Australia vs Republic of Ireland: Team news, broadcast options, preview for 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup tie

Topics: TV Schedules, Australia, Republic of Ireland, FIFA Women's World Cup

The Matildas, who enter the tournament as co-hosts, look to win their opening FIFA Women's World Cup game for the first time since 2007 but will have to overcome the Group B debutants.

The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup is finally here! Four years after the USMNT won a historic second consecutive title in the Lyon Metropolis, co-hosts Australia kick off their campaign to get their hands on the trophy for the first time ever. The AFC heavyweights get things underway with an interesting battle against the Republic of Ireland, which is scheduled to take place on Thursday at Eden Park.

The Matildas will have one goal and one goal only when they take to the field on Thursday and that is to kick things off with a win. Despite their status as heavyweights in women's football, it has been a whopping 16 years since Australia won their opening game of this prestigious tournament.

The co-hosts suffered defeats in the opening game in the last three editions of the FIFA Women's World Cup, which is a record they must end if they are to go far this time around.

As mentioned earlier, Australia have never won this competition. In fact, the furthest they have ever gotten was the quarterfinal stage in 2007, 2011, and 2015.

The 2010 AFC Women's Cup champions have made it out of the group stage in the last four FIFA Women's World Cups in a row but will have to be at their best if they are to overcome not only the Republic of Ireland but Nigeria and Canada as well in Group B.

While Australia have never won this competition and will be looking to dethrone the USWNT as champions, the Republic of Ireland are in unfamiliar territory as they have never qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup before.

The question on everyone's mind is whether the debutants can impress in their first cameo. Fortunately for the Girls in Green, their path to the finals was anything but plane sailing, showing that they are capable of overcoming adversity.

Vera Pauw'side finished second in their qualifying group behind Sweden and were thus forced to fight their way through the playoffs, taking on Scotland at Hampden Park in the decisive tie. The visitors won 1-0, with Amber Barrett scoring the winner off the bench while Caroline Weir saved a crucial penalty to secure the clean sheet.

Since then, however, the results have been inconsistent for the debutants, winning two of the subsequent six matches they have played while suffering three defeats. Additionally, the Republic of Ireland face Canada straight after this tie, underlining the importance of getting a result against Australia. Don't miss this interesting showdown.

Team news

Australia: Kyah Simon and Tameka Yallop have both picked up injuries and are sadly set to miss this opener. Mary Fowler, who scored the winning goal against France in their recent encounter, could start but will face competition from Arsenal star Caitlin Foord. One spot that is under no contention is the no.9 slot as goalscoring machine Sam Kerr will lead the line.

Here is Australia's official 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup roster:

Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold (West Ham), Teagan Micah (FC Rosengård), Lydia Williams (Brighton & Hove Albion FC)
Defenders: Ellie Carpenter (Olympique Lyon), Steph Catley (Arsenal), Charlotte Grant (Vittsjö GIK), Clare Hunt (Western Sydney Wanderers), Alanna Kennedy (Manchester City), Aivi Luik (BK Häcken), Courtney Nevin (Leicester City), Clare Polkinghorne (Vittsjö GIK), Clare Hunt (WS Wanderers FC)
Midfielders: Alex Chidiac (Racing Louisville), Kyra Cooney-Cross (Hammarby), Katrina Gorry (Vittsjö GIK), Emily van Egmond (San Diego Wave), Clare Wheeler (Everton), Tameka Yallop (SK Brann)
Forwards: Caitlin Foord (Arsenal), Mary Fowler (Manchester City), Sam Kerr (Chelsea), Hayley Raso, Kyah Simon, Cortnee Vine (Sydney FC)

Republic of Ireland: Denise O'Sullivan faces a race against time to recover in time for this fixture after suffering a shin injury in the friendly against Colombia, which was abandoned due to being overly physical. FA Women's Super League ace Katie McCabe also suffered an injury in the build-up to this tournament but the captain has returned and is fit to feature. Meanwhile, Kyra Carusa is expected to be the no.9 for the Girls in Green.

Here is the Republic of Ireland's official 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup roster:

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion WFC)
Defenders: Áine O'Gorman (Shamrock Rovers), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Louise Quinn (Birmingham), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Claire O'Riordan (Celtic)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Sinead Farrelly (NY/NJ Gotham), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit), Isibeal Atkinson (West Ham United WFC)
Forwards: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Amber Barrett (Potsdam Turbine), Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers)

Key stats

These two nations have faced off only once before, with the Republic of Ireland winning 3-2 in that friendly in 2021.
Australia's last win in a FIFA Women's World Cup opening match came in their 4-1 victory over Ghana in 2007, losing to Brazil, the USA, and Italy since.
Not only have the Republic of Ireland never qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup before but the Girls in Green have also never featured in the UEFA Women's Euro, making Australia and New Zealand 2023 their first major tournament.
Sam Kerr has a whopping 63 goals to her name for her national team, making her the country's top scorer of all time, including the men's side.

Broadcast listings

USA: Fans in the USA can catch the action live on TV on FOX Network and Spanish-language network UNIVERSO. Those who prefer to stream the game live can tun in to Peacock, Foxsports.com, the FOX Sports App, Fox Sports GO, UNIVERSO NOW, and Telemundo Deportes En Vivo.