The 2023 World Cup is upon us.
Thirty-two of the best teams in the world of women's soccer — up from 24 squads at the tournament in France four years prior — have descended upon Australia and New Zealand in pursuit of their sport's ultimate prize.
The group stage kicked off Thursday at 3 a.m. ET (7 p.m. local time) with a matchup between New Zealand and Norway at Auckland's Eden Park, followed by Australia vs Ireland at Stadium Australia in Sydney at 6 a.m. ET (8 p.m. local time). Both home teams won their matchups in front of record-breaking crowds, with the Ferns upsetting Ada Hegerberg's Norwegian side and the Matildas taking down the Irish without their leading star.
The US Women's National Team, which is seeking to make history as the only men's or women's team to win three consecutive World Cups, will begin its title defense against Vietnam Friday at 9 p.m. ET (1 p.m. Saturday local time).
As play gets underway Down Under, here are 14 superstars you need to know while watching the World Cup: