Everything you need to know about the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

The pinnacle event in football starts this summer and here is everything you need to know. The Women’s World Cup started in 1991, and since then the USA have won it four times, Germany have won it twice, and Norway along with Japan has won it once. Going into this summer, the USA are the favorites and are looking for a ‘three-peat’. However, coming off the back of winning the Euros last year, England’s Lionesses have a strong reputation as second-favorites.

FIFA’s Women’s World Cup 2023 starts on July 20th and the final is on Sunday the 20th of August. This year, for the first time, New Zealand and Australia will co-host the tournament. The co-hosts kick off their World Cup on the 20th of July with New Zealand facing Norway and Australia playing the Republic of Ireland. The growth of the women’s game is strongly reflected in this World Cup, with more than one million tickets already sold, it’s set to be the biggest women’s sporting event yet.

FIFA Women's World Cup trophy — FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy at Stadium Australia. Photo Credit: FIFA

How can I watch?

United Kingdom

ITV: The key round of sixteen games, both World Cup semi-finals, the quarterfinals, the third-place playoff and the final.

BBC: The key round of sixteen games and both World Cup semi-finals.

United States of America

Fox Sports

Australia

Seven Network

Optus Sport

Click here to check out our guide of which games you will not want to miss.

Women’s World Cup Groups

There are five stages of the World Cup: The group stage, round of sixteen, quarterfinals, semi-finals and the final. After the two highest placed teams advance from each group into the round of sixteen, the matches become knockouts. Click here to read our group stage guide.

Group A

New Zealand
Norway
Philippines
Switzerland

In Group A, we see co-hosts New Zealand with 1995 World Cup champions Norway, the Philippines (who are making their World Cup debut) and Switzerland – who had an applaudable qualifying campaign after winning 8 of their ten games.

Group B

Australia
Republic of Ireland (Team profile)
Nigeria
Canada

In Group B, it is co-hosts Australia playing the Republic of Ireland (who will be led out by captain Katie McCabe for their World Cup debut), Nigeria and 2020 Olympic gold medalists Canada.

Group C

Spain (Team profile)
Costa Rica
Zambia (Team profile)
Japan

Group C consists of Spain, Costa Rica, Zambia and 2011 Women’s World Cup champions Japan. Spain will be playing this tournament with a severely different squad due to the resignation of 15 key players, such as Mapi Leon. Making history as the first team from any landlocked African nation to qualify for a senior World Cup, Zambia have made it very clear that they are intent on making a lasting impression this summer.

Group D

England (Team profile, Players to watch)
Haiti
Denmark
China PR

Group D is made up of European champions England, Haiti (who are also making their World Cup debut), Denmark and China PR. Superstar Pernille Harder will be making her Women’s World Cup debut this year for Denmark, alongside the team making a comeback after 16 years. Since China’s devastating final against the USA in 1999, they’ve not managed to advance past the quarterfinal stage – will this summer be any different for China?

Group E

USA
Vietnam
Netherlands
Portugal

Group E is four-time champions USA, Vietnam, Netherlands and Portugal. Vietnam are another team making their debut this summer after beating Chinese Taipei 2-1 in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The Netherlands are in a tough position but looking for redemption after head coach Mark Parsons (who succeeded Sarina Wiegman) failed to avoid being eliminated in the quarterfinals at the Euros in 2022. They are also without star striker Vivianne Miedema, after she suffered an ACL injury whilst playing for Arsenal.

Group F

France
Jamaica
Brazil (Team profile)
Panama

Group F contains France (who have never played past the semifinals at the Women’s World Cup), Jamaica, Brazil and Panama. This is Jamaica’s second consecutive Women’s World Cup and the Reggae Girlz will be looking to make their mark. After just missing out in 2019, Panama will be looking for redemption and with head coach Nacho Quintana, this just might happen.

Group G

Sweden
South Africa
Italy
Argentina

Group G is Sweden, South Africa, Italy and Argentina. In the 2019 Women’s World Cup, Sweden ranked third place. In the Tokyo Olympics, they came second. This summer, the Swedes will be looking to carry up the podium and bring back the World Cup. Argentina have made their goal very clear. Head coach Portanova is aiming to reach the round of sixteen for the very first time.

Group H

Germany
Morocco
Colombia
Korea Republic

Finally in Group H we have European runners up Germany, Morocco, Columbia and the finalists of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, Korea Republic. Colombia having named a strong squad and had a good recent run of games will be looking to reach the quarter finals for the first time.