PREVIEW | Australia v WNT

As 11 players in green jerseys take to the pitch, spectators in the 82,500-capacity Stadium Australia, TV viewers from nations all around the world and those gathered at watch parties at Grassroots clubs across the country will all be tuned in.
 
This is when Vera Pauw’s history-makers start the first part of cementing their legacy. It’s not to be missed.
 
 
MATCH DETAILS
FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
Group B
Australia v Ireland
Thursday, July 20
Stadium Australia, Sydney
KO 20:00 (11:00 Irish Time)
LIVE on RTÉ2
 
 
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Edina Alves (Brazil)
Assistant Referee: Neuza Back (Brazil)
Assistant Referee: Leila Cruz (Brazil)
Fourth Official: Maria Carvajal (Chile)
VAR Official: Daiane Muniz (Brazil)
VAR Assistant: Juan Soto (Venezuela)
Offside VAR Official: Mariana De Almedia (Argentina)
 
 
TEAM NEWS
Ireland have a fully fit squad to select from with midfielder Denise O’Sullivan having come through training sessions in recent days following an injury scare.
 
 
MANAGER QUOTES – Vera Pauw
“As a team, we have always held the belief that something only appears to be impossible the moment it proves to be impossible. What that means is that you must believe in yourself, embrace tougher challenges and step forward to trust that you are ready to fulfil your dreams. We did just that to qualify for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023; now we must be brave once again to make the most of this fantastic opportunity of competing in the world’s best competition.
 
“We might be on the other side of the world, but we feel the support of everyone in Ireland. We stand on the shoulders of the players, coaches, staff members and officials who drove women and girls’ football forward over the last 50 years. We carry the hopes of girls and boys wanting their heroes to perform well. We get to show that the endless hours of coaching and encouragement from Grassroots volunteers that helped to shape our players was worth it. And we are able to give back to those in Irish football who have helped shape this incredible journey.
 
“Our preparation is complete. Our motivation is intact. And our game-plan is set. We are ready. We just hope that we can do the people of Ireland proud. This is our time.”
 
 
NOTES

• Australia are taking part in their eighth FIFA Women’s World Cup. It’s also their eighth in a row, with the only tournament they missed being the inaugural edition in 1991.
• Ireland are one of eight teams making their debut at the FIFA Women’s World Cup this year, alongside Haiti, Morocco, Panama, the Philippines, Portugal, Vietnam and Zambia. They beat Scotland in a play-off to reach the 2023 tournament.
• There are 12 places between the two teams in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings as France are currently 10th while Ireland are in 22nd.

 
 
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
21/09/2021 | Ireland 3-2 Australia, Tallaght Stadium (International Friendly)
 
 
MEDIA
Download official WNT Media Guide
 
 
IRELAND WNT SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion)
 
Defenders: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Áine O'Gorman (Shamrock Rovers), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Claire O’Riordan (Standard Liege), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Izzy Atkinson (West Ham United)
 
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Sinead Farrelly (NY/NJ Gotham)
 
Forwards: Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers)
 
 
IRELAND WNT PLAYER STATS
Goalkeepers
Courtney Brosnan | DOB 10/11/1995 | 23 caps / 10 clean sheets | Debut vs Montenegro 11/03/2020
Megan Walsh | DOB 12/11/1994 | 1 cap / 0 clean sheets | Debut vs Russia 19/02/2022
Grace Moloney | DOB 01/03/1993 | 6 caps / 1 clean sheet | Debut vs Austria 02/03/2016
 
Defenders
Heather Payne | DOB 26/01/2000 | 35 caps / 1 goal | Debut vs Scotland 07/07/2017
Áine O’Gorman | DOB 13/05/1989 | 118 caps / 13 goals | Debut vs Denmark 15/03/2006
Niamh Fahey | DOB 13/10/1987 | 108 caps / 1 goal | Debut vs Portugal 07/03/2007
Diane Caldwell | DOB 11/09/1988 | 96 caps / 4 goals | Debut vs Denmark 15/03/2006
Louise Quinn | DOB 17/06/1990 | 105 caps / 15 goals | Debut vs Poland 02/02/2008
Claire O'Riordan | DOB 12/10/1994 | 19 caps / 1 goal | Debut vs Hungary 07/03/2016
Chloe Mustaki | DOB 29/07/1995 | 6 caps / 0 goals | Debut vs Russia 19/02/2022
Izzy Atkinson | DOB 17/07/2001 | 6 caps / 0 goals | Debut vs Portugal 21/01/2018
 
Midfielders
Katie McCabe | DOB 21/09/1995 | 73 caps / 20 goals | Debut vs Hungary 04/03/2015
Denise O’Sullivan | DOB | 102 caps / 18 goals | Debut vs Wales 17/09/2011
Megan Connolly | DOB 07/03/1997 | 40 caps / 4 goals | Debut vs USA 23/02/2016
Ruesha Littlejohn | DOB 03/07/1990 | 72 caps / 6 goals | Debut vs Hungary 07/03/2012
Lucy Quinn | DOB 29/09/1993 | 14 caps / 3 goals | Debut vs Australia 21/09/2021
Ciara Grant | DOB 11/06/1993 | 18 caps / 0 goals | Debut vs USA 28/11/2012
Lily Agg | DOB 17/12/1993 | 8 caps / 2 goals | Debut vs Philippines 19/06/2022
Sinead Farrelly | DOB 11/06/1989 | 2 caps / 0 goals | Debut vs USA 08/04/2023
 
Forwards
Amber Barrett | DOB 16/01/1996 | 36 caps / 7 goals | Debut vs Wales 20/08/2016
Abbie Larkin | DOB 27/04/2005 | 8 caps / 1 goal | Debut vs Russia 19/02/2022
Kyra Carusa | DOB 14/11/1995 | 12 caps / 2 goals | Debut vs Montenegro 11/03/2020
Marissa Sheva | DOB 22/04/1997 | 4 caps / 0 goals | Debut vs China PR 22/02/2023