It’s nearly time for soccer followers the world over to tune in to look at the perfect of the perfect compete for the FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy as nations battle it out in Australia and New Zealand.
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup would be the ninth time in historical past girls’s soccer groups from across the globe attempt to hoist the trophy above their heads in victory.
Australia and New Zealand will probably be co-hosting the World Cup, beginning on July 20, the place 32 groups will take to the pitch representing their homeland.
Aussie followers will probably be cheering on their very personal Matildas as they battle for a spot within the closing on August 20.
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has named a star-studded line-up, with the workforce trying ahead to enjoying in entrance of dwelling crowds.
“Selecting this World Cup squad has been the toughest challenge so far, but the whole coaching and support staff are all completely overjoyed for the 23 players who will represent the nation during this tournament,” Gustavsson stated on July 3 on the workforce announcement.
“These 23 players not only exemplify what it means to be a part of the tradition of the CommBank Matildas but also what it means to represent the 25 million Australians we know are fully behind us.
“They have the heart, desire and the passion for the crest, and I can’t wait to see the next part of their story.”
The Matildas have by no means made it previous the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals however are hoping with the assist of the house crowd they’ll be capable to make historical past.
Australia will kick off their World Cup marketing campaign in opposition to Ireland at Accor Stadium in Sydney on July 20.
They will play Nigeria in Brisbane on July 27 earlier than returning to Melbourne to face reigning Olympic gold medallists Canada for his or her closing group stage fixture on July 31.
FIFA has named 5 key Matildas gamers to be careful for through the World Cup:
Sam Kerr – captain
Position: Forward
Date of delivery: September 10, 1993
Height: 168cm
Team: Chelsea Football Club, England
The Ballon d’Or Féminin nominee has been chosen to headline the squad as captain in her fourth World Cup.
A distinguished drive enjoying for Chelsea FC, Kerr holds the all-time goalscoring data for Australian worldwide gamers and the National Women’s Soccer League (USA).
The former Young Australian of the Year has additionally received the Golden Boot in three completely different leagues and on three completely different continents.
Her listing of accolades extends to 4 nominations for FIFA World Player of the Year whereas additionally changing into the primary feminine footballer to seem on the quilt of a FIFA online game.
The Matildas captain has been in a relationship with US soccer participant Kristie Mewis since 2021, after the couple met enjoying as rivals throughout their American careers.
They made their relationship public in 2021 after Mewis was seen consoling Kerr on discipline after Australia was defeated by the US through the Tokyo Olympics.
The two have spent their time residing in several nations since Kerr joined Chelsea and Mewis performs for Gotham FC.
Mewis will probably be making her World Cup debut having been chosen to play for her dwelling the US.
Kerr has additionally written an inspiring a collection of youngsters’s books in her spare time.
Ellie Carpenter
Position: Right-back
Date of delivery: April 28, 2000
Height: 164cm
Team: Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon in France
The Cowra native continues to dominate on the sphere, having performed for Australia, within the US and France, the place she helped Lyon win two UEFA Women’s Champions Leagues.
Considered a veteran within the sport on the age of 23, Carpenter made her professional debut at 15 years outdated and have become the youngest feminine footballing Olympian at 16 years outdated.
The star fullback stated the Matildas had been able to thrive on the world stage.
“I think (to Europeans) we’re underdogs I would say, but after that win against England, I think we have a new-found respect,” Carpenter stated.
“Especially when I went back to my club, I think everyone was a bit shocked. I didn’t say much, I just kept my mouth shut.
“I think people are a bit wary of us now, especially at home, and I think after that win against England we’re kind of on people’s radars.”
“I think this is the strongest squad we have had in the history of the Matildas and their World Cup campaigns.”
Carpenter has 61 caps for the Matildas as she heads into her second World Cup.
The Lyon star is courting Danielle van de Donk, who additionally performs for Lyon and the Dutch midfielder who will probably be additionally showing within the 2023 World Cup for the Netherlands.
The couple have been courting since 2021, sharing their relationship with followers on social media.
Steph Catley – vice-captain
Position: Left-back
Date of delivery: January 26, 1994
Height: 171cm
Team: Arsenal Football Club, England
Defender Steph Catley has been named vice-captain forward of the World Cup.
