The ninth Women’s World Cup - and by far the biggest in the tournament’s history - kicks off on Thursday with co-hosts New Zealand and Australia in action.
For the first time ever, 32 teams will compete in the southern hemisphere, across two countries - and five time zones - to be crowned world champions.
Reigning champions United States are favourites, with European champions England also tipped to go deep despite plenty of injury problems.
Here’s our every group shapes up in the 2023 Women’s World Cup...
Group A: New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Switzerland
Led by superstar Ada Hegerberg, Norway are desperate to make up for a disappointing Euros last summer when they lost 8-0 to England and exited at the group stage. Hegerberg has had an injury-hit season but forms a formidable frontline with Caroline Graham Hansen and Guro Reiten. Co-hosts New Zealand will hope to win their first game at a World Cup when facing debutants Philippines. Switzerland captain Lia Walti is fit after missing the end of the season with Arsenal, and they will fancy their chances of qualifying with Norway.
Group B: Australia, Canada, Nigeria, Republic of Ireland
In what is viewed as the “group of death”, co-hosts Australia and Olympic champions Canada are favourites to progress but Nigeria and the Republic of Ireland could spring a surprise. Expectations are high in Australia and Chelsea star Sam Kerr leads a golden generation of players who feel they can do something special this summer. Ireland, led by the Arsenal winger Katie McCabe, will be no pushovers and Nigeria carry a real threat through Barcelona striker and five-time African player of the year Asisat Oshoala.
Group C: Costa Rica, Japan, Spain, Zambia
Spain were in turmoil last year when 15 players asked not to be called-up in protest over head coach Jorge Vilda and deeper issues within Spanish women's football. Three key players are back from exile and Spain are also boosted by the return of two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas from injury. They should progress with 2011 world champions Japan. Debutants Zambia, the lowest-ranked side at the tournament, beat Germany in a warm-up friendly. A young Costa Rica squad are up against it.
Group D: China, Denmark, England, Haiti
The Lionesses have been weakened by injuries to key players and have goalscoring and defensive issues, but they should still top their group. Former Chelsea star Pernille Harder hopes to star for Denmark in what is her first World Cup, and her side have beaten Sweden and Japan in the build-up to show their promise. They are set to battle it out for second spot with China, who won the Asian Cup last year and could be dark horses. England’s opening opponents Haiti are making their World Cup debuts.
Group E: Netherlands, Portugal, United States, Vietnam
The US are bidding to win a third straight World Cup. They are in transition but go into the tournament as favourites. New star Sophia Smith looks set to shine Down Under as part of a lethal forward line led by Alex Morgan. The Netherlands lost to the US in the final four years ago and are out to bounce back from a disappointing Euros after crashing out in the quarter-finals. They are without injured Arsenal star Vivianne Miedema but should progress in second ahead of tournament debutants Portugal and Vietnam.
Group F: Brazil, France, Jamaica, Panama
After leading Saudi Arabia to a surprise win over Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar last year, Herve Renard quit to take over the French. This could be the final chance of glory for their golden generation of players and they are favourites to progress with Brazil. Legendary Brazilian star Marta, 37, is in her sixth World Cup. Jamaica have Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw, who scored 20 WSL goals this season, and could cause a shock or two. Panama are debutants.
Group G: Argentina, Italy, South Africa, Sweden
Arguably the most open group. Sweden are ranked third in the world and should cruise into the knockout stage, but the feeling is the best days are behind their golden generation. Italy reached the quarter-finals four years ago but had a disappointing Euros when they finished bottom of their group. Coach Milena Bertolini left out long-time captain Sara Gama and is under pressure. If the Italians struggle, then either Argentina or South Africa could take second spot behind Sweden.
Group H: Germany, Morocco, Colombia, South Korea
Two-time champions Germany will expect to win the group and, along with the Lionesses, could be the biggest challengers to the US for outright glory. Second spot behind them is up for grabs. Tottenham striker Rosella Ayane has scored seven goals in 15 games for Morocco since switching her allegiance from England. South Korea are managed by Englishman Colin Bell and knocked Australia out of the Asian Cup last year. Colombia have an exciting crop of youngsters, including Real Madrid’s Linda Caicedo.
