The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup begins Thursday as 32 of the world’s national soccer teams compete in stadiums across New Zealand and Australia.
The two countries are hosting the tournament for the first time, making them the eighth and ninth countries to host the competition and the first ever to co-host.
Other countries that have hosted the event include China, the United States, Germany, Sweden, Canada, Spain, and France. China is the only country to host it more than once.
“It’s a world tournament and something we’ve been so excited to have here now,” New Zealand defender Ali Riley told the Associated Press. “I’ve been looking forward to this for three years. So I hope the excitement is there and I hope we do well, so that maybe the people who didn’t know about it will hear about it and will want to come to see us make history.”
This year marks the ninth edition of the Women’s World Cup and the first time the field has included 32 teams, expanding from 24 in the previous two tournaments.
The tournament began as a 16-team competition in China in 1991, ending with the United States defeating Norway for the title. The field expanded to 24 teams in 2015.
Eight countries are also playing in the World Cup for the first time. These are Ireland, the Philippines, Zambia, Haiti, Vietnam, Portugal, Panama, and Morocco.
During the tournament, the 32 teams are split into eight groups of four, and the top two performers from each group will advance to the Round of 16, beginning on August 5. Teams will continue to advance with wins, and a champion will be crowned on August 20 in Sydney.
The United States has won four total World Cups, including each of the last two tournaments, and can become the first country to win three in a row with a championship this year.
“It’s incredible what this team has done, and all we hope to do is continue that legacy and push the boundaries,” forward Sophia Smith said. “It’s an honor to be on this team and wear this crest and represent our country. We take a lot of pride in that and the pressure that comes with it, we’ve all accepted that.”
Germany is the only other country to win more than one title, emerging victorious in 2003 and 2007. Japan won the 2011 tournament, and Norway won in 1995.
The 2023 Women’s World Cup begins at 2 a.m. CT Thursday as New Zealand takes on Norway in a Group A match from Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.