Five San Diego Wave FC Players Set to Kick Off 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off in Australia and New Zealand tomorrow, July 20, as 32 nations battle for a chance to raise the cup. Five San Diego Wave players will represent their countries, as defender Naomi Girma and forward Alex Morgan compete for the United States, goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan for Canada, forward Sofia Jakobsson for Sweden, and midfielder Emily van Egmond for Australia.

The opening matches for Australia, Canada, and the United States will air live on FOX while Jakobsson and Sweden’s opening match will be broadcasted live via FS1. 

Van Egmond and host country Australia kick off the tournament on July 20, against the Republic of Ireland at 3 a.m. PT. Canada will follow that evening at 7:30 p.m. PT as they take on Nigeria. The United States’ first match will be on July 21, against Vietnam at 6 p.m. PT. Finally, Sweden will play South Africa on July 22, at 10 p.m. PT.

The group stage matches will conclude on Aug. 3, with the knockout stages kicking off on Aug. 5. The FIFA World Cup Final will take place on Aug. 20, at 3:00 a.m. PT at Stadium Australia.

The San Diego Wave is kicking off World Cup action by hosting a doubleheader watch party on July 21, at Novo Brazil Brewing in Otay Ranch. The event will start at 6:00 p.m. PT with the USA’s first World Cup match and will continue with the Wave’s UKG Challenge Cup road match at 7:30 p.m. versus Portland Thorns FC. Fans who attend the watch party will have a chance to win a signed Alex Morgan jersey, and the Wave’s signature “La Ola Kombucha” will be available for $5.

On July 26, the Wave will host a watch party at Guava Beach Bar & Grill in Mission Beach as the USWNT takes on the Netherlands.

In the final group match for the USWNT on Aug. 1, the Wave and American Outlaws San Diego will be co-hosting a watch party at O’Brien’s Pub in Convoy.

The USWNT look to defend their 2019 FIFA World Cup title as the country kicks off its opening group stage match on July 21 at 6 p.m. PT versus Vietnam in Group E. Morgan, who was recently named co-captain of the USWNT, is attending her fourth FIFA World Cup representing the USA, while Girma embarks on her first-ever World Cup. Morgan is entering the tournament with 207 appearances, 121 goals and 49 assists for the USA. Girma made her senior debut with the USWNT in April 2022 and has since become a constant player, registering 16 appearances. 

Canada is entering this World Cup for the first time since winning gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and will kick off versus Nigeria at 7:30 p.m. on July 20. Sheridan, the 2022 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year, will return to the FIFA World Cup for the second time with Canada. Sheridan currently has 35 caps and 17 clean sheets for her country. Canada was sorted into Group B and will face Nigeria in the first match of group play at 7:30 p.m. PT on Thursday, July 20, at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

Sweden is kicking off the tournament sitting in third place in the FIFA world rankings and they will be looking for their first-ever World Cup win. Sweden had one go at a World Cup final in 2003 but fell 2-1 to Germany in extra time. Jakobsson, a veteran for Sweden, is entering her fourth FIFA World Cup with 144 caps and 23 goals, including four goals in World Cup matches. Sweden was sorted into Group G and will start group play against South Africa at 10:00 p.m. PT on Saturday, July 22, at Wellington Regional Stadium.

Australia is set to host the first ever co-confederation FIFA tournament with New Zealand while also searching for their first World Cup. Van Egmond, one of eight players to reach 100 caps for Australia, will be representing her country in the FIFA World Cup for the fourth time. Van Egmond has registered a total of 127 appearances and 30 goals for her nation. Australia was sorted into Group B and will kick off against Ireland at 3:00 a.m. PT on Thursday, July 20, at Stadium Australia.

2023 FIFA World Cup Group Stage Schedule For USA, Australia, Canada, and Sweden