The stage is set for the start of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
It is the ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the first to be hosted by more than one nation. The 2023 tournament will also feature an expanded field of 32 teams instead of 24 in recent tournaments.
Reigning champions USA are the most successful country in the competition’s history, having lifted the trophy a total of four times. However, they will face stiff competition from England, Spain, Australia, Canada and France.
When is first Women’s World Cup match?
Like all other major international fixtures, the host country will take part in the opening game of the tournament.
New Zealand will feature in the first match, hours before Australia take the field for the second match of the 2023 World Cup.
The Football Ferns of New Zealand will face Norway in the inaugural match of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The fixture will take place on July 20, 2023 at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
Australia’s opener will take place later on the same day as they face the Republic of Ireland at Stadium Australia, also known as the Sydney Olympic Stadium.
New Zealand vs Norway date, kickoff time
Norway have appeared in every edition of the Women’s World Cup so far, and also won the competition back in 1995.
New Zealand have been regulars of late, featuring in each of the last four editions, but they have never made it past the group phase.
The Women’s World Cup opener at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand kicks off on Thursday, July 20 at 19:00 local time. Here’s how that time translates across some of the other major territories:
| Region | Date | Kickoff time |
|---|---|---|
| USA | Thu, July 20 | 3 a.m. ET |
| Canada | Thu, July 20 | 3 a.m. ET |
| UK | Thu, July 20 | 8 a.m. BST |
| Australia | Thu, July 20 | 5 p.m. AEST |
| India | Thu, July 20 | 12:30 p.m. IST |
| Hong Kong | Thu, July 20 | 3 p.m. HKT |
| Malaysia | Thu, July 20 | 3 p.m. MYT |
| Singapore | Thu, July 20 | 3 p.m. SGT |
| New Zealand | Thu, July 20 | 7 p.m. NZST |
Women’s World Cup opening ceremony
The opening ceremony of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will take place before New Zealand’s clash with Norway.
Not all the details have been released, but the main musical performance has already been revealed.
Australian musician Mallrat collaborated with New Zealand artist Benee for ‘Do It Again’, the official song of the tournament. They will perform the track at the opening ceremony together ahead of the first game of the competition.
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