It’s only a matter of days – nine to be exact – before the kick-off of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 which will be hosted by Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
The most-anticipated month-long tournament is scheduled to run from 20 July to 20 August.
After years, months and weeks of toil and planning, it’s almost time to for the battle to commence for the coveted winners’ trophy.
The USA are the defending champions having won the inaugural tournament in 1991, and followed it with another victory in 1999 before claiming the last two editions (2015, 2019).
The only other three countries to have tasted gold are Germany (2003, 2007); Norway (1995) and Japan 2011.
For the first time ever, 32 nations – increased from 24 – will take part in the competition.
A total of 736 best players – 23 per country – will participate in the biggest footballing stage.
The opening match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will see New Zealand face off against 1995 champions, Norway at Eden Park in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau on Thursday, 20 July. Later on the same day, Australia will do battle with FIFA Women’s World Cup debutants Republic of Ireland at Stadium Australia in Sydney/Wangal.
The final will be held in Sydney on 20 August.
All the full squads for the ninth edition of the tournament have been confirmed and can be accessed here.
Group A: New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Switzerland
Group B: Australia, Republic of Ireland, Nigeria, Canada
Group C: Spain, Costa Rica, Zambia, Japan
Group D: China, Denmark, England, Haiti
Group E: Netherlands, Portugal, United States, Vietnam
Group F: Brazil, France, Jamaica, Panama
Group G: Argentina, Italy, South Africa, Sweden
Group H: Colombia, Germany, Morocco, South Korea
FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP FIXTURES:
GROUP A:
NEW ZEALAND
Matches:
Norway (July 20), Philippines (July 24), Switzerland (July 30)
NORWAY
Matches:
New Zealand (July 20), Switzerland (July 25), Norway (July 30)
PHILIPPINES
Matches:
Switzerland (July 20), New Zealand (July 24), Norway (July 30)
SWITZERLAND
Matches:
Philippines (July 20), Norway (July 25), New Zealand (July 30)
GROUP B:
AUSTRALIA
Matches:
Republic of Ireland (July 20), Nigeria (July 27), Canada (July 31)
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Matches:
Australia (July 20), Canada (July 26), Nigeria (July 31)
NIGERIA
Matches:
Canada (July 20), Australia (July 27), Republic of Ireland (July 31)
CANADA
Matches:
Nigeria (July 20), Republic of Ireland (July 26), Australia (July 31)
GROUP C:
SPAIN
Matches:
Costa Rica (July 21), Zambia (July 26), Japan (July 31)
COSTA RICA
Matches:
Spain (July 21), Japan (July 25), Costa Rica (July 31)
ZAMBIA
Matches:
Japan (July 22), Spain (July 26), Costa Rica (July 31)
JAPAN
Matches:
Zambia (July 22), Costa Rica (July 25), Spain (July 31)
GROUP D:
CHINA
Matches:
Haiti (July 22), Denmark (July 28), England (Aug. 1)
DENMARK
Matches:
China (July 22), England (July 28), Haiti (Aug. 1)
ENGLAND
Matches:
Haiti (July 22), Denmark (July 28), China (Aug. 1)
HAITI
Matches:
England (July 22), China (July 28), Denmark (Aug. 1)
GROUP E:
NETHERLANDS
Matches:
Portugal (July 23), United States (July 26), Vietnam (Aug. 1)
PORTUGAL
Matches:
Netherlands (July 23), Portugal (27), United States (Aug. 1)
UNITED STATES
Matches:
Vietnam (July 21), Netherlands (July 26), Portugal (Aug. 1)
VIETNAM
Matches:
New Zealand (July 9), United States (July 21), Portugal (July 27)
GROUP F:
BRAZIL
Matches:
Panama (July 24), France (July 29), Jamaica (Aug. 2)
FRANCE
Matches:
Jamaica (July 23), Brazil (July 29), Panama (Aug. 2)
JAMAICA
Matches:
France (July 23), Panama (July 29), Brazil (Aug. 2)
PANAMA
Matches:
Brazil (July 24), Panama (July 29), Panama (Aug. 2)
GROUP G:
ARGENTINA
Matches:
Italy (July 23), South Africa (July 27), Sweden (Aug. 2)
ITALY
Matches:
Argentina (July 23), Sweden (July 29), South Africa (Aug. 2)
SOUTH AFRICA
Matches:
Sweden (July 22), Argentina (July 27), Italy (Aug. 2)
SWEDEN
Matches:
South Africa (July 22), Italy (July 29), Argentina (Aug. 2)
GROUP H:
COLOMBIA
Matches:
South Korea (July 24), Germany (July 30), Morocco (Aug. 3)
GERMANY
Matches:
Morocco (July 24), Colombia (July 30), South Korea (Aug. 3)
MOROCCO
Matches:
Germany (July 24), South Korea (July 29), Morocco (Aug. 3)
SOUTH KOREA
Matches:
Colombia (July 24), Morocco (July 29), Germany (Aug. 3)
By Matlhomola Morake
