Ireland's women's team are on the cusp of making history. Tomorrow the Girls in Green will walk out onto Stadium Australia's pitch led by captain Katie McCabe to play in their first-ever Women's World Cup. They will play hosts Australia. Here is everything you need to know about Ireland v Australia as the Ireland WNT gets ready to make history.
When is Ireland v Australia?
Ireland will face Australia in the opening game on Australian soil of the 2023 Women's World Cup on July 20th, 2023.
21 September 2021-Ireland v Australia; Denise O'Sullivan of Republic of Ireland in action against Steph Catley of Australia during the women's international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Australia at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
What time is Ireland v Australia?
Kickoff for Ireland v Australia is at 11am Thursday (Irish time), on July 20th. That is 8pm local time in Sydney.
What TV channel can I watch the game on?
Coverage of Ireland v Australia will begin on RTÉ 2 at 10:30am (Irish time).
Coverage of the opening ceremony will begin much earlier - at 7.30am on the same channel.
The game along with all of the other 63 women's world cup matches will be broadcast live on RTÉ.
Read Here: How To Get ITV On Sky In Ireland For The Women's World Cup
Team News
The starting players for both teams have not yet been confirmed for Ireland v Australia but we will update you once they are released. On Wednesday, Vera Pauw said that Denise O'Sullivan had overcome the shin injury suffered v Colombia and would be available to start. This means Ireland are essentially at full strength.
This was the XI that Pauw picked for the Colombia game, which was the same XI that started v France.
14 July 2023; The Republic of Ireland team, back row, from left, Kyra Carusa, Louise Quinn, Courtney Brosnan, Megan Connolly, Niamh Fahey and Ruesha Littlejohn, front row, from left, Marissa Sheva, Denise O'Sullivan, Katie McCabe, Heather Payne and Sinead Farrelly before the women's friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Colombia at Meakin Park in Brisbane, Australia, ahead of the start of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Ireland World Cup squad
- Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan, Grace Moloney, Megan Walsh
- Defenders: Áine O'Gorman, Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Diane Caldwell, Claire O'Riordan, Chloe Mustaki, Isibeal Atkinson
- Midfielders: Denise O'Sullivan, Katie McCabe, Ruesha Littlejohn, Megan Connolly, Ciara Grant, Lucy Quinn, Lily Agg, Sinead Farrelly
- Forwards: Amber Barratt, Kyra Carusa, Abbie Larkin, Marissa Sheva
Latest Team News
The Irish squad suffered a major scare on Friday during their friendly game with Colombia, which was cancelled after 20 minutes due to the match being over physical and dangerous.
During the match before it was eventually abandoned star midfielder, Denise O'Sullivan left the pitch injured, which was a huge concern for both the Irish team and Irish fans.
O'Sullivan has had questions marks over whether or not she would bounce back from injury in time Ireland v Australia.
However, it seems she has won the race against time as she was spotted participating in Ireland's full team training.
Read Here: Colombia Star Claims Ireland Walk-Off Was "Disrespectful"
Where is the game being played?
The game will be played in a sold-out 83,000 Accor Stadium/Stadium Australia in Sydney. The game had to change venues because of the demand for tickets to the game.
Ireland v Australia was originally fixed to be played in the Allianz Stadium which has a capacity of 42,500.
The stadium which was opened to the public in August of last year was meant to host the opening game but the match will now place at the old Olympic stadium, now known as Accor Stadium/ Stadium Australia.
The stadium is the tournament's largest venue and it will also host the 2023 Women's World Cup final on August 20th.
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Who else is in Ireland Women's World Cup Group?
Ireland are in Group B of this year's Women's World Cup. Since the draw was announced, the group has been given the prestigious 'Group of Death' title by many sports pundits and fans due to the very little difference separating all four of the team's abilities.
Nobody is willing to predict who will top Group B as many consider it the most open group in the tournament, just as tomorrow's game between Ireland v Australia is a difficult one to call.
2023 Women's World Cup - Group B
| Group B |
| Teams | MP | W | D | L | GD | Points | |
| 1 | Australia | 0 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2 | Canada | 0 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 3 | Nigeria | 0 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 4 | Rep. Ireland | 0 | - | - | - | - | - |
Read Here: Ireland At The Women's 2023 World Cup: Kickoff Times, Group Table
When are Ireland's other Group B games?
Ireland v Australia
Tomorrow is the Girls in Green's first match at the 2023 Women's World Cup but they will play another two games in Group B to determine whether the progress to the round of 16.
Rep. of Ireland v Canada
Wednesday, July 26th - Women's World Cup - Match 19
- Venue: Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth
- Time: 1pm (Irish time)
- Where to watch: RTÉ2 & RTÉ Player
Rep. of Ireland v Nigeria Ireland v Australia
Monday, July 31st - Women's World Cup - Match 36
- Venue: Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane
- Time: 11am (Irish time)
- Where to watch: RTÉ2 & RTÉ Player
See Also: Carlsberg Unveil Sand Installation On Bondi Beach For Ireland WNT
