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As the squads have been adjusting to Australia and New Zealand over the last few weeks, many coaches and staff members have been doing what the rest of the public does, bouncing around news stories about the different teams to see how they are doing. It is the point at which an international tournament takes on that enticingly self-contained quality. All eyes still go to the USA, especially with this being Megan Rapinoe’s last World Cup, and the squad looking to see her off with a historic third successive victory. As the defending champions themselves look around the field, though, they aren’t seeing what they used to. There is the usual confidence, of course, but also some caution. The gap between them and the rest of the teams isn’t as big. Rapinoe’s retirement may well close out a wider era, since the dominant factor in women’s football over the last decade has been how the USA have enjoyed much longer-term development than the rest of the game. That has been seen as especially influential as regards physical conditioning, but the general feeling is that the European game and Australia have caught up. England would certainly have no fears there, especially given how they beat the USA in that signpost match back in October. This could well be a threshold tournament. In many ways, of course, that’s the way to describe almost every women’s tournament at this stage of the game’s development. It is evolving at such a pace that every competition brings something new. Australia and New Zealand will still have had so much more than most when viewed from the perspective of history. It is fittingly the biggest ever, matching the men’s with 32 teams and spanning across two countries for the first time, just at a point when football cultures like England’s enjoy a boom of interest and Spain’s sees some of the best-attended fixtures on the planet. There’s then the joyous buzz around both New Zealand and Australia, the latter host nation looking to carry that emotional momentum all the way to the trophy itself. If ever there was a time for the tournament to expand, it’s now. That has still brought the counter-argument that it has expanded too quickly and it will merely create a group stage that is essentially a pre-tournament characterised by mismatches. There’s a real sense – not least among the eight to 12 teams genuinely believing they can go all the way - that the “real World Cup” won’t start until the last-16 in August. That is likely to be one cost of expansion, but the real question is whether it is outweighed by the value. That could be an emphatic yes, especially when you consider the value that can’t be measured. That is the excitement that is going to be felt in the competing countries, especially the eight debutants reaching this stage for the first time, or those unused to such a level. Put simply, new heroes and influences will be born. New memories will be created. That may seem trite, but you only have to look at last summer in England for the truth of it. There's nothing like the buzz that participation brings. Ireland are almost the perfect example in this sense. They form one of a burgeoning middle class of sides, between the favourites and the minnows, who are mostly hoping to develop in this campaign. There are so many banners put up around the country and the team have regularly been on television. Imagine this replayed a few times over, particularly in the Philippines and Morocco. Many traditional men’s football cultures feel the same. Argentina are desperate for a first win. Italy, Portugal and Denmark are seeking the next step up. This has played into the tournament’s second game perhaps being the biggest event of the opening stage. Australia-Ireland will hopefully set a tone in terms of atmosphere. Aside from launching what the hosts hope will be a victorious campaign, it has had immense interest from the huge Irish diaspora in the region. That has already seen it moved from Sydney Football Stadium to the 83,500-capacity Stadium Australia. It is a match to savour, for all sorts of reasons. It is also one that inadvertently points to some of the other challenges posed by this World Cup’s specific stage. As glorious as Australia and New Zealand are as hosts, there is the slight pity that it is this tournament that arrives just as Europe becomes so invested in the women’s game and so many of the continent's sides see themselves as winners. Their games will be far from prime time. That did play into the unfortunate delay on broadcasting rights in Europe, even if there was the sense that some broadcasters sought to cynically use this excuse to low-ball Fifa. Late-morning and afternoon kick-offs are still great for the many children that form the Women’s World Cup audience, given its more diverse demographics. It’s not just time that’s an issue, though. There’s the distance, which has meant Ireland are one of the few nations taking up anything close to their full allocations. Some sources within fan groups have been critical of the sales campaigns from both Fifa and federations, arguing they didn’t undertake anything like the same processes as with the men’s World Cup. “Some just didn’t bother selling tickets,” one connected figure says. “Others only gave fans a few days. There should be additional impetus for a women’s tournament, but it was the opposite. A collective failure.” The distance has played a part