The World Cup starts in less than two weeks! We’re here to get you ready with a super-abbreviated Preview Guide to optimize the experience, especially for families! Speaking of which… sportscard giant Panini, known for their World Cup sticker books, just dropped the Women’s World Cup 2023 edition and you can order direct from them if your local store doesn’t have them. You can also see below for an interactive schedule and bracket that you can print out for your kids to get them excited!
How to Watch
In the US, all of the World Cup matches will be on Fox or FS1, which typically come standard with most streaming packages and cable. Fox also has a direct streaming service, and it appears that even the games that are broadcasting on network TV (e.g. “Fox”) will also stream on the app.
The tournament is being held in Australia and New Zealand (where it’s wintertime, yikes!). The ten different venues in these two countries span 5 different time zones, which run anywhere from a 13 to a 17 hour difference from the Eastern time zone in the US. So if you’re planning on catching every match live, good luck managing sleep schedules! Conveniently, you will be able to catch replays of every match on foxsports.com or the FOX Sports App. You can also follow us on Twitter or Threads for real-time reminders to catch key matchups.
We at Girldad Sports have also set up a convenient and interactive visual schedule and bracket for you (downloadable PDF with times listed in Eastern US or Pacific US time zones) so you don’t have to keep double-checking whether you’re scheduling your world cup parties for the right day or time! The brackets are set up to be easy to print and if your kids like stickers (like mine do), we left spaces on all the knockout stage matchups for them to either predict or track winners using standard 1”x3/4” flag stickers (you can order an easy set from Amazon here).
Girldad Sports Interactive World Cup 2023 Schedule & Bracket (Eastern US Time)
Team-By-Team Preview
There are some helpful team-by-team previews out there on the Internet, foremost among them from the UK’s Guardian and FIFA itself, so rather than go through all 32 teams, we are listing just 12 in this preview. Quick Note: player links typically go to social media accounts. We do this as part of our goal to increase the audience for women’s sports—please give a “follow” if you are comfortable!
USA (Group E)
FIFA Ranking: #1
Warm-Up Matches: July 9 vs. Wales (W 2-0)
Why They Should Be Your Family’s Favorite Team: This celebratably diverse edition of the USWNT (the US Women’s National Team) has its fair share of gritty veterans, but the reason your family should be staying up late to catch every match is absolutely to see the dynamic young attacking talent of the US on display. Even in the absence of Mallory Swanson (Pugh) and Catarina Macario, both of whom would have been big parts of the squad but are absent due to injury, the next generation of the US attack is already its present. The Portland Thorns’ Sophia Smith is absolutely on fire right now and as Washington Spirit’s Trinity Rodman showed with her two-goal performance in the send-off game vs. Wales, she is ready to announce herself to the world. Meanwhile, the NWSL’s 2023 first overall pick, Alyssa Thompson of LA’s Angel City FC, is fearless and creative, and has earned every minute of her time with the USWNT despite having just graduated high school. The US is young and dynamic in other areas as well, with San Diego Wave’s Naomi Girma (22) and OL Reign’s Alana Cook (26) set to start in central defense after an injury to longtime stalwart Becky Sauerbrunn.
Probably Your Family’s Favorite Player? Crystal Dunn
While Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan are often portrayed as the face of the USWNT, there is arguably no player more essential to the team than Crystal Dunn. She plays left back for the national team but is really a midfielder, and you’ll see her everywhere—your family will easily find her on the pitch with her special world cup edition blue hair. She’s also a new mom and came back from maternity leave last fall to add a spark to the surging Portland Thorns on their run to the NWSL championship.
Zambia (Group C)
FIFA Ranking: #77
Warm-Up Matches: June 22 vs. Ireland (L 3-2), June 30 vs. Switzerland (D 3-3), July 7 vs. Germany (W 3-2).