She moved to Arsenal FC – essentially the most profitable membership within the English girls’s sport – in 2020 and has 109 caps for Australia.
Catley shared on social media she was honoured to be chosen to play in her third World Cup for Australia.
“To represent my country in the biggest tournament in the world on home soil is a dream bigger than I could have ever imagined,” Catley stated.
Catley introduced in January she was engaged to longtime companion Dean Bouzanis, a goalkeeper for Reading within the EFL Championship.
“My forever family,” Catley shared on Instagram when the pair bought engaged.
The soccer couple met after they had been each enjoying in Australia for the ladies’s and males’s Melbourne City groups.
Hayley Raso
Position: Winger
Date of delivery: September 5, 1994
Height: 162cm
Team: Real Madrid CF, Spain
The Gold Coast celebrity has performed for the likes of Washington Spirit, Portland Thorns and Manchester City earlier than touchdown a spot at Real Madrid.
Raso has averaged a purpose each different sport for Australia for the reason that begin of 2022.
Sharing her pleasure on social media about being chosen to play in her third World Cup, Raso stated she couldn’t wait to play in entrance of a house crowd.
“More than I could have ever imagined. A World Cup on home soil,” Raso stated.
“I’m honoured to represent Australia at my third (Word Cup).”
The soccer star retains her romantic life out of the highlight however has shared some unbelievable images from her travels around the globe whereas absorbing the solar.
Caitlin Foord
Position: Attacking midfielder, winger or ahead
Date of delivery: November 11, 1994
Height: 165cm
Team: Arsenal Football Club, England
The former Central Coast Mariners, Sydney FC and Perth Glory ahead is able to tackle the world.
Having made her girls’s World Cup debut as a 16-year-old in 2011, Foord has dominated the game, representing her nation and Arsenal, the place she scored 12 targets within the 2022/23 season.
Capped 108 instances and a scorer of 29 targets for Australia, Foord stated she felt “ready” and “prepared” for the World Cup.
“I just want to be there and experience it,” Foord stated.
“It’s been a long time coming.”
Australia will probably be counting on Foord and her attacking mixture with the workforce’s all-time main goalscorer, Kerr.
“Anywhere in the frontline is nice, being among the fun part of the game,” Foord stated of her favorite place.
“I’m just happy to be wherever I’m needed going into whatever the game is.
“I’ve been trying to focus on consistency and just playing the best I can and that’s something I’ll continue trying to do throughout this tournament as well.”
Foord has stored her private relationships personal on-line, solely posting images with mates and teammates throughout the globe.
Matildas squad for 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
1. Lydia Williams – goalkeeper
2. Courtney Nevin – defender
3. Aivi Luik – defender
4. Clare Polkinghorne – defender
5. Cortnee Vine – ahead
6. Clare Wheeler – midfielder
7. Steph Catley – defender
8. Alex Chidiac – midfielder
9. Caitlin Foord – ahead
10. Emily van Egmond – midfielder
11. Mary Fowler – ahead
12. Teagan Micah – goalkeeper
13. Tameka Yallop – midfielder
14. Alanna Kennedy – defender
15. Clare Hunt – defender
16. Hayley Raso – ahead
17. Kyah Simon – ahead
18. Mackenzie Arnold – goalkeeper
19. Katrina Gorry – midfielder
20. Sam Kerr – ahead
21. Ellie Carpenter – defender
22. Charlotte Grant – defender
23. Kyra Cooney-Cross – ahead
Australia will play host to 35 World Cup matches, whereas 29 event video games will probably be performed in New Zealand from July 20, 2023.
The Matildas will probably be up in opposition to Ireland in Sydney on July 20, Nigeria in Brisbane on July 27 and Canada on July 31 in Melbourne in a bid to make it out of the Group B stage.
Canada is the reigning Olympic champion having received gold within the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The Australia and Ireland sport will kick off at 8pm at Accor Stadium in Sydney on July 27.
Meanwhile, co-hosts New Zealand will begin in opposition to Norway of their Group A match at 5pm at Eden Park, Auckland on July 27.
Source: www.news.com.au