in another concern. It is hugely expensive for federations to travel. This has actually been mentioned in fractious negotiations between the Football Association and the England squad, as the players seek bonus payments that match similar elite nations in USA and Australia. Remarkably for a side that could win the whole competition, the issue has not been resolved as the World Cup starts, with Sarina Wiegman’s team merely willing to postpone discussions. The players have made the point that it just shows much still has to be fought for in the women’s game. South Africa and Nigeria have faced more extreme disputes. This is still one area where, for all justified criticism in so many other areas, Fifa do deserve the credit. The landmark stipulation that 60 per cent of prize money is guaranteed for each individual player is both game-changing and, in many cases, life-changing. It is again fitting for a tournament that feels new and is itself enriched by thrilling sporting vitality. There has never been a women’s World Cup as open as this. If the group stage may be characterised by mismatches, the knockouts are likely to be the complete opposite and feature an exhilarating concentration of quality and truly unpredictable games. USA remain the favourites but injury issues that have been an unfortunate addition to the general build-up – with so many ACL problems – have ensured they aren’t what they were. A powerful Germany now run them very close, leading a fine group of sides where the gaps between them are shorter and shorter. England of course defeated that German side in the Euro 2022 final, before going on to beat the world champions and have the assurance from that, even amid injury problems of their own. Spain are perhaps the most technically luscious team in the World Cup, France the most outrageously talented. Australia have many of those qualities and more, as Sweden and the Netherlands themselves seek to make strides forward. All of this is further fired by the kind of captivating storylines that really create great tournaments, as well as the moments that create memories. Rapinoe is one of a few greats bowing out, as Marta bestows her experience on an exciting young Brazilian generation, and Canada seek to suitably close the career of the great Christine Sinclair. Alexis Putellas, meanwhile, returns for Spain, determined to take command and take the chance of the kind of tournament she should have had at Euro 2022 before being denied by injury. That is framed by all the controversy around her squad and the refusal of some players to appear under coach Jorge Vilda. He may be looking to enjoy a redemption, as another male coach – the charismatic Herve Renard – becomes the first manager in history to participate in two World Cups in the space of a year. The Frenchman can take his home nation much further than he did a redoubtable Saudi Arabia in Qatar. The stage is really being set for the real stars, though. They are Putellas, Rapinoe, Sinclair, Netherlands’ Jill Roord, France’s Wendie Renard, Germany’s Alexandra Popp, Sweden’s Stina Blackstenius, USA’s Sophia Smith, Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala and – maybe above everyone – home star Sam Kerr, all leading a supreme cast. Some will score goals that enter the archives. Some players will dazzle from out of nowhere. Others will suffer mishaps and misfortune. A precious few will enjoy those defining individual campaigns that decide their teams’ legacies and, ultimately, the tournament itself. This is what makes a World Cup. This one has factors like no other before. History will be made in numerous ways. For that grand conclusion, England are one of a few countries realistically dreaming of their first World Cup win. USA are going for an unprecedented third in a row. Most eyes remain on the champions. More eyes than ever are on the Women’s World Cup itself. Read More Women’s World Cup 2023: Group guides and players to watch for every team England’s Lionesses park controversial bonus row on eve of Women’s World Cup England’s World Cup hinges on a defining question Can France handle injuries after overcoming Women’s World Cup crisis? Can Spain regroup from mutiny to challenge for the Women’s World Cup? Are the United States still the team to beat at the Women’s World Cup?

There'll be 32 national teams competing across Australia and New Zealand in the Women’s World Cup

Jack Grealish has been praised for appearing to donate £5,000 to a 20-year-old Birmingham City fan who was given only weeks to live. The former Aston Villa star put old rivalries aside to donate the money to Dylan Lamb, who is battling blood cell cancer, according to an entry on GoFundMe. Lamb’s family have put together a £1m appeal on the fundraising site to raise money for a clinical trial of treatment in America. