By: Eric Jia
The Women’s World Cup is currently underway in Australia and New Zealand, and this year’s tournament is bigger than ever. A record 32 teams are fighting it out down under to become world champions and get their hands on the World Cup trophy. The tournament is taking place from Thursday July 20 to Sunday August 20, with the opening match between co-hosts New Zealand and Norway in Auckland’s Eden Park. The final will occur a month later at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 20.
According to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™ is already a resounding success, just six days into the tournament, thanks to record attendances, more than 1.5 million tickets sold, competitive matches and a festive atmosphere in the two host nations. “I would really like to express a huge thank you to New Zealand and to Australia for hosting us here,” the FIFA President said. FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ breaks new records The stakes are especially high for US team who are the defending champions, having won the previous two tournaments in 2015 and 2019. At the last World Cup four years ago, the USA won 2-0 against the Netherlands, who were managed by current England boss Sarina Wiegman. The USA are bidding to become the first team – in the men’s or women’s game – to win three football World Cups in a row.
As of now, for the first time, 32 countries will compete in the women’s World Cup – up from 24 countries that took part in the last tournament. There are eight teams who’ll be competing for the very first time – Haiti, Morocco, Panama, the Philippines, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, Vietnam and Zambia. This allows more people to have the chance and compete. The tournament will begin with a group stage consisting of eight groups of four teams.
FOX Sports play-by-play announcer Jacqui Oatley had this to say following Colombia’s victory over Korea Republic: “Colombia have delivered! Linda Caciedo has delivered! Catalina Usme with the opening goal for the penalty spot, and 18-year old Linda Caicedo announcing herself on the world stage. She belongs at this level, and Colombia have come away from this opening match with three precious points to go second in the group behind Germany.”(FIFA Women’s World Cup™ on FOX and FS1 Programming Highlights: Tuesday, July 25 – Fox Sports Press Pass)
With so many talented teams and players participating in this year’s tournament, it’s sure to be an exciting event full of surprises and memorable moments.