Women’s World Cup fixtures today - your guide to Wednesday's matchday seven games

The final day of the first week of the 2023 Women's World Cup boasts an intriguing cocktail of contests.

Group C's Japan and Spain were responsible for two of the most dominant performances from the opening round of fixtures as the pair romped to victories over Zambia and Costa Rica respectively. All four nations are back in action but the midweek treat doesn't end there.

Here's everything you need to know about Wednesday's intriguing slate of fixtures.

Japan vs Costa Rica - Group C

• Location: Dunedin, New Zealand
• Stadium: Dunedin Stadium
• Date: Wednesday 26 July
• Kick-off Time: 06:00 BST / 01:00 EST / 22:00 PST
• Referee: Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi (ITA)

No matter how many VAR interventions went against them, Japan were in almost total control against Zambia throughout the match. The hefty 5-0 scoreline and dominant display encouraged Japan's coach Futoshi Ikeda to target a repeat of the nation's success in 2011. "We would like to take up the challenge again," he said, "to be the champions."

Costa Rica's star player Raquel 'Rocky' Rodriguez came into the tournament declaring: "We have very high expectations. Costa Rica has never advanced past the group stage, so it’s a very specific goal for us." Another defeat would practically eliminate any possibility of passage to the knockout rounds.

How to watch on TV

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

Spain vs Zambia - Group C

• Location: Auckland, New Zealand
• Stadium: Eden Park
• Date: Wednesday 26 July
• Kick-off Time: 08:30 BST / 03:30 EST / 00:30 PST
• Referee: Oh-Hyeon Jeong (KOR)

Spain rattled off an unrivalled 46 shots in a 3-0 stroll against Costa Rica last week. While La Roja boasted 112 touches in the opposition box, Costa Rica managed three. Zambia had just four feels of the ball in Japan's penalty area over the course of a 5-0 thrashing and are one of only two nations yet to attempt a single shot at this World Cup.

While the opening round of matches would suggest a walkover for Spain, Zambia possess more firepower than they showed against Japan. The Copper Queens defeated Germany 3-2 in a pre-tournament friendly by striking rapidly on the counter. Racheal Kundananji found the net in that game but is already a known threat to the Spanish squad after finishing as the second-highest scorer in Liga F last season, with 25 goals for Madrid CFF.

How to watch on TV

Canada vs Republic of Ireland - Group B

• Location: Perth, Australia
• Stadium: Perth Rectangular Stadium
• Date: Wednesday 26 July
• Kick-off Time: 13:00 BST / 08:00 EST / 05:00 PST
• Referee: Laura Fortunato (ARG)

When assessing Ireland's chances ahead of the tournament, manager Vera Pauw offered: "What was it that Jackie Charlton used to say? We’ll give it a lash." Canada, entering the competition as Olympic champions, had more concrete ambitions of success. As centre-back Vanessa Gilles declared in June: "We're going in it to win it."

However, both nations drew a blank in front of goal in their opening games. While the Republic narrowly lost 1-0 to hosts Australia, Canada laboured to a 0-0 draw against Nigeria. The attempts from each side to get off the mark at this World Cup will be well worth a watch.

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!