National Teams

Australia overcomes devastating Sam Kerr injury with winning start at World Cup

SYDNEY - Co-hosts Australia labored initially in the absence of injured captain Sam Kerr but a second-half penalty from Steph Catley got them off to a solid start at the Women's World Cup with a 1-0 win over Ireland in Group B on Thursday.

The news that striker Kerr had been ruled out by a calf injury stunned the record crowd of 75,784 as it filtered into Stadium Australia but Catley stepped up to take the captain's armband and score the decisive goal in the 52nd minute.

New Zealand stun group favorites Norway with 1-0 victory in WWC opening match

The 2023 Women’s World Cup kicked off with an unexpected upset as as co-hosts New Zealand stunned Group A favorites Norway with a 1-0 victory in front of a record 42,137 crowd at Eden Park in Auckland.

This was the first time that the New Zealand women’s national team (or men’s team) have won a World Cup game.

On a day that should have been highlighted with celebrations began with tragedy. A gunman shot and killed two people in the same city that hosted the Women’s World Cup opener, Auckland.

Beginner's guide to the Women's World Cup: 5 things you need to know

The 2023 Women's World Cup is here, bringing emotions too strong for words. But not to worry, the article doesn't end now with a profound case of writer's block — here are two videos to get you immediately hyped for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, beginning with the official song of the World Cup: "DO IT AGAIN" by BENEE feat. Mallrat. 

It's an instant classic. 

Here’s how far each team will travel during 2023 Women’s World Cup, one team is over 5,000 miles

The 2023 Women’s World Cup kicks off Thursday in Australia and New Zealand and teams/fans are geared up for the travel.

Soccer fans might remember last year’s men’s tournament in Qatar where the furthest distance between two stadiums was 35 miles. That is no longer the case for Australia and New Zealand where travel will be a major factor. 

Perth, Australia, and Hamilton, New Zealand, are the two furthest host cities sitting 3,333 miles apart. 

USWNT takes first step to World Cup glory with unrivaled suit game

On the surface there's only one battle at the 2023 World Cup — the battle to see who lifts the trophy at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 20. But we all know there are various subplots to follow: Golden Boot, Golden Ball, records to be broken and — one that's raging currently — who gets the best custom tailored threads for the event.

The World Cup travel suit has become an emblematic symbol of sport's most prestigious and distinguished event, and a few squads have already set themselves apart in this department. 

The first team to capture my eye was Brazil.

Dogs predict the group stage for each women’s team this summer, here are the results

The18 and the National Peanut Board teamed up for a unique way to predict the results of the group stage this summer in Australia and New Zealand.

We called up some furry friends, Ozzy and Finn, to provide their soccer expertise. 

Peanut butter is a safe treat for dogs so long as it doesn’t contain Xylitol. The National Peanut Board has seven different peanut butter recipes for dogs listed on their website if you’re looking for inspiration.

Women's World Cup odds: Is there any hope outside of USA or England?

With an expanded 32-team tournament and matches across Australia and New Zealand, the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup (beginning with a crowd of over 100,000 for the Matildas opener against Ireland) is going to be the best in the competition's 32-year history.

The USWNT is favored for a three-peat but that's never been done before, and there will be fierce competition from European champions England, two-time world champs Germany and teams looking to take the next step like France and Spain. 

How a self-taught Detroit chef went from the dish pit to cooking on the biggest sports stage in the world

As the confetti fell and thousands of lightbulbs flashed in Lyon, France, on July 7, 2019, USA’s players climbed the podium to celebrate the fulfillment of a dream that had required years of sacrifice, total commitment and a single-minded belief in accomplishing it all.  

A captivated global audience delighted in what these 23 women had achieved — a historic fourth world title for the U.S. — but the players themselves took a moment to immortalize a staff member whose personal journey mirrored their own with the following chant: “Chef! Chef! Chef!”  

The18's 2023 Women's World Cup predictions

It's time to get laughed at. Here are The18's 2023 Women's World Cup predictions ahead of the biggest (first time with 32 teams) and farthest reaching (first time with two host nations) version of the tournament yet.

The competition's main storyline is the USWNT going for a historic three-peat, but England, the reigning European champions, are massive rivals and aiming for their first appearance in the final. 

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