Are you ready to cheer on the Matildas as they compete in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on home soil?
Australia and New Zealand are co-hosting this year’s tournament across nine cities and ten stadiums. Yes, Perth is one of those cities with several key games being held. The tournament will run from Thursday, July 20 to Sunday, August 20 with a record 32 nations competing for the title.
The tournament has grown strongly over the years, showing both the popularity of the sport in general and the strength and competitiveness of the women’s game. In 1991, it all started as a 12-team competition, growing to 16 countries in 1999, then 24 countries in 2015. More than one million tickets have already been snapped up for this year’s tournament, which makes it likely to become the most attended women’s sporting event ever.
When and where is the Women’s World Cup?
The FIFA Women’s World Cup will take place between July 20 and August 20, 2023 in nine cities across Australia and New Zealand. Six of those cities are in Australia with five of the matches being held in Perth.
The opening match of the tournament sees New Zealand take on Norway at Eden Park in Auckland on Thursday, July 20 at 3:00 PM AWST.
The Matildas’ first match is against the Republic of Ireland later that same day at 6:00 pm at Stadium Australia in Sydney. While the Matildas won’t be playing any games in Perth, you can cheer them on at the FIFA Fan Festival at Forrest Chase.
What games are played in Perth?
Perth will be playing host to five matches at Perth Rectangular Stadium.
- Denmark vs China on Saturday, July 22
- Canada vs Republic of Ireland on Wednesday, July 26
- Panama vs Jamaica on Saturday, July 29
- Haiti vs Denmark on Tuesday, August 1
- Morocco vs Colombia on Thursday, August 3
Who are the favourites?
This is possibly the most important question for those of us who like a punt. USA, which currently holds the number one FIFA ranking, is widely considered as the tournament favourite. They’ve won the last two Women’s World Cups and could be the first country to ever win three consecutive World Cups — both men’s and women’s World Cups.
Next in line is England, Spain, Germany, France, and Australia. Australia has never made it further than the quarter-finals at a World Cup; however, this time, they have the advantage of the home crowd. Will that give them an edge and help them to the final game?
What are your predictions for the Women’s World Cup? Who will win the tournament? How deep will the Matildas go and will they make the final? What will be the score in their opening match?
Last World Cup, Paul the psychic octopus was there to provide some great tips to help with some of these questions. Sadly, Paul is no longer with us, but his expert sister Paulina has taken over and is ready to give you the best tips for the tournament via TABtouch’s Instagram and Facebook.
What is the tournament format?
The format of the FIFA Women’s World Cup is the same as you’re used to for almost every other soccer tournament, like the previous World Cups and the Champions League.
It all starts with the Group Stage where each team plays each other. There are four teams in each group and the top two progress to the Round of 16. From here, it’s straight up elimination. The winners progress to the Quarter Finals, then the Semi-Finals, and then the Final.
Who is in each Group?
FIFA Women’s World Cup match schedule
Group A match schedule
| Date | Match | Time (AWST) | Stadium |
| Thursday, July 20 | New Zealand vs Norway | 3:00 pm | Eden Park, Auckland |
| Friday, July 21 | Philippines vs Switzerland | 1:00 pm | Dunedin Stadium, Dunedin |
| Tuesday, July 25 | New Zealand vs the Philippines | 1:30 pm | Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington |
| Tuesday, July 25 | Switzerland vs Norway | 4:00 pm | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |
| Sunday, July 30 | Switzerland vs New Zealand | 3:00 pm | Dunedin Stadium, Dunedin |
| Sunday, July 30 | Norway vs Philippines | 3:00 pm | Eden Park, Auckland |
Group B match schedule
| Date | Match | Time (AWST) | Stadium |
| Thursday, July 20 | Australia vs Ireland | 6:00 pm | Stadium Australia, Sydney |
| Friday, July 21 | Nigeria vs Canada | 10:30 am | Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne |
| Wednesday, July 26 | Canada vs Ireland | 8:00 pm | Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth |
| Thursday, July 27 | Australia vs Nigeria | 6:00 pm | Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane |
| Monday, July 31 | Canada vs Australia | 6:00 pm | Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne |
| Monday, July 31 | Ireland vs Nigeria | 6:00 pm | Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane |
