Today history will be made. From the press conference room overlooking an immaculate Eden Park, head coach Jitka Klimková and co-captains Ali Riley and Ria Percival spoke to a packed media room.

The Ferns are set to walk out to a record crowd for a football match in Aotearoa New Zealand tonight when they take on Norway in the opening match of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.

From co-captains Ali Riley and Ria Percival looking ahead to the opening game

Ali Riley:

“Seeing the field, it feels suddenly very real.

“The preparation has been really awesome for the team playing in Napier. Visiting a community that has been through a lot, I think inspired us and we had a good game [behind closed doors] against Italy. So I think we've done everything we can do to be ready for this moment. And I think just now it's about enjoying it and embracing it and welcoming the world to this beautiful, beautiful country.

“For us, obviously our goal has been pretty clear. We want to win our first World Cup match and we want to make it out of the group."

Ria Percival: 

“We want to win a game. We’re taking it each game at a time, and for us the next step after that is making out the group.

“We’ve worked hard, we’ve really focused on this, and our goal is to inspire the younger generation and all the young kids that are here, not just now, but for in the future. And we want to leave a legacy: that we’ve achieved something and for them to look up to us.”

From head coach Jitka Klimková on the nine weeks preparing the team for the challenge ahead:

“All those nine weeks that we were on the field [has] helped us to be much more calm. I think that the preparation and the hard work brought us [to] where we are right now. And I can really sense in our team and with our more experienced players, with our young players, we really feel like we've done everything what we could to be prepared for this amazing and once in a lifetime opportunity for everybody who is involved with this team.  

“It was tough. It was hard. It hurt many times but, at this stage, the preparation is done and now it’s time to shine and I really believe our players are going to shine on the field.”

Team news

Head coach Jitka Klimková has confirmed that all 23 players are healthy and available for selection.

What’s our history against Norway?

We’ve played Norway 9 times, the most recent being last year in Oslo as we went down 2-0.

Our overall record is two wins, two draws, and five losses.

What should we expect from Norway?

With an entirely Europe-based squad, Norway’s strength is its world-class attack, in particular former Ballon d’Or winner in Olympique Lyon Ada Hegerberg, Barcelona’s Caroline Hansen Graham and Chelsea Guro Reiten. Expect the Scandinavians to lean heavily on their attacking prowess as they hope to get their World Cup off to a strong start.

Players to watch

Hegerberg, Hansen Graham and Reiten. As outlined above.

What’s Norway’s World Cup history?

Decent. Former world champions, Norway lifted the trophy in 1995. They were runners up in 1991, finished in fourth in 1999 and 2007, made the quarter finals in 2003 and 2019, the round of 16 in 2015 and were knocked out in the group stage in 2011.

They were knocked out by England in 2019, and also humbled 8-0 by the Lionesses at last year’s European Championships. Shortly after, Hege Riise, 1995 World Cup winner and Norway’s most capped player (188), took charge. She has also won Olympic gold and the European Championships.

Football Ferns squad

Goalkeepers:

1. Erin Nayler; 21. Vic Esson; 23. Anna Leat

Defenders

3. Claudia Bunge; 4. CJ Bott; 5. Michaela Foster; 7. Ali Riley (CC); 13. Rebekah Stott; 14. Katie Bowen; 19. Liz Anton

Midfielders

2. Ria Percival (CC); 6. Malia Steinmetz; 8. Daisy Cleverley; 10. Annalie Longo; 11. Liv Chance; 12. Betsy Hassett; 18. Grace Jale 

Forwards

9. Gabi Rennie; 15. Paige Satchell; 16. Jacqui Hand; 17. Hannah Wilkinson; 20. Indiah-Paige Riley; 22. Milly Clegg

Norway squad

Goalkeepers: 
 Cecilie Fiskerstrand; 12. Guro Pettersen; 23.  Aurora Mikalsen

Defenders: 
2. Anja Sønstevold; 3. Sara Horte; 4. Tuva Hansen; 5. Guro Bergsvand; 6. Maren Mjelde; 13. Thea Bjelde; 16. Mathilde Harviken; 19. Marit Bratberg Lund

Midfielders:
7. Ingrid Syrstad Engen; 8. Vilde Bøe Risa; 11. Guro Reiten; 18. Frida Maanum

Forwards: 
9. Karina Sævik, 10. Caroline Graham Hansen; 14. Ada Hegerberg; 15. Amalie Eikeland; 17. Julie Blakstad; 20. Emilie Haavi; 21. Anna Jøsendal; 22. Sophie Roman Haug

Match details

Ford Football Ferns v Norway

Eden Park, Tāmaki makaurau

7pm kick off

Article added: Wednesday 19 July 2023; updated Thursday 20 July