Women’s World Cup fixtures today

Monday will see more of modern football’s national giants enter the Women’s World Cup fray in New Zealand and Australia.

Only the USWNT are ranked higher in the world than Germany, who kick off Group H with a clash against Morocco. Eighth-ranked Brazil take on CONCACAF nation Panama as they start their bid for an illusive WWC crown, while Italy and Argentina kick off the day’s action.

Here’s how to keep up to speed with Monday’s World Cup schedule.

With the first game of Group G seeing Sweden strike late to down South Africa 2-1, Monday’s slate begins with Italy and Argentina looking to get points on the board.

Le Azzurre have suffered from some poor pre-tournament results and have some convincing to do regarding their prospects at this World Cup after a poor showing at the Euros last year. They will come into this clash as slight favourites, however.

Argentina have never won a game in Women’s World Cup history but did finish third at both the 2018 and 2022 versions of the Copa America Femenina. With one World Cup trophy already in Argentina, La Albiceleste have a tough task in matching last year’s achievement of Lionel Messi and co.

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Germany won the Women’s World Cup back-to-back in 2003 and 2007 but have only gone beyond the quarter finals once since then – when they finished fourth in Canada in 2015.

The Euro 2022 runners-up are heavy favourites to kick off their campaign in Oceania with a big win against Morocco, who will become the first Arab team to play at the Women’s World Cup. Defender Nouhaila Benzina could also become the first player to wear a hijab at a World Cup.

DFB-Frauenteam do have injury concerns over Lena Oberdorf and Marina Hegering, but with 70 ranking places between the teams those potential absentees won’t much effect the result.

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READ MORE ON THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

Panama are another tournament debutant in Australia and New Zealand. Opening matches don’t get much more intimidating than the Selecao, Brazil.

Legendary goalscorer Marta is aiming to add to the 17 goals that make her the Women’s World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer – she could also become the first player in men’s or women’s football to net at six separate World Cups after Christine Sinclair’s missed penalty for Canada against Nigeria in Group B on Saturday denied her that historic honour.

Panama are ranked 52nd in the world and face a Brazil side still yet to win the Women’s World Cup, despite being crowned South American champions on eight occasions.

How to watch on TV

LISTEN NOW

Former Italy international Arianna Criscione, Dulwich Hamlet’s Brittany Saylor and Football for Future founder Elliot Arthur-Worsop join Katie Cross to have football’s climate conversation about the Women’s World Cup and tournament football’s carbon footprint. Pledgeball’s Heather Ashworth also gives an update on the Pledgeball’s new Women’s World Cup initiative.

If you can’t see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!