The start of 2023 is fast approaching. And with it comes a World Cup year for all women’s soccer fans.
Here’s everything you need to know about the tournament, which is set to kick off in less than seven months.
The tournament is set to kick off on July 20 and will run through August 20. The co-hosting countries will play in the opening matches: New Zealand will face Norway to start the festivities, and Australia will begin its run a few hours later against Ireland.
Matches will be split between Australia and New Zealand, with four sites in New Zealand and five sites in Australia.
The 32 teams at the tournament are divided into eight groups of four countries. In each group, the two highest-finishing teams will advance to the knockout rounds.
To view the full schedule for the entire World Cup group stage, click here.
The USWNT will play three games during the group stage, beginning July 22.
Group E includes the team the United States beat in the 2019 World Cup final, the Netherlands. Still, USWNT legend Julie Foudy said the squad landed a “very winnable group” — one that became even more winnable with Dutch star Vivianne Miedema’s recent ACL injury.
Out of the 32 total spots in the World Cup, three are yet to be decided. An intercontinental play-in tournament in February will determine the final three entrants.
Ten teams from the six continental confederations have been split into three groups, and the winner of each group will stamp their tickets to the World Cup.