PreviewReds set to embark on Women's World Cup campaign

The ninth edition of the tournament begins on Thursday and here is how you can follow those from Matt Beard’s Reds squad who will be representing their nations on the global stage...

Australia

New LFC Women goalkeeper Teagan Micah will be part of the Australia squad aiming for glory on home soil, before she links up with the Reds for 2023-24.

The Matildas have successfully navigated the group stage in each of the last four editions but were eliminated by Norway on penalties in the last 16 in 2019.

Micah was on the bench four times during that last World Cup and has since made 14 senior appearances for Australia, including five starts at the Olympic Games.

She will cross paths with her new club captain Niamh Fahey on matchday one.

Fixtures (all times BST)

• v Republic of Ireland – July 20, 11am
• v Nigeria – July 27, 11am
• v Canada – July 31, 11am

Japan

Japan have a proud history at the Women’s World Cup, winning the tournament in 2011 and finishing as runners-up four years later.

They qualified for the 2023 edition by reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which acted as the World Cup qualifying process on their continent. China beat Japan on penalties at that stage, though Fuka Nagano scored in the shootout.

The Liverpool midfielder has been heavily involved for her country since then, including starting all three games at the SheBelieves Cup in February.

Japan are in Group C at this summer’s World Cup and their first match is on July 22 against Zambia.

Fixtures (all times BST)

• v Zambia – July 22, 8am
• v Costa Rica – July 26, 6am
• v Spain – July 31, 8am

Netherlands

The Netherlands first qualified in 2015 and lost in the final four years ago, so will be looking to make more progress and go one better this time around.

They begin Group E against Portugal on July 23 and Reds forward Shanice van de Sanden was named on the standby list for the squad.

Fixtures (all times BST)

• v Portugal – July 23, 8.30am
• v USA – July 27, 2am
• v Vietnam – August 1, 8am

Republic of Ireland

The Republic of Ireland have reached the World Cup for the first time and get their campaign under way on July 20 against co-hosts Australia.

LFC Women skipper Fahey started six of their eight qualifying group matches, scoring her first international goal in a win over Georgia, then was in the XI for the play-off victory versus Scotland that secured their passage to the tournament.

Fixtures (all times BST)

• v Australia – July 20, 11am
• v Canada – July 26, 1pm
• v Nigeria – July 31, 11am