Why They Should Be Your Family’s Favorite Team: Zambia put together an ambitious run of warmup games and has shown they are a force to be reckoned with, particularly in an “upset” against Germany on July 7th. They finished 3rd at last year’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and Barbra Banda, their 23 year-old electric forward, is absolutely blazing. She’s not the only star though, with Madrid CFF’s Racheal Kundananji having scored 25 goals in 29 appearances last year in Spain (4 more than Barcelona’s superstar Nigerian striker Asisat Oshoala). You should also keep your eye out for young midfielder Evarine Katongo. There aren’t many members of this team that you can easily catch playing for their club (Banda plays in China), but they are an exciting “underdog” and admittedly, as an African, I’m probably a bit biased—so they’re on the list!
Probably Your Family’s Favorite Player? Barbra Banda
There’s no question about this one. At the Tokyo Olympics, Banda made history as the first player to score back-to-back hat tricks and the world has known her name ever since. She scored two goals in that warm-up win against Germany, and is in incredible form going into the World Cup.
Nigeria (Group B)
FIFA Ranking: #40
Warm-up Matches: April 12 vs. New Zealand (W 3-0)
Why They Should Be Your Family’s Favorite Team: (Okay I’m definitely biased—our family is always supporting the African team in any matchup!). Nigeria is the highest ranked of the African sides at the World Cup, and for good reason. While they lost to Zambia in the third place match at last year’s WAFCON, they have World Cup pedigree, having never missed a tournament and twice reaching the knockout stages. They also have star power, headlined by Barcelona mega-star forward Asisat Oshoala, who has been named the African Footballer of the Year by CAF five times, including four of the last five years. And with three NWSL players representing Nigeria at this year’s world cup (only Canada and Brazil have more), Nigeria should be recognizable to US-based fans. Houston Dash’s versatile Michelle Alozie has started the last 7 matches for her club despite a crowded attack, and while Racing Louisville debutante Uchenna Kanu has yet to find her form in the NWSL, mainly getting a run in the in-season “challenge cup” tournament rather than regular season games, she’s nonetheless one to watch. While we may not see them on the pitch, there were also call-ups for Gotham FC’s Ifeoma Onumonu and Florida State transfer and former Mississippi State star Onyi Echegini.
Probably Your Family’s Favorite Player? Asisat Oshoala
The Barcelona megastar isn’t just one of the best players at the World Cup this year, she’s an African icon. She has her own academy for girls and has done her part to raise the profile of not just African women playing the game, but also African footballers in general.
Korea Republic (Group H)
FIFA Ranking: #17
Warmup Matches: July 8 vs. Haiti (W 2-1)
Why They Should Be Your Family’s Favorite Team: Sticking with the bias… like all other Korean Americans, I remember staying up all night to watch the men’s team make a run to the semifinals as hosts in the 2002 World Cup, and I hope this year is no different! Korea were runners-up in last year’s Asia Cup, and their high-intensity approach indeed is reminiscent of the historic 2002 men’s team. Several players are based abroad, including Lee Geum-Min of Brighton and Cho Sohyun of Tottenham in England’s WSL, as well as Lee Youngju of Madrid CFF in Spain’s La Liga F. The latter two are anchors of the Korean midfield, and there is also experience in the back with captain Kim Hyeri and fullback Jang Selgi. But attacking midfielder Ji Soyun, who won six domestic titles in eight seasons with Chelsea in England’s WSL, is without question the best Korean player of all time and arguably (still) one of the best players at the World Cup.
Probably Your Family’s Favorite Player? Park Eun-sun
While Ji is without question Korea’s best player and its most prolific goalscorer, tournaments have a way of opening up opportunities for true center forwards to shine with clutch goals. Thirty-six year-old Park Eun-sun is still a real target in the box, with six goals in 14 appearances for club this year and a goal in both of two dominant performances in friendlies against Zambia in April. She was the subject of a recent CNN article as well about a gender controversy she experienced a decade ago that is timely and potentially worth talking about with your family considering the politicized narrative of gender in sport today.
