TASMANIANS are getting excited about the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, which kicks off in Sydney tomorrow night when the Matildas take on Ireland at 8pm.
The event is the third-largest sporting event on the globe and just under 1.5 million tickets have already been sold for the tournament, which runs from July 20 – August 20.
The Matildas will play three group games for a chance to progress to the next round: against Ireland on Thursday 20 July at 8pm; against Nigeria on Thursday 27 July at 8pm; and on Monday 31 July at 8pm.
Football Tasmania is celebrating the occasion with gala days for girls aged 6-12 in Hobart today, Launceston tomorrow and Devonport on Friday, encouraging girls to come and try football for the first time, or improve on their skills.
Football Tasmania is also offering female-only coaching courses, female-only referee courses and its Future Leaders course, to develop the next generation of female leaders in our sport both on and off the pitch, as part of the Legacy ’23 program.
All Matildas games will be shown on the big screen at Market Square in Devonport, and local clubs are getting decked out with FIFA Women’s World Cup packs to hold watch parties and celebrate.
Football Tasmania has also given thirty-six young Tasmanians the opportunity to carry a FIFA flag onto the pitch prior to kick off at the following matches at Melbourne’s AAMI Park:
- Friday 21 July – Nigeria v Canada
- Monday 24 July – Germany v Morocco
- Monday 31 July – Canada v Australia
- Wednesday 2 August - Jamaica v Brazil
- Sunday, 6 August – teams TBC
- Tuesday, 8 August – teams TBC
Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley said: “We know Tasmanians are excited about the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 coming to Australia and New Zealand.
“This once-in-a-lifetime event will leave a lasting legacy for football in Australia, especially for women and girls, and we can’t wait to cheer on the Matildas as they take on the world’s best teams.
“We encourage everyone to get behind our national team, and to celebrate the most-played team sport in Tasmania.”
Click here to see FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 events in Tasmania