cup unveiled

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AFC Women’s Asian Cup on Paramount+ starts Thursday, Jan. 20