Seven days separates us from the first kick of the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019™ at Parc des Princes in Paris, with the excitement mounting with every passing day.
The opening fixture will see hosts France take on Korea Republic at 9.00pm local time on Friday week (7 June; 5.00am, 8 June, AEST), with the Westfield Matildas in action for the first time when they face Italy in Valenciennes on Sunday 9 June at 1.00pm local time (9.00pm AEST).
www.matildas.com.au is running a series of features counting down the days until the Westfield Matildas begin their World Cup journey, continuing today with No.7...
CUP COUNTDOWN: 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8 days to go
WATCH: My Westfield Matildas Story, with Sam Kerr
June 6 will mark 24 years and three days to when journey all began for the Westfield Matildas.
On that day in 1995, Tom Sermanni's women lost to Denmark in what was their first ever appearance at a FIFA Women's World Cup™.
That would begin an era of upward trajectory for women's football in Australia, so much so that our Westfield Matildas have since qualified for their seventh consecutive global showpiece.
From humble beginnings, the Westfield Matildas have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with, attracting high expectations which they are more than happy to meet.
In the past three FIFA Women's World Cups™, the Westfield Matildas have reached the Quarter-Finals, winning five matches along the way and scoring 20 goals, averaging more than a goal per game.
During that time, the likes of Lisa De Vanna and Lydia Williams have established themselves as Women's World Cup veterans, while Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord show the future is just as bright.
READ MORE: Yallop expecting unrivalled atmosphere in France as World Cup nears
WATCH: The time is now, says record goalscorer Lisa De Vanna
GET TO KNOW THE SQUAD: Goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, forwards
FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ – Group C – Australia Matches
Australia v Italy
Date: Sunday, 9 June 2019 (AEST)
Venue: Stade du Hainaut, Valenciennes
Kick-off: 9.00pm AEST (1.00pm local time, same day)
Australia v Brazil
Date: Friday, 14 June 2019 (AEST)
Venue: Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
Kick-off: 2.00am AEST (6.00pm local time, Thursday 13 June)
Jamaica v Australia
Date: Wednesday, 19 June 2019 (AEST)
Venue: Stade des Alpes, Grenoble
Kick-off: 5.00am AEST (9.00pm local time, Tuesday 18 June)
Click below to #GetOnside for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™ in Australia
