Your Guide to the 2023 Women’s World Cup

5 minute read
Updated: | Originally published:

This summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup marks many firsts: it will be the first time the global soccer tournament will be hosted by two countries, and also the first time that it will be staged in the southern hemisphere—where it’s currently winter.

Since the inaugural matches in 1991, when only 12 national teams competed, the Women’s World Cup has grown into one of the most anticipated sports events worldwide, with countries fielding their best female soccer athletes every four years. Thus far, teams from only four nations—Germany, Japan, Norway, and the U.S.—have emerged as champions.

Sign up for ‘Extra Time,’ our new newsletter that will break down the biggest moments from the 2023 Women’s World Cup

The 2023 edition will host 32 teams, its largest cohort to date, including athletes from eight countries set to make their Women’s World Cup debut. This ultimate guide will give you everything you need to know about the upcoming tournament.


More from TIME


When and where will the 2023 Women’s World Cup take place?

For the first time in its history, the FIFA Women’s World Cup will be co-hosted by two countries: Australia and New Zealand. Sixty-four matches will be staged across 10 stadiums over the course of 32 days.

The tournament kicks off on July 20 at Eden Park in Auckland, with co-host New Zealand up against Norway in the opening group-stage match, scheduled for 3 a.m. Eastern time. The final is set to be played on Aug. 20 at 6 a.m. Eastern time at Stadium Australia in Sydney.

How can I watch?

For U.S. viewers, the matches will be aired exclusively by FOX, with select matches on its main broadcast network and others on its cable channel FS1, while every match can be streamed on the Fox Sports app. Spanish-language coverage will also be available on Telemundo and Peacock.

For fans who want to get a little closer to the action, tickets to watch the matches live remain available, according to FIFA.

FBL-US-WC-WOMEN-TROPHY
The FIFA Women's World Cup trophy is seen during its unveiling event in New York City on April 14, 2023.Angela Weiss—AFP/Getty Images

Which countries are competing in this year’s tournament?

The top teams from every region—as determined by confederation tournaments and inter-continental qualifier playoffs, which ended in February—join the hosts (who qualified automatically) at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Haiti, Morocco, Panama, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, Vietnam, and Zambia will be competing in the Women’s World Cup for the first time. This will be the Philippines’ first men’s or women’s FIFA World Cup tournament.

Here is the full list of participants:

  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Denmark
  • England
  • France
  • Germany
  • Haiti
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Morocco
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Norway
  • Panama
  • Philippines
  • Portugal
  • Republic of Ireland
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • United States
  • Vietnam
  • Zambia
  • What team won the last Women’s World Cup?

    The United States won the 2019 Women’s World Cup, beating the Netherlands in France. That marked their fourth win out of eight iterations of the women’s soccer tournament, and it was their first consecutive win following a victory over Japan in the 2015 games. The U.S. women, seeking a “three-peat,” enter this tournament as the favorites, though England’s Lionesses, who won the 2022 UEFA European Women’s Football Championship, are widely regarded as the second-favorites.

    Read More: The Radically Inclusive World of England’s Grassroots Women’s Soccer Clubs

    Who is on Team USA?

    The 23-member roster, selected by coach Vlatko Andonovski, was unveiled Wednesday in a social media post that featured President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, Taylor Swift, Lil Wayne, Megan Thee Stallion, Issa Rae, and Blake Lively, among many others.

    Veterans Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, aged 37 and 33 respectively, will each be making their fourth World Cup appearance, joined by a number of players marking their World Cup debuts—including 21-year-old rising star Trinity Rodman and Alyssa Thompson, who at 18 is the team’s youngest player.

    Here is the full U.S. squad:

    Goalkeepers
    Aubrey Kingsbury
    Casey Murphy
    Alyssa Naeher

    Defenders
    Alana Cook
    Crystal Dunn
    Emily Fox
    Naomi Girma
    Sofia Huerta
    Kelley O’Hara
    Emily Sonnett

    Midfielders
    Savannah DeMelo
    Julie Ertz
    Lindsey Horan
    Rose Lavelle
    Kristie Mewis
    Ashley Sanchez
    Andi Sullivan

    Forwards
    Alex Morgan
    Megan Rapinoe
    Trinity Rodman
    Sophia Smith
    Alyssa Thompson
    Lynn Williams

    When and where will the next World Cup take place?

    The next World Cup, the men’s tournament in 2026, is set to return to the Northern Hemisphere, with Canada, Mexico, and the United States as co-hosts.

    FIFA has not yet decided on the host countries for subsequent tournaments, including the Women’s World Cup in 2027. The international soccer body said in April that it has received four hosting bids for the 2027 tournament—from Belgium and the Netherlands (jointly), the U.S. together with Mexico, Brazil, and South Africa—and a decision will be made next May.

    More Must-Reads From TIME

    Contact us at letters@time.com