The biggest show in women’s sport kicks off on Thursday, when the 2023 FIFA World Cup opens in Auckland.
New Zealand take on Norway in the first of 64 matches being held over 32 days in 10 venues.
KEY DATES
July 20 – Opening match between New Zealand and Norway (Auckland)
July 20 – Australia v Ireland (Sydney)
July 27 – Australia v Nigeria (Brisbane)
July 31 – Australia v Canada (Melbourne)
August 20 – World Cup final (Sydney)
HOSTS
This is the first ever co-hosted Women’s World Cup, with Australia and New Zealand each welcoming one side of the draw.
The opening game between New Zealand and Norway will be played at Auckland’s Eden Park.
The host cities in Australia are Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, while in New Zealand it will be Auckland, Dunedin, Hamilton and Wellington hosting games.
Sydney’s Stadium Australia will hold the final along with one semi-final. Eden Park will host the other semi-final while Brisbane will stage the third-place play-off.
FORMAT
The competition has been expanded from 24 teams to 32, who have been drawn into eight groups of four.
The group winners and runners-up go through to the round of 16.
WHO’S GOING TO WIN?
Defending champions the USA are always in the mix and are eyeing an unprecedented third consecutive title but they have been smashed by injuries.
European champions England and Olympic finalists Sweden are also among the favourites, while two-time winners Germany shape as a real smoky after making the Euros final.
A change in coach could be just what a chronically underachieving France side need to take that next step.
Spain and Canada will attempt to overcome off-field dramas to contend, while Japan should never be written off.
WHAT ABOUT AUSTRALIA?
The Matildas reached the last eight in 2007, 2011 and 2015, winning their first knockout match at a senior World Cup to do so in 2015. They were knocked out in the round of 16 in 2019.
Excellent recent results against England, Sweden, Spain and France have the Matildas bolting into genuine contender territory, while they will take heart from their excellent Olympics run.
Playing Olympic champions Canada in the group stage is tough, and the path through the knockout stage is likely to be easier if Australia can finish top and avoid a R16 clash with likely Group D winners England.
WHAT DO THEY WIN?
Players will earn a record purse of $US270,000 ($A404,000) each for winning the title.
Every player involved in the tournament is guaranteed to receive at least $US30,000 ($A45,000), at a time when the average salary in the women’s game worldwide is $US14,000 ($21,000)
MASCOT
Tazuni is a “fun, football-loving penguin” who according to FIFA fell in love with football while playing with some kids on the beach. The penguin is based on the Eudyptula minor species endemic to New Zealand and Australia. The name Tazuni is a fusion of her home – the Tasman Sea – and ‘unity’, described as a key value of the event.
