10:10
The lineups of both teams are here. After Germany had to do without the long-term injured Giulia Gwinn and Linda Dallmann anyway, Lena Oberdorf, as expected, was not enough for the starting XI after suffering a thigh injury. Marina Hegering is also on the bench for the time being and has to be replaced on the defensive. Melanie Leupolz therefore takes over in central midfield. Otherwise there are no big surprises in the starting line-up. The national team starts in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Of course, up front is captain Alexandra Popp, who wants to reach for the big trophy again at her fourth world championship (two quarter-finals, one semi-final).
10:02 a.m
It is Morocco’s first participation in a World Cup. The Moroccan women qualified through the African Championships. As hosts, they were automatically qualified for the tournament and, with second place, also qualified for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The Moroccans don’t want to be seen as fillers. “We didn’t just come here to fill out the tournament, we came here to compete,” said captain Ghizlane Chebbak combatively before the start of the World Cup. What is certain is that the Moroccans will give their all at their World Cup premiere in Melbourne at 6:30 p.m. local time to put the DFB selection under pressure.
09:55
In Group H, the DFB women’s team meets the national teams of Morocco, Colombia and South Korea. In every encounter, the DFB selection goes into the game as the favorite and reaching the knockout round is actually considered a must. With a view to the most recent tournaments of the German national team, the DFB women are warned. Even before this encounter, head coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg stressed not to underestimate the Moroccans: “Morocco has developed very well in the last two years. The Moroccans will play with heart and soul, they can defend, they will try to set standards.” It will certainly not be a walk to the first group win for the DFB selection.
09:46
Today it starts! The women’s DFB-Elf starts in the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. After the successful European Championship last year, despite the final defeat against England, the euphoria for this important tournament has only increased. The German national team is also one of the extended circle of favorites because of reaching the final in the European Championship and second place in the current FIFA ranking. Against the Moroccan women they want to set the course for a successful tournament in the first group game and of course they are the big favorites in this opening match.
09:30
Good morning and welcome to the first World Cup game of 2023 for the German national team! At the start of Group H, the DFB women will play against the national team of Morocco. From 10:30 a.m. things get serious at AAMI Park in Melbourne. How do the German women start in this World Cup? The live ticker for this opening match starts punctually before the start of the game.