Australia is set to kick off their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ tonight on home soil, hosting the Republic of Ireland in front of over 70,000 at Stadium Australia.
The game at Stadium Australia will see the CommBank Matildas open their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ campaign against tournament debutants, the Republic of Ireland.
How to watch the game! Can't make it to the game? Check out the FIFA Fan Festival™ live sites to watch the game.
Squad News
CommBank Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson named his 23-player squad for the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup™ and talked in the pre-match press conference about the squad he will have available for selection for the opening game.
When asked about the likelihood fo seeing veterans Kyah Simon and Tameka Yallop play in the opener, Gustavsson went on to say.
“I can’t reveal that at this time – I know where we’re at, but I can’t at this time give away too much,” he said, “I keep it close to my chest."
“(But) not only do we know the starting 11, we also know the thoughts we have in terms of game changes and the plan for the finishing 11."
Goalkeepers: Lydia Williams, Teagan Micah, Mackenzie Arnold
Defenders: Courtney Nevin, Aivi Luik, Clare Polkinghorne, Steph Catley, Alanna Kennedy, Clare Hunt, Ellie Carpenter, Charlotte Grant
Midfielders/Forwards: Cortnee Vine, Clare Wheeler, Alex Chidiac, Caitlin Foord, Emily van Egmond, Mary Fowler, Tameka Yallop, Hayley Raso, Kyah Simon, Katrina Gorry, Sam Kerr, Kyra Cooney-Cross
Our Opponent
Vera Pauw's side boasts a number of experienced international players, with skipper Katie McCabe the top scorer for her country in World Cup qualification, finding the back of the net 7 times to lead her country to an inaugural World Cup trip.
McCabe, who plays for Arsenal, is expected to lead the side out on Thursday night at Stadium Australia, despite going off injured in Ireland's 3-0 defeat to France before the team travelled to Australia.
Before departing Ireland the team played two international friendlies, coming-from-behind to beat Zambia 3-2 and then facing a 3-0 defeat to France.
The side's final game before kicking off their inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup saw them play Colombia in a behind-closed-door match in Brisbane, with the game abandoned with just 20 minutes played as Denise O'Sullivan was rushed to hospital.
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan, Grace Moloney, Megan Walsh
Defenders: Heather Payne, Áine O'Gorman, Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Diane Caldwell, Claire O'Riordan, Megan Connolly, Chloe Mustaki, Izzy Atkinson
Midfielders: Katie McCabe, Denise O'Sullivan, Lily Agg, Ruesha Littlejohn, Ciara Grant, Sinead Farrelly, Lucy Quinn
Forwards: Kyra Carusa, Amber Barrett, Marissa Sheva, Abbie Larkin
For all the latest news and information regarding our FIFA Women's World Cup campaign, stay updated via the official CommBank Matildas website.
FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ - Group B Matchday 1
Australia v Republic of Ireland
Date: 20 July 2023
Venue: Stadium Australia, Sydney/Wangal
Kick-off Time: 8:00 pm (AEST)
Broadcast: Optus Sport and Channel 7