Brazil (Group F)
FIFA Ranking: #8
Warmup Matches: July 2 vs. Chile (W 4-0)
Why They Should Be Your Family’s Favorite Team: The Brazilian impact on the NWSL is real, and on any given weekend, US-based fans have an opportunity to see any one of the six Brazil stars in the NWSL make magic. In particular, Kerolin has been lighting it up this year for surprise league leaders North Carolina Courage, with eight goals in 15 appearances. Kansas City Current went above and beyond to keep megastar Debinha from leaving the NWSL when she hit free agency last year, and after a slow start, she’s also hitting stride at the perfect time with 4 goals in her last three appearances for the club. The young fullback Bruninha has been similarly important for her club at Gotham FC, and the Orlando Pride’s Adriana and teammate and Brazil legend Marta are always exciting to watch. Marta has said this will be her last world cup, and given the goosebump-inducing inspirational message she had for younger players after Brazil’s exit in 2019, you can bet they’ll be wanting to bring home Brazil’s first world cup on the women’s side.
Probably Your Family’s Favorite Player? Kerolin
Simply put, Kerolin is in the form of her life and she’s still just 23 years-old. She has been the main reason that after losing much of their core, the NC Courage is in first place in the NWSL heading into the midseason break. Your family will be able to watch her week in and week out in the NWSL when the tournament is over, and hopefully for the next several years!
Japan (Group C)
FIFA Ranking: #11
Warmup Matches: July 14 vs. Panama
Why They Should Be Your Family’s Favorite Team: Japan is one of only three nations outside of the USA that have won a world cup, with their 2011 triumph the stuff of legend. Homare Sawa and Aya Miyama became household names after that tournament, and they returned to the final in 2015 only to lose to the USA. This year’s team is also strong, with the Sawa-like Fuka Nagano of Liverpool and fellow WSL player Yui Hasegawa taking the lead.
Probably Your Family’s Favorite Player? Jun Endo
The Angel City FC star is, simply put, one of the most exciting players to watch in the NWSL. With her trademark pink hair, she’ll be impossible to miss, but it is her joy in the game that you will feel. Her audacious chip from something like 40 yards in the opening match of the season would have been a candidate for goal of the year had it not been called back for a controversial VAR (instant replay) decision.
Haiti (Group D)
FIFA Ranking: #53
Warmup Matches: July 8 vs. Korea Republic (L 2-1)
Why They Should Be Your Family’s Favorite Team: This is a young and fast team. Superstar Melchie Dumornay, who recently earned a big transfer to perennial French powerhouse Olympique Lyon, is just 19 years old but already a prolific scorer and creator. She notched 11 goals in 18 appearances last year for Reims in the French league, where several other Haitian players ply their trade. Notable among them are Roselord Borgella of Dijon, Nerila “Nerigol” Mondesir of Montpelier, and Sherly Jeudy of Grenoble Foot 38 in France’s 2nd division. There are also a number of reserve players currently based in the US as college players: Dany Etienne of Fordham, Ruthny Mathurin of Mississippi State, Milan Pierre-Jerome of George Mason, and reserve goalkeeper Lara-Sofia Larco of Georgetown.
Probably Your Family’s Favorite Player? Melchie Dumornay
Melchie scores. From the midfield. She’s precise with her shots and fearless with her runs. She’s a big player, and she’ll have a big tournament!
Jamaica (Group F)
FIFA Ranking: #43
Warmup Matches: July 16 vs. Morocco
Why They Should Be Your Family’s Favorite Team: Like Haiti, Jamaica’s stars should be easy to follow for the US-based fan. Havana Solaun (Houston Dash) and Cheyna Matthews (Chicago Red Stars) both play in the NWSL. Jamaica also has several college stars in the US, including Ohio State’s Peyton McNamara, Tennessee’s Kameron Simmonds, Notre Dame’s Kiki Van Zanten, and most of all, Florida State’s Jody Brown, who played a big part in FSU’s 2021 national championship run alongside current NWSL stars Jaedin Howell and Jenna Nighswonger.
