Women’s World Cup fixtures today - your guide to Friday’s matchday two games

After months of anticipation, the 2023 Women's World Cup got underway on Thursday with New Zealand's incredible victory as hosts against Norway, one of the favourites to go far in the tournament.

As is the case with all great international tournaments, the action comes thick and fast from here on in, and there are three games to get stuck into on Friday, spanning three different groups.

Heavy hitters Spain and Canada will be in action on Friday, although both have had major disruptions off the pitch during their preparations for this tournament - being staged in Australia and New Zealand.

Here is all you need to know about the action at the Women's World Cup on Friday, July 21.

Philippines vs Switzerland - Group A

• Location: Dunedin, New Zealand
• Stadium: Dunedin Stadium
• Date: Friday 21 July
• Kick-off Time: 06:00 BST / 01:00 EST / 22:00 PST (July 20)
• Referee: Vincentia Amedome (Togo)

Having seen New Zealand shock Norway with a 1-0 victory in the opening game of the tournament, Group A has been blown wide open. Switzerland will see this as a great opportunity to improve their chances of getting into the Round of 16.

The Philippines are debutants at the Women's World Cup and are not a team that anyone is expecting a great deal from, but we have already been reminded that surprises can happen.

How to watch on TV

READ MORE ON THE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

Nigeria vs Canada - Group B

• Location: Melbourne, Australia
• Stadium: Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
• Date: Friday 21 July
• Kick-off Time: 03:30 BST / 22:30 EST (July 20) / 19:30 PST (July 20)
• Referee: Lina Lehtovaara (Finland)

Canada and Nigeria are rank outsiders to win the tournament, thought the former will have aspirations of getting out of the group and causing a surprise in the knockouts.

With Australia and Ireland to contend with, the battle for qualification could be pretty fierce - Australia are favourites to go through as group winners but Canada and Ireland in particular will fancy their chances of joining them.

Nigeria have the potential to surprise too, making this a huge game to round off the first round of group games.

How to watch on TV

Spain vs Costa Rica - Group C

• Location: Wellington, New Zealand
• Stadium: Wellington Regional Stadium
• Date: Friday 21 July
• Kick-off Time: 08:30 BST / 03:30 EST / 00:30 PST
• Referee: Casey Reibelt (Australia)

Spain should be one of the major favourites to win this tournament and in many ways they still are, owing to the ridiculous amount of individual talent that they have in their ranks. Protests around the running of the national team mean their preparation has been disrupted.

Some players are still refusing to take part, while others have begrudgingly travelled despite making it clear that they have demands that have not been met. As for Costa Rica, they are one of the teams not expected to make any real impact at the Women's World Cup, but they will look to take advantage of any lingering chaos in the Spain camp.

How to watch on TV

Former Italy international Arianna Criscione, Dulwich Hamlet's Brittany Saylor and Football for Future founder Elliot Arthur-Worsop join Katie Cross to have football's climate conversation about the Women's World Cup and tournament football's carbon footprint. Pledgeball's Heather Ashworth also gives an update on the Pledgeball's new Women's World Cup initiative.

If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!