AUCKLAND – The highly anticipated 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup commences this week, with co-hosts New Zealand set to clash against Norway in the opening match at Eden Park on Thursday, July 20, 2023. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM local time in Auckland, or 3:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time for viewers in the United States.
To ensure you don’t miss a moment of the action, below are the important information ahead of the opening round group matches of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
Group A The encounter between New Zealand and Norway will take place on Thursday, July 20, at the iconic Eden Park stadium in Auckland.
Kick-off Time Fans in Auckland can expect the match to commence at 7:00 PM, while viewers in the United States should tune in at 3:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.
How to Watch Live and Follow The FIFA Women’s World Cup?
To find out where FIFA Women’s World Cup matches are being streamed in your territory, please click here. Several countries will have access to live match streams on FIFA+.
For a list of territories with streaming access, click here. In the United States, Fox Network will broadcast the event live on television, with live streaming options also available on FoxSportsGO
| Date | Match | Time | TV | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, July 20 | New Zealand v Norway | 3:00 AM | FOX | Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand |
| Australia v Republic of Ireland | 6:00 AM | FOX | Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia | |
| Nigeria v Canada | 10:30 PM | FOX | Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia |
New Zealand and Norway Facts
This will be New Zealand’s sixth appearance in the Women’s World Cup, having featured in every edition since 2007. However, they have yet to progress beyond the group stage and secure their first victory in the tournament.
In their previous 15 matches, the New Zealand team, known as the Football Ferns, has recorded three draws and 12 defeats. Their most successful campaign took place in 2015, when they managed to draw two out of their three group matches.
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The Match As the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ curtain-raiser approaches, the weight of history bears down on both teams, each eager to make a statement.
New Zealand remains determined to clinch their inaugural victory in the tournament, though concerns linger due to recent lackluster performances.
Norway, on the other hand, seeks to overcome the setbacks from their UEFA Women’s EURO campaign, which concluded with disheartening losses to Austria and England, the latter by a substantial eight-goal margin.
Despite recent reports of fitness concerns surrounding New Zealand players Betsy Hassett, CJ Bott, and Rebekah Stott, team officials have downplayed the issues, attributing their absences from training to workload management and illness.
Additionally, coach Jitka Klimkova will assess the readiness of midfielders Ria Percival and Annalie Longo, who have recently returned from ACL injuries. In contrast, Norway is expected to field their strongest lineup.
Stay tuned for what promises to be a thrilling start to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ as New Zealand and Norway battle it out on the grand stage.