Probably Your Family’s Favorite Player? Khadija “Bunny” Shaw
Bunny Shaw is one of four players based in England’s WSL, and is another of the sport’s icons and arguably one of the best players at the World Cup. She scored 20 goals in 22 appearances for Manchester City last year and had a similarly torrid run in 20-21 for Bordeaux in the French league, where she scored 22 goals in 20 matches. Her impact on the game is huge in Jamaica and for CONCACAF, and at 26, she still has a lot more to give.
Australia (Group B)
FIFA Ranking: #10
Warmup Matches: July 14 vs. France
Why They Should Be Your Family’s Favorite Team: Of the two host countries, Australia is the better team, and it’s always fun to cheer for the home team! They have a ton of players at big-time clubs, mainly in England (9 total), with a super-powered front line of Caitlin Foord (Arsenal), Mary Fowler (Manchester City), and one of the world’s best, Sam Kerr (Chelsea).
Probably Your Family’s Favorite Player? Sam Kerr
Like Bunny Shaw and Asisat Oshoala, Sam Kerr is an icon. After several years dominating in the NWSL, she led Chelsea to three WSL titles in the past three years, scoring 53 goals in the process. She is a goal-scoring machine, and a pure joy to watch.
Morocco (Group H)
FIFA Ranking: #72
Warmup Matches: July 16 vs. Jamaica
Why They Should Be Your Family’s Favorite Team: Morocco is the first Arab nation to qualify for a world cup, and like many other teams at the tournament, are a young and exciting group. Runners-up in last year’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON), their young core has grown up even in the last several months. While many of their players are based in Europe, Morocco also has a core based at ASFAR in Morocco’s domestic league, led by captain Ghizlane Chebbak. Rosella Ayane scored in the WAFCON final leading the line, and you can catch her playing at Tottenham in England’s WSL.
Probably Your Family’s Favorite Player? Imane Saoud
Even at just 21 years-old, Saoud is a mainstay for the league leading Swiss side Servette. She is a dynamic player and will be a main reason Morocco succeeds at the tournament this summer.
France (Group F)
FIFA Ranking: #5
Warmup Matches: July 6 vs. Ireland (W 3-0), July 14 vs. Australia
Why They Should Be Your Family’s Favorite Team: France’s national team is always a collection of players with diverse heritage, and this year is no different. Like many other of the tournament favorites, France is a mix of legends and youth, with 30+ year-olds Wendie Renard and Eugenie Le Sommer, both from Lyon, joined by young stars like Selma Bacha (also Lyon) and Oriane Jean-François (Paris Saint-Germain).
Probably Your Family’s Favorite Player? Kadidiatou Diani
Diani is remarkably consistent in her ability to rack up a large volume of goals each year for her club, Paris Saint-Germain in the French league. But she also scores almost every time out for France, with 5 goals in six appearances in World Cup qualifying.
Ireland (Group B)
FIFA Ranking: #22
Warmup Matches: June 22 vs. Zambia (W 3-2), July 6 vs. France (L 3-0), July 14 vs. Colombia
Why They Should Be Your Family’s Favorite Team: The USWNT loves to play friendlies against Ireland, so US-based fans have gotten used to seeing them in action. And with 14 players based in England’s WSL and three in the NWSL, it’s easy to catch their players on TV as well. Midfielder Heather Payne is the third active Florida State student at this year’s world cup, and like Jody Brown of Jamaica, she too was an instrumental part of the 2021 NCAA championship run.
Probably Your Family’s Favorite Player? Sinead Farrelly
The real reason you should support Ireland is for the return of Sinead Farrelly of the NWSL’s Gotham FC. Farrelly recently came back to soccer after several seasons away and is celebrated by many as a hero for triggering a sea change in the league by bravely reporting abuse at the hands of her coach in 2015.
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