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter One of the more than 7,000 donations was seemingly that of the Manchester City and England winger, whose contribution was the highest valued. Dylan’s sister-in-law Kelly Payne said: “We've been sending the appeal to loads of footballers – I think he probably saw it.” Meanwhile another person on social media, a Swansea City fan, said Grealish “continues to show how much of a class act he is. And that not all footballers are out of touch with the fans .. Living his best life at the same time.” Another person tweeted: “Fantastic gesture by Jack Grealish for a great cause #bcfc #mcfc.” Grealish previously made headlines after donating £5,000 towards a friend and a Villa fan's funeral after his tragic death earlier this year. The 27-year-old footballer’s rivalry with Birmingham City is a deep one. Not only did he captain the club’s arch nemeses Aston Villa, but a Birmingham supporter once invaded the pitch during a clash between the two to punch Grealish in the head. The then-Villa player eventually went on to score the winning goal in that match. Dylan's mother, Kim Veitch, said: “Wow, we as Dylan's family and friends cannot even begin to express enough of our gratitude for all the donations, shares, and messages of support (the messages really are helping us to stay positive). “We really feel the love and prayers and we would like to thank each and every one of you individually for your support. Dylan is so touched by it all and sends his sincere thanks too. Please, please, please keep sharing his story so we can get it out to as many people as possible.. “Please please please keep pushing and sharing, to help get Dylan the treatment he needs and deserves. He has fought so long and hard, let's carry him the rest of the way. Much love!” Birmingham City FC added on Twitter: “Blues supporter Dylan, 20, is currently fighting for his life, with his best chance of survival being a clinical trial in the US. Due to his life expectancy, he has just weeks to hit his target”. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Manchester United are in advanced talks with Atalanta over a deal for Rasmus Hojlund, with the Premier League club negotiating how much of the fee will be made up of add-ons. United are getting closer to an agreement for the No 9, and initial expectations that the price could be as high as £80million have been tempered. There is now hope that a deal can be struck for around £60m. That would bring a successful summer of recruitment in under budget and compliant with Financial Fair Play, with sales potentially allowing the purchase of Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat in midfield. Contact has already been made there, and the basics of a deal have been set up. United are now much more advanced in their talks with Hojlund, 20, who has agreed personal terms and is excited about the prospect of going to Old Trafford this summer. That does not necessarily mean the signing will be imminent, however, as the nature of negotiations over intricacies and terms is expected to take time. There is nevertheless an increasing confidence that the move will be completed. Should it happen, Denmark international Hojlund would represent the first major striker to move this summer, in what is seen as the most competitive market of all. Read More More than ever, Man Utd must prove they are a ‘selling club’ Carey pays for haircut and Broad is sledged – Tuesday’s sporting social Marcus Rashford signs new five-year deal at Manchester United

Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has signed a two-year deal with French club Lorient. Mendy left Man City last month at the expiration of his contract, having not played for the Premier League and Champions League winners since 2021. The 29-year-old was cleared of rape and attempted rape at Chester Crown Court last week. Mendy, who progressed through Le Harve’s academy before establishing himself during three seasons at Marseille, joined City in 2017 for a reported fee of £52m after a solitary campaign with Monaco. He would go on to be involved in three Premier League title wins with Pep Guardiola’s side but his last appearance occurred during the opening game of the 2021-22 in defeat at Tottenham. Later that same month, Mendy was reprimanded in custody after being charged with four counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in August 2021. City suspended the French full-back, who was granted bail the following January but only after being charged with three more counts of rape. In May 2022, Mendy pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape, one attempted rape and one sexual assault. The next month he was charged with another count of rape, and in September he was found not guilty on one charge of rape. Mendy was found not guilty of six counts of rape and one court of sexual assault in January, but the same jury could not reach a verdict on another count of rape and one count of attempted rape. It saw a retrial and last week Mendy was found not guilty of one charge of rape and one charge of attempted rape, which has allowed the defender to resume his professional career. Lorient finished 10th in Ligue 1 last season under Regis Le Bris and the player will begin work with his new club on Wednesday. “FC Lorient is pleased to announce today the signing for two seasons of French international left-back Benjamin Mendy,” a club statement read. “The native of Longjumeau, who will wear number five with the Merlus, will take his first steps at Espace FCL today. Welcome Benjamin!”

The Women's World Cup is about to kick off in Australia. England are coming into the competition off the back of their Euros win but injuries have blighted the team and dented their chances. So who will win the World Cup? And which players will shine at the tournament? Sports reporter Sonia Twigg answers your questions on what might happen at the World Cup and who's looking good to lift the trophy. Keep up to date with all the latest Women's World Cup news on Independent Sport.

