Women’s World Cup kicks off Down Under

Two countries, Australia and New Zealand, are co-hosting the Women’s World Cup for the first time. They will welcome a record 32 teams, eight more than the last two tournaments. Teams will face off in six stadiums in Australia and four in New Zealand, with a 12- to 16-hour time difference from the United States depending on the stadium. New Zealand and Norway kicked off the tournament on Thursday at 3 a.m. Eastern time.

Who is projected to win? The United States holds the top ranking after winning the last World Cup in 2019. Nine players from that team return for the 2023 tournament. In group E, the United States faces Vietnam, the Netherlands, and Portugal. Teams from Haiti, Ireland, Morocco, Panama, the Philippines, Portugal, Vietnam, and Zambia join the tournament for the first time this year.

Dig deeper: Read Ray Hacke’s report in Muse about upcoming changes to the FIFA Men’s World Cup.