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If, unlike me, you possess the composure to focus on anything other than these two opening games, perhaps you’d like to challenge yourself with a quiz.
ONE HOUR UNTIL KICKOFF!
We are inching closer to the start of the game. Can New Zealand secure their first ever World Cup win? Football Ferns fans are making their way into Eden Park.
New Zealand supporters have arrived at Eden Park. Photograph: Andrew Cornaga/AP
The Football Ferns face a monumental task against top-ranked Norway. Photograph: Dave Lintott/lintottphoto/Shutterstock
Indigenous cultures are a prominent feature of this Women’s World Cup. You may have noticed that each host city has dual names, one in English and the other in the language of the traditional owners of the land on which the city is situated.
Tonight’s game in New Zealand takes place in Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau, and if you’re lucky enough to be at Eden Park, you may be able to get your hands on a poi.
It’s amazing. Everyone attending the opening game of the #FIFAWWC at Eden Park tonight will receive their own poi with a QR code explaining Māori cultural practices and more. Kiwi values on display! How wonderful. Photograph: Ben McKay (@benmackey)
Want to see the Matildas? Hurry up…
Thoughts and emotions are running high. Enjoy every moment. To enhance your experience, I have three double passes to tonight’s game. Simply DM me with a 25-word explanation of what it means to you, and I’ll award the tickets to the three best answers after 4.05 pm AEST. Photograph: Ann Odong 🐨🇺🇬 (@AnnOdong)
While we prepare for the first whistle, let me introduce you to some of The Guardian’s team covering the World Cup.
I have already mentioned Suzy Wrack, who will be reporting on all things England. She has been traveling with the Lionesses and will be on the ground in Brisbane for their opening game against Haiti on July 22. You can find her on Twitter @SuzyWrack.
Jeff Kassouf, a women’s football writer and founder of The Equalizer, is in New Zealand covering the USWNT for The Guardian. He has written a comprehensive preview on the team’s pursuit of an unprecedented third successive World Cup trophy. Follow @JeffKassouf on Twitter for updates from New Zealand.
After a busy morning in Auckland, there is football to be played tonight. The World Cup kicks off in a few hours.
New Zealand vs. Norway
Australia vs. Ireland
There probably isn’t enough time in the day to read all the coverage from @guardian_sport, but you can give it a try. 😄 https://t.co/8lRcC5RZHL
Photograph: Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf)
Absorbing the atmosphere in Australia is Kieran Pender, who will provide the latest updates from the Matildas camp and their Group B matches.
As the tournament unfolds, we will have coverage from Jonathan Liew, former Matilda Joey Peters, former England international Anita Asante, and more.
Our first prediction comes from Kurt, who believes the USA will defeat Brazil in the final.
“USWNT all the way! Despite injuries and inexperience, the USWNT will secure their third Fifa Women’s World Cup. They will dominate Group E, defeat Sweden in the round of 16, triumph over Italy in the quarter-finals, overcome Norway in the semi-final, and emerge victorious against Brazil in the final.”
Love the confidence, Kurt!
Our writers have shared their predictions for the tournament. There is a notable number of votes for Australia and Sam Kerr. Can the co-hosts capitalize on their home advantage and impressive form? Jonathan Liew and Suzy Wrack seem to think so.
Updated at 06.46 BST
It’s just after 6.30am in the UK (I think) and I’ve received a message from Melanie in Jersey.
“Football at breakfast, what’s not to like! I’m really looking forward to seeing how England handles the absence of key players, but there is depth in the squad that offers many options. I believe the Lionesses can go all the way!”
Thank you for reaching out, Melanie!
Updated at 06.43 BST
Ticket sales in New Zealand may have started off slow, but it seems fans are now rallying behind the Football Ferns.
Tell me your predictions! How do you think the 2023 Women’s World Cup will unfold?
Some Guardian readers have already given their verdicts on how the teams will fare.
What are your thoughts? Can the USA make it three in a row? Will veterans Christine Sinclair and Marta lead Canada and Brazil to glory? Who are the dark horses?
Let me know by email or tweet @_jokhan.
The perspective from Australia is quite different. The national women’s team, the Matildas, are a top 10 team and one of the most beloved sports teams in the country.
Unless Fifa releases some last-minute tickets for the three Matildas group games, you’ll be lucky to find one as they have already sold out quickly.
A few hours after New Zealand’s opening game in Auckland today, Australia will face the Republic of Ireland in front of approximately 75,000 fans, a record home crowd for them.
As Guardian Australia’s sport reporter Jack Snape writes, international sporting events are deeply ingrained in the culture. Plus, they have Sam Kerr.
Our Matildas correspondent Kieran Pender is on his way to Stadium Australia for the second game of the night. Bus to Stadium Australia is already jam-packed, and tonight is going to be HUGE! Photograph: Kieran Pender (@KieranPender)
The atmosphere is building in Auckland, although it seems New Zealand is a bit slower to catch up with the excitement.
Ticket sales initially lagged behind Australia, but it appears that the opening game between the Football Ferns and Norway is nearly sold out!
Gabi Lardies spoke to key figures in women’s football in New Zealand about the preparations.
It’s still early, but fans are starting to make their way into Eden Park. Photograph: Dave Simpson/Getty Images
The opening game of the Women’s World Cup features New Zealand against Norway in Auckland. Photograph: Dave Simpson/Getty Images
Opening Ceremony
Before the football begins, there are a few exciting activities to enjoy!
The festivities kick off at Eden Park, New Zealand’s national stadium in Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau. FIFA has kept most of the details about the opening ceremony under wraps, but here’s what we know so far.
Mallrat and BENEE will deliver a performance of their official Women’s World Cup anthem, “Do It Again.”
What are your thoughts on the song?
Eden Park is primarily known as a rugby venue, and tonight, the New Zealand Māori All Blacks will perform a haka.
There will be various musical pieces by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and a poem about the power of football read by a group of children.
I’ll bring you live updates from Eden Park as it happens.
It seems the Matildas have found the perfect way to prepare for their opener against Ireland. Is there anything better than patting a puppy to calm the nerves?
Let me set the scene a bit more.
This tournament is set to be the biggest Women’s World Cup ever. Ticket sales are already approaching 1.4 million, surpassing the previous record. FIFA branding can be seen throughout every host city.
Suzy Wrack, The Guardian’s football writer, flew in from the UK to cover the progress of England’s Lionesses and has already gauged the excitement surrounding the tournament.
I believe it’s safe to say that football fever has taken hold.
Preamble
Jo Khan
Hello and welcome!
Are you ready for this? The Women’s World Cup is finally here. It has been over three years since Australia and New Zealand won the bid to host the 2023 tournament, and today both nations will be tested both on and off the pitch.
My name is Jo Khan, and I am thrilled to kick off our live coverage today. If you had told a young me, lacing up my first pair of football boots over two decades ago, that we would have a record-breaking Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, I wouldn’t have believed it. But here we are!
The festivities are just one aspect, but the opening day has taken on a somber tone…
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