Getty Images
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand is nearly here. The United States women’s national team are current title holders and contenders once again and will begin their quest for a fifth World Cup title when the tournament opens on July 20. The ninth edition of the tournament will expand to include 32 teams divided into eight groups for the first time ever.
Head coach Vlatko Andonovski final roster will get announced in early June and 23 players will get the chance to defend their 2019 championship run. The team already has a scheduled send-off game for July 9 against Wales. It will be the first time the two sides face each other in international competition. The game will be followed by a special on-field send-off ceremony, giving the fans a chance to cheer the team on before they head off to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
“When the 2023 World Cup roster comes together for the first time in San Jose, it will signify a lot of hard work by coaches, players, and staff over the past few years to get to that point, so we’re really looking forward to having an exciting, productive camp and playing one last match to fine-tune some things before we leave for New Zealand,” said U.S. head coach Vlatko Andonovski. “For everyone involved, the opportunity to be a part of a World Cup doesn’t come along very often so we are going to make sure to appreciate and take advantage of every moment we have together.”
The USWNT were drawn into Group E along with Vietnam, the Netherlands, and Portugal. In what’s great news for USWNT fans, the first two games are at 9 p.m. ET, but the third group stage game will be at 3 a.m. ET, bringing back memories for those who watched the men’s 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
Check out the entirety of the USWNT World Cup group schedule below, with all three games taking place in New Zealand.
All times Eastern
Friday, July 21USA vs. Vietnam, 9 p.m. — Eden Park, Auckland
Wednesday, July 26USA vs. Netherlands, 9 p.m. — Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Tuesday, Aug. 1USA vs. Portugal, 3 a.m. — Eden Park, Auckland