Tue. Nov 5th, 2024
Lindsey Horan Women's World Cup
Lindsey Horan playing in a friendly before the 2023 Women's World Cup. Photo Credit: John Babiak

AUKLAND – The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is just a day away from opening night. It is fair to state that this one month sporting event will be the biggest of the summer in the Northern Hemisphere (winter here in the Down Under). Burgundy Wave has compiled some of the top questions about the tournament and answers too!

Where will the World Cup be played?

The 2023 tournament is being co-hosted by the countries of New Zealand and Australia.

Nine metropolitan cities will showcase the games. Five are in Australia including Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Four in New Zealand- Auckland, Dunedin, Hamilton and Wellington.

The grand finale game will be played at Stadium Australia in Sydney.

When does the Women’s World Cup commense and conclude?

The tournament starts on July 20 and ends on August 20.

  • Group stage: July 20-August 3
  • Round of 16: August 5-8
  • Quarter-finals: August 11-12
  • Semifinals: August 15-16
  • Third-place play-off: August 19
  • Final: August 20

How many national teams are playing in the tournament and opening day groups are they in?

Thirty-two teams from six confederations won berths in this year’s tournament. They include:

GroupsTeams
Group ANew Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Switzerland
Group BAustralia, Canada, Nigeria, Republic of Ireland
Group CCosta Rica, Japan, Spain, Zambia
Group DChina, Denmark, England, Haiti
Group ENetherlands, Portugal, United States, Vietnam
Group FBrazil, France, Jamaica, Panama
Group GArgentina, Italy, South Africa, Sweden
Group HColombia, Germany, South Korea, Morocco

Who are the Women’s World Cup favorites?

As of today, woman’s soccer pundits and odd-makers have the United States and England as toss-up winners of the tournament. They are followed by:

Spain 

Germany

Australia 

France

Sweden

Netherland

Brazil

Canada

Japan

Norway

Denmark

Italy

New Zealand

When does the USWNT play?

The U.S. will open Group E play against Vietnam on July 22 at Eden Park in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau. Kickoff is 1 p.m. local / 7 p.m. MT on July 21 on FOX, Telemundo and Peacock.  

Team USA will then fly 641.5 km south to Wellington, while the Burgundy Wave is below them on a scenic train. The USA then prepare and face-off with the Netherlands on July 27 at Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara. This match is also at 1 p.m. local / 7 p.m. MT on July 26 on FOX, Telemundo and Peacock.

 Their final match of group-stage play will be with Portugal, again in center city Auckland on August 1, 7 p.m. local / 1 a.m. MT on FOX, Telemundo and Peacock.

Should the USA win group E, it will face the second place team from Group G four days later.

Sophia Smith
Sophia Smith sideline at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. Photo Credit: John Babiak

Who is on the Lady Yanks’ roster?

U.S. Women’s National Team Roster by Position (Club; Caps/Goals):

GOALKEEPERS (3): Aubrey Kingsbury* (Washington Spirit; 1), Casey Murphy* (North Carolina Courage; 14), Alyssa Naeher*** (Chicago Red Stars; 90)

DEFENDERS (7): Alana Cook* (OL Reign; 24/1), Crystal Dunn** (Portland Thorns FC; 131/24), Emily Fox* (North Carolina Courage; 28/1), Naomi Girma* (San Diego Wave FC; 15/0), Sofia Huerta* (OL Reign; 29/0), Kelley O’Hara**** (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 157/3), Emily Sonnett** (OL Reign; 74/1)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Savannah DeMelo* (Racing Louisville FC; 0/0), Julie Ertz*** (Angel City FC; 118/20), Lindsey Horan** (Olympique Lyon, FRA; 128/27), Rose Lavelle** (OL Reign; 88/24), Kristie Mewis* (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 51/7), Ashley Sanchez* (Washington Spirit; 24/3), Andi Sullivan* (Washington Spirit; 44/3)

FORWARDS (6): Alex Morgan**** (San Diego Wave FC; 206/121), Megan Rapinoe**** (OL Reign; 199/63), Trinity Rodman* (Washington Spirit; 17/2), Sophia Smith* (Portland Thorns FC; 29/12), Alyssa Thompson* (Angel City FC; 3/0), Lynn Williams* (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 52/15)

* First Women’s World Cup          

** Second Women’s World Cup    

*** Third Women’s World Cup

**** Fourth Women’s World Cup

Which players will be representing the Centennial State, and what were their local youth clubs?

Lindsey Horan from Golden and Sophia Smith from Windsor. Horan will be representing Westside Denver’s Colorado Rush Soccer Club and while Smith grew up playing for the Real Colorado Soccer Club.

Why isn’t Coloradan Mallory Swanson on the team?

Regrettably, Swanson experienced a season ending injury against the Republic of Ireland during a friendly in Austin, Texas.

Mallory Swanson injury
Mallory Swanson is stretchered off the field after suffering patella tendon tear against Ireland. Photo Credit: John Babiak.

Who is the head coach of the United States Women’s National Team?

Vlatko Andonovski. This will be the first World Cup Tournament for the Macedonian-American. 

Vlatko Andonovski
Vlatko Andonovski on the sideline coaching the USWNT. Photo Credit: John Babiak

What television stations will be broadcasting the Women’s World Cup games in the United States?

For U.S. fans, the games will be shown on Fox, Fox Sports 1 and Peacock, as well on Telemundo.

What is the time difference between New Zealand-Australia and North America?

Auckland, New Zealand is 14 hours ahead of Colorado, while Sydney, Australia is plus 12 hours forward.

Who won the last Women’s World Cup?

The U.S. won the 2019 Women’s World Cup which was played in France. They defeated the Netherlands in the Final. The Yanks are two-time defending champions having won the 2015 Women’s World Cup, beating Japan in the final.

What is the prize money like for the tournament?

Yes. $150 million is available for distribution to the the players and respective federations.

What is the breakdown of the lump sum?

Federations will receive:

Group stage: $1,560,000

Round of 16: $1,870,000

Quarterfinal: $2,180,000

Fourth place: $2,455,000

Third place: $2,610,000

Second place: $3,015,000

Champion: $4,290,000

Player awards include:

Group stage: $30,000

Round of 16: $60,000

Quarter Final: $90,000

Fourth place: $165,000

Third place: $180,000

Second Place: $195,000

Champions: $270,000

How many tickets have been sold to view the games in person?

With one day to go before opening day, FIFA reports that close to 1.4 million tickets have been purchased for the 64 matches. Hundreds of VIPS and dignitaries will be present to cheer their favorite teams on.

Where to watch the tournament along the Front Range?

At Cheluna Brewing with FC Denver:

https://twitter.com/FC_Denver/status/1679606078114512896

Denver’s DNVR Pub:

https://twitter.com/DNVR_Sports/status/1681799452636643328

Celtic on Market with AO Denver:

SkyBar Cafe with AO Boulder

Colorado Springs Quinn’s Pub with AO Colorado Springs:

Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub & Restaurant

Photo Credit: John Babiak.

Thank you for reading Burgundy Wave. If you want to support us, join our Patreon starting at $5/month. Also, we’re always looking for new talent to contribute to the site, develop, and give opportunities to. If you’re interested in covering Colorado Soccer in any way, let us know.

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