The 2023 Women's World Cup begins on Thursday when co-hosts New Zealand take on Norway as both look to start the tournament on a high. New Zealand are chasing a World Cup first and hope home field advantage applies to them, especially against a Norway team with a point to prove after a year-long rebuild.
Here are the storylines ahead of the first match of the World Cup:
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How to watch and odds
- Date: Thursday, July 20 | Time: 3 a.m. ET
- Location: Eden Park -- Auckland, New Zealand
- TV: Fox, Telemundo | Live stream: Peacock, futoTV (try for free)
- Odds: New Zealand +950; Draw +420; Norway -380 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Storylines
New Zealand: The co-hosts aim to record their first ever win at the World Cup this time around, but it will not be an easy task against Norway. New Zealand will rely on fullbacks CJ Bott and Ali Riley to keep things tidy in the back and then push play forward, but the team is not necessarily known for attacking prowess.
Norway: A year after a shock group stage exit from the Women's Euro that included an 8-0 drubbing by England, Norway is searching for redemption under new manager Hege Riise. Riise's Norway prioritizes defense, but offers plenty up top with Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen on the team. Ballon d'Or Hegerberg returns to the World Cup after skipping the 2019 tournament because of a dispute over equal treatment and failing to score a goal at the Euros last year, and may lead the team's reboot Down Under.
Prediction
There may not be a lot of goals in this one, but Norway seems poised to deliver the goods considering it traveled to New Zealand with two of the world's best strikers in Hegerberg and Graham Hansen. Pick: New Zealand 0, Norway 2.
