Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi. Sorry, we just had to get that one out of the way. 

Welcome to the World Cup, where Australia (and New Zealand…just) is very much the home of football for the globe (at least until the end of August).

What a big year it is for us and women’s sport, watching our team in action on home soil will be something special. More than a million tickets have been sold, with this year’s tournament set to become the most attended standalone women’s sporting event ever. A pretty big deal if you ask us. You can best believe we’ll be donning our green and gold unitards, wigs and flags across the next few weeks, in sports bars across the country. 

But, we don’t just have our green and gold glasses on. There is a very tough challenge that awaits, in some big name top international players who have ascended into the land down under. You might be thinking, where can I watch the team play this tournament? Obviously, the answer is the pub. The real question? Who should you be watching at this tournament? We’ve done the hard work so you don’t have to, here’s a list of the top five athletes to keep your eye on come round one.

5. Khadija Shaw, Jamaica

A Manchester City forward, Khadija Shaw will represent Jamaica on the back of a historic 2022-23 campaign for her club. Scoring 31 goals in 30 games, this speedy forward is dangerous and already her country’s all-time leading goal scorer, at just 26 years old (which makes us suddenly feel very old). 

Known as ‘Bunny’ by her legion of fans, we’re expecting her to go hopping mad this World Cup (apologies, it was there for the taking).

4. Alexia Putellas, Spain

Alexia Putellas is arguably the best player in the world, if awards were something to go by. Having won the Ballon d’Or Féminin, the Best World Cup Women’s Player and European Women’s Player of the Year in both 2021 and 2022. A pretty handy resume heading into the international tournament.

But (there’s always a but), in September Putellas protested against Spanish coach Jorge Vilda’s handling of the team along with several other players, regardless, she’s been included in the squad for the 2023 World Cup. We wonder how that will play out over the course of the next few weeks, we’ll have popcorn ready.

3. Marta, Brazil

Meet Marta, although, if you’re a football fan, you don’t really need to be introduced to this player. Widely recognised as the greatest female football player of all time, Marta is a six-time winner of the Federation Internationale de Football Association World Player of the Year award (2006-2010 and 2018). 

Debuting for her home country of Brazil in 2002, not many athletes can say they’ve represented their country for more than 20 years. Marta has publicly stated that this tournament will be her last, as she chases the one award that’s eluded her for her career, in five previous attempts.

As a legend hangs up her boots, we’ll be giving her a standing ovation in sports bars around the country.

2. Alex Morgan, USA

There are a few names we could’ve pulled from the US squad heading into this year’s competition, but there’s few names that compare to this one. Alex Morgan is the undisputed star of American football, notching up more than 200 caps for her country, scoring 121 goals in a stunning international career. She’s won trophies and Olympic gold medals, and she’s proving time and time again that she’s just getting better.

Taking out the 2022 CONCACAF Women’s Championship, while also being named player of the tournament, all eyes will be on the American as she heads into her fourth tournament.

In any other countdown, we’re sure Morgan would come close to the top, but there’s a familiar face that we just couldn’t leave out of the top spot.

1. Sam Kerr, Australia

Sam Kerr, heard of her? She’s Australia’s champion, our golden girl, one of the greatest athletes to emerge from down under, and she just so happens to be one of, if not, the greatest female player heading into the competition this year.

Returning to captain Australia after a hugely successful season in England with Chelsea, Kerr played a crucial hand in the Blues Women’s FA Cup final victory over Manchester United.

Named the FWA Women’s Footballer of the year in 2023, she became the first ever back-to-back winner of the award. Known for her trademark backflip celebrations, Kerr holds the record for being the first Australian player to score a hat trick at a World Cup – let’s hope we’ll be seeing some of those flips again in July (if not, head down to your local sports bar where we’ll be demonstrating them for free). 

Where can I watch the World Cup?

With games left, right and centre, we’re in for a treat this tournament. Throughout July and August, you’ll be able to catch all the team action at your local sports bar, live and free.

We’re picturing a Sam Kerr goal, with an assist from Caitlin Foord, while watching live with your mates at the bar with a crowd of fellow Aussies. There isn’t a better way to do it. Check our list of top picks below.

• The Ranch, North Ryde, NSW
• Broadbeach Tavern, Broadbeach, QLD
• Magnums Hotel, Airlie Beach, QLD
• Sunnybank Hotel, Sunnybank, QLD
• Sandbelt Club Hotel, Moorabbin, VIC
• Brass Monkey Hotel, Northbridge, WA
• Forest Hotel, Frenchs Forest, NSW
• Gymea Hotel, Gymea, NSW
• Harlequin Inn, Pyrmont, NSW
• Kirribilli Hotel, Milsons Point, NSW
• Pioneer Tavern, South Penrith, NSW
• Breakfast Creek Hotel, Breakfast Creek, QLD
• Centenary Tavern, Middle Park, QLD
• Federal Hotel, Toowoomba, QLD
• Miami Tavern, Miami, QLD
• Surfers Paradise Beergarden, Surfers Paradise, QLD
• Coopers Alehouse Gepps Cross, Blair Athol, SA
• Norwood Hotel, Norwood, SA
• Ramsgate Hotel, Henley Beach, SA
• Watermark Glenelg, Glenelg North, SA
• Bayswater Hotel, Bayswater, VIC
• Burvale Hotel, Nunawading, VIC
• Cramers Hotel, Preston, VIC
• Elsternwick Hotel, Elwood, VIC
• Highpoint Hotel, Maribyrnong, VIC
• Pascoe Vale Hotel, Pascoe Vale, VIC
• Skyways Hotel, Airport West, VIC
• Stamford Inn, Rowville, VIC
• Hyde Park Hotel, North Perth, WA

Where can I watch all Australian games near me? Find your closest sports bar right here.

Find out what other matches are coming up here.