Randy Waldrum’s criticism of the Nigerian soccer federation and the rebuke he received in return overshadowed the Super Falcons' buildup to the Women's World Cup

The world’s finest in women’s football have descended upon Australia and New Zealand for the ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Here, the PA news agency picks out five players who could shine at the global showpiece. Lauren James (England) The 21-year-old forward has both England fans and pundits alike buzzing after a stellar season with Chelsea, where she scored seven goals and provided two assists in 26 matches played across the Women’s Super League and Champions League. While the World Cup will be James’ first major international tournament, she has plenty of experience in high-stakes situations with Emma Hayes’ WSL and FA Cup-winning Blues. The one-time PFA Young Player of the Year nominee is aggressive and opportunistic with the ball while also displaying what often feels like effortless control, and says she is keen to carve out an identity separate to that of her older brother, Chelsea and England defender Reece James. This opportunity could well accelerate that mission. Trinity Rodman (USA) Rodman can no doubt relate to James – she is also a 21-year-old forward who is often mentioned in the same breath as her own famous relative, ex-NBA player dad Dennis Rodman. But the 2021 National Women’s Soccer League Rookie of the Year and 2022 Ballon D’Or nominee has more than earned her solo spotlight since she became, at age 18, the youngest player drafted into the NWSL. And last February she extended her stay at Washington Spirit with what was widely reported to be a league record-breaking USD1.1 million, four-year deal. Rodman seems to be in fine form ahead of the USA’s tournament opener against Vietnam after bagging a second-half brace in the Americans’ 2-0 win over Wales in a friendly earlier this month. Khadija Shaw (Jamaica) ‘Bunny’ Shaw will be a familiar face to many from her time with the WSL’s Manchester City, particularly after a 2022/23 season in which she finished second only to England and Aston Villa forward Rachel Daly for the most goals scored in the English top flight. The 26-year-old Reggae Girlz captain, who recently extended her stay at City until 2026, concluded her second season with 31 goals in 30 games and in the process became the highest-scoring women’s player across a single campaign in the club’s history. Shaw is the first Caribbean player to win the CONCACAF Women’s Player of the Year award, and Jamaica will rely on the skipper’s leadership when they embark on just their second World Cup finals in a difficult Group F that includes heavy-hitters Brazil and France alongside Panama. Sam Kerr (Australia) Prolific striker Sam Kerr is precisely the sort of player you want on your side in those dig-deep, do-or-die situations when the pressure is at its most intense. Fortunately for tournament co-hosts Australia, the 29-year-old back-flipping forward is one of their very own and could well be the weapon that ultimately deals the tournament-ending blow to two of World Cup debutants Republic of Ireland, Olympic champions Canada and Nigeria to send the Matildas into the knockout stage. Chelsea boss Hayes has heaped praise on the ‘FIFA 23’ cover woman for her steely focus until the final whistle, often paying off in result-deciding goals like the one that won the Blues this year’s FA Cup. Kerr also scored in England’s only loss under head coach Sarina Wiegman, a 2-0 upset for the Lionesses against Australia in their April friendly. Lena Oberdorf (Germany) Germany’s young midfield star will be looking for retribution after narrowly missing out Euro 2022 glory last summer, when her side lost 2-1 to England in their dramatic Wembley final, although she did walk away with Young Player of the Tournament honours. Though also just 21, the Wolfsburg talent will be making her second World Cup appearance, having made her debut in the 2019 French edition aged 17, where she sat school exams during the tournament. Known for taking initiative, winning back possession and her well-timed challenges, Oberdorf will be a key cog in a strong German side’s title hopes as one of the tournament favourites kick off their campaign with group H matches against Morocco, Colombia and South Korea. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live The numbers behind Australia’s decade of dominance as England draw Ashes Amber Barrett hoping Republic can follow example of Morocco’s men at World Cup Katie McCabe urges Republic of Ireland to harness spirit of underdog Down Under

Arsenal’s new striker Kai Havertz has been described as some pundits as one of the Premier League’s great untapped talents – but he didn’t show that side in a recent challenge captured on social media. The 24-year-old German came in for mockery at the hands of Chelsea fans, his former club, after he failed to score a single point in the volleying portion of the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge. Havertz became the first person in the short history of the event to never score a single point in the cross-then-volley challenge. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Chelsea fans were delighted to see their former star, who they sold to rivals Arsenal for £65m last month, struggling at the event. One wrote: “Honestly, we tried to warn them [Arsenal] bro. They were too worried about ‘getting our best player’. We are just laughing all the way to the bank, big money, and free from this fraud. Tell me I get to watch free-flowing football again.” Arsenal fans, meanwhile, were disappointed with the performance. “It's not looking good honestly,” wrote one Gunners supporter. “I'm already getting livid especially after buying him for that amount. Let's hope he comes good.” Another Arsenal fan said: “We ordered the wrong Kai Havertz online.” “Now I understand why Mikel Arteta said Havertz will be playing in the midfield this season,” another fan wrote. However, ESPN journalist Herculez Gomez said: “Champions League Final winning goal. World Cup goals. Eff the memes. Remember that.” Havertz will hope to get the opportunity to show a more all-round skill set on Wednesday night during the MLS All-Star Game. Then, Arsenal will play Manchester United at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, before taking on Barcelona in Los Angeles to wrap up their pre-season tour. