With the FIFA Women’s World Cup in full swing, Australian football fans are enjoying a month-long festival of football, with the tournament already becoming the highest-attended Women’s World Cup in history.
But the main focus for Aussies will be around the Matildas, as Tony Gustavsson’s side look to go deep into the tournament.
The Matildas have never made it further than the quarter-finals and went as far as the Round of 16 at the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
So, who are the players tasked with bearing the weight of the nation on their shoulders and when are they playing?
WOMEN’S WORLD CUP PREVIEW PODCASTS – LISTEN NOW!
PART ONE: Preview of EVERY group and which players could catch your eye
PART TWO: Three burning Matildas questions and why their Group B rivals are a threat
WHEN DO THE MATILDAS PLAY? (All times AEST)
Thursday 20 July, 8pm: Australia 1-0 Republic of Ireland, Stadium Australia (Sydney/Gadigal)
Thursday 27 July, 8pm: Australia 2-3 Nigeria, Brisbane Stadium (Brisbane/Meeanjin)
Monday 31 July, 8pm: Canada 0-4 Australia, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium (Melbourne/Naarm)
Round of 16
Monday 7 August, 8:30pm: 1st Group B (Australia) 2-0 2nd Group D (Denmark), Stadium Australia (Sydney/Gadigal)
Quarter-Final
Saturday 12 August, 5pm: Winner of Game 5 (Australia) v Winner of Game 7 (France v Morocco), Brisbane Stadium (Brisbane/Meeanjin)
Semi-Final
Wednesday 16 August, 8pm: (Potentially Australia) v Winner of Game D (England v Colombia/Jamaica), Stadium Australia (Sydney/Gadigal)
Final
Sunday 20 August, 8pm: (Potentially Australia) v (Spain, Netherlands, Japan or Sweden), Stadium Australia (Sydney/Gadigal)
‘We can go all the way’: Matildas’ next rivals locked in as path to glory confirmed
WHO IS IN THE MATILDAS SQUAD?
Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold (West Ham), Teagan Micah (FC Rosengard), Lydia Williams (Brighton)
Defenders: Ellie Carpenter (Lyon), Steph Catley (Arsenal), Charlotte Grant (Vittsjo GIK), Clare Hunt (Western Sydney Wanderers), Alanna Kennedy (Manchester City), Aivi Luik (BK Hacken), Courtney Nevin (Leicester City), Clare Polkinghorne (Vittsjo GIK)
Midfielders: Alex Chidiac (Racing Louisville), Kyra Cooney-Cross (Hammarby IF), Katrina Gorry (Vittsjo 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 (Real Madrid), Kyah Simon (unattached), Cortnee Vine (Sydney FC)
MATILDAS SQUAD: What you need to know about every Aussie