Group C match schedule
| Date | Match | Time (AWST) | Stadium |
| Friday, July 21 | Spain vs Costa Rica | 3:30 pm | Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington |
| Saturday, July 22 | Zambia vs Japan | 3:00 pm | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |
| Wednesday, July 26 | Japan vs Costa Rica | 1:00 pm | Dunedin Stadium, Dunedin |
| Wednesday, July 26 | Spain vs Zambia | 3:30 pm | Eden Park, Auckland |
| Monday, July 31 | Japan vs Spain | 3:00 pm | Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington |
| Monday, July 31 | Costa Rica vs Zambia | 3:00 pm | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |
Group D match schedule
| Date | Match | Time (AWST) | Stadium |
| Saturday, July 22 | England vs Haiti | 5:30 pm | Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane |
| Saturday, July 22 | Denmark vs China | 8:00 pm | Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth |
| Friday, July 28 | England vs Denmark | 4:30 pm | Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney |
| Friday, July 28 | China vs Haiti | 7:00 pm | Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide |
| Tuesday, August 1 | China vs England | 7:00 pm | Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide |
| Tuesday, August 1 | Haiti vs Denmark | 7:00 pm | Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth |
Group E match schedule
| Date | Match | Time (AWST) | Stadium |
| Saturday, July 22 | USA vs Vietnam | 9:00 am | Eden Park, Auckland |
| Sunday, July 23 | Netherlands vs Portugal | 3:30 pm | Dunedin Stadium, Dunedin |
| Thursday, July 27 | USA vs Netherlands | 9:00 am | Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington |
| Thursday, July 27 | Portugal vs Vietnam | 3:30 pm | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |
| Tuesday, August 1 | Portugal vs USA | 3:00 pm | Eden Park, Auckland |
| Tuesday, August 1 | Vietnam vs Netherlands | 3:00 pm | Dunedin Stadium, Dunedin |
Group F match schedule
| Date | Match | Time (AWST) | Stadium |
| Sunday, July 23 | France vs Jamaica | 6:00 pm | Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney |
| Monday, July 24 | Brazil vs Panama | 7:00 pm | Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide |
| Saturday, July 29 | France vs Brazil | 6:00 pm | Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane |
| Saturday, July 29 | Panama vs Jamaica | 8:30 pm | Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth |
| Wednesday, August 2 | Panama vs France | 6:00 pm | Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney |
| Wednesday, August 2 | Jamaica vs Brazil | 6:00 pm | Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne |
Group G match schedule
| Date | Match | Time (AWST) | Stadium |
| Sunday, July 23 | Sweden vs South Africa | 1:00 pm | Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington |
| Monday, July 24 | Italy vs Argentina | 2:00 pm | Eden Park, Auckland |
| Friday, July 28 | Argentina vs South Africa | 8:00 am | Dunedin Stadium, Dunedin |
| Saturday, July 29 | Sweden vs Italy | 3:30 pm | Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington |
| Wednesday, August 2 | Argentina vs Sweden | 3:00 pm | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |
| Wednesday, August 2 | South Africa vs Italy | 3:00 pm | Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington |
Group H match schedule
| Date | Match | Time (AWST) | Stadium |
| Monday, July 24 | Germany vs Morocco | 4:30 pm | Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne |
| Tuesday, July 25 | Colombia vs South Korea | 10:00 am | Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney |
| Sunday, July 30 | South Korea vs Morocco | 12:30 pm | Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide |
| Sunday, July 30 | Germany vs Colombia | 5:30 pm | Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney |
| Thursday, August 3 | South Korea vs Germany | 6:00 pm | Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane |
| Thursday, August 3 | Morocco vs Colombia | 6:00 pm | Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth |
How can I watch the matches?
You can watch the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup at the Forrest Chase FIFA Fan Festival or it’s available to stream on Optus Sport, Channel 7, and 7Plus.
How can I get in on the action?
The easiest way to place a bet on the FIFA Women’s World Cup is through TABtouch. You can place Same Game Multis and bet live on the action by downloading the TABtouch app or by heading to your local TAB.
Chances are you’re about to lose. For free and confidential support visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
This article was sponsored by TABtouch. Feature image credit: FIFA
