(UPDATE 1) FIFA Women’s World Cup Kicks Off in New Zealand
![](https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AP23201299564879-1.jpg)
New Zealand’s Hannah Wilkinson scores the opening goal during the Women’s World Cup soccer match between New Zealand and Norway in Auckland, New Zealand, Thursday, July 20, 2023.
16:02 JST, July 20, 2023
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand ― The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand, kicked off Thursday with a month of intense competition leading up to the final on August 20. The first match following the opening ceremony was won by cohost New Zealand, 1-0 over Norway.
The 32 teams will play in eight qualifying groups, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the round of 16.
Nadeshiko Japan, the women’s national soccer team, ranked 11th in the world, will play their first match in Group C against Zambia, ranked 77th, on Saturday.
![](https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/wwc-openning-0720.jpg)
Performance at the opening ceremony of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand in Auckland, New Zealand on Thursday
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