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Republic of Ireland forward Amber Barrett hopes her side can draw on the Moroccan men’s example and defy their proudly-worn underdog status at the World Cup. In October, Barrett was the woman who booked the Girls in Green’s trip to Australia and a maiden global showpiece when she netted the deciding goal with her first touch in the Republic’s 1-0 play-off victory, stunning Scotland at Hampden Park. The FIFA world number 22-ranked Republic face a tough challenge in Group B, opening their campaign on Thursday at a sold-out Stadium Australia against 10th-placed co-hosts the Matildas before facing Olympic champions Canada, ranked seventh, six days later. Barrett said: “I went through the World Cup groups a couple of days ago and there’s not really any other group that you’re saying, ‘Oh, I’d love to be in that group’, because all of the groups are difficult. “At the end of the day you’re at a World Cup, and you’re playing against the 32 best teams in the world. They’ve all qualified for a World Cup. Ranking and all that goes out the window. “Looking back to the men’s World Cup, it showed, Morocco getting to a semi-final, who would have said that was going to happen pre-tournament? “I think at this stage, we’re just really, really going to enjoy every moment of it, and it’s football. Anything can happen.” In Qatar, Morocco surprisingly emerged top of a group that included 2018 finalists Croatia alongside Belgium and Canada. The Republic wrap up Group B against Nigeria (40th), the top African side in this ninth edition of the Women’s World Cup. Barrett, whose Milford, County Donegal hometown moved Thursday’s Mass to accommodate the Girls in Green’s 1100 BST kick-off time, imagines it will all truly hit when she is standing on the pitch for the national anthems. She said: “I think I’m probably going to be very emotional. I think that’s going to be something that really takes everybody. “We had a referee course a couple of weeks ago, and the referee from FIFA said that when you hear your national anthem for the first time in major tournaments, a World Cup, it’s very, very special. “I think when we’re standing there singing ‘Amhran na bhFiann’ (‘The Soldier’s Song’) I think that’s really going to be a moment where everyone’s just like, ‘We’re here and we’re ready to go’.” The 27-year-old is eager to create new history with her side in Australia, but admits her part in getting the Republic here is something that will long linger. She added: “It’s funny, now we look back and after the game we’ve said we have such a long time to wait until we go to a World Cup and now we’re days away. “I think it definitely took me a long time to come off that cloud nine, because I think everybody was just, not shocked, but it was just like you were numb for a few days after. “It was one of those moments that I will happily never, ever forget, but I hope it’s also now one of those that over the next few weeks we make more memories to relive.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live The numbers behind Australia’s decade of dominance as England draw Ashes Katie McCabe urges Republic of Ireland to harness spirit of underdog Down Under Football rumours: Leicester’s Harvey Barnes closing in on Newcastle move

Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe has urged the squad to harness the spirit of the underdog ahead of Thursday’s World Cup opener against Australia. The World Cup debutants begin their Group B campaign against the co-hosts, who are 12 places above them in the FIFA rankings and will be backed by the majority of the 80,000 crowd at Sydney’s Stadium. It will be only the second match between the nations but Ireland won 3-2 when they met back in 2021, thanks to a goal from Denise O’Sullivan, who has been declared fit for the fixture. McCabe, who overcome her own injury scare a fortnight ago, said: “Yeah, it is something as a small nation, you kind of carry that (underdog) title I guess. “We know we are debutants in the tournament, but we know what we want to do. We don’t want to just be happy to be here. “We want to compete and give Australia, Canada and Nigeria the hardest games possible. That will start tomorrow night and it is exciting. “We know what Australia have, they have quality all over the park but we also know what we can do.” We're Irish, we don't shy away from physicality. It is ingrained in us Ireland captain Katie McCabe Head coach Vera Pauw referenced their slogan ‘outbelieve’ when looking ahead to playing Australia and insisted they would not buckle under pressure after coming through stern examinations with Sweden, Finland and Scotland to qualify for a first-ever major tournament. “That word will end up in the dictionary because we outbelieve we can do something special here,” Pauw reiterated. “That is how we ended up here because we outbelieve and we did something that nobody expected, but we are realistic. “We are very realistic, otherwise you cannot succeed, but the key thing everybody will feel is we have no fear of failure. “We are a team who so far we did not collapse on the higher pressure, whether it was away in a record crowd with Sweden, away with a record crowd in Finland or at Hampden Park and in our stadium with record crowds.” The Girls in Green only arrived in Sydney this week, but were greeted by floods of Irish fans, with a large community based Down Under. Arsenal midfielder McCabe added: “It’s crazy to think we’re actually here. We landed only a short while ago in Sydney airport, greeted by a number of Irish fans, so it was really nice to see them there. “They are our home away from home, I guess and to see the numbers who have travelled, the pictures online of people here in Sydney, is really special. “I think the whole team feel that. Not just players but staff as well, the support we have from here and back home as well. No doubt we want to do the nation proud tomorrow night.” Pauw revealed: “We knew there would be fans, but again it is so heart-warming every time the way the Irish are reacting on us. It is not just being there, it is way they are there.” Meanwhile, Ireland have firmly put their friendly fiasco with Colombia behind them after 101-capped O’Sullivan was confirmed to be fit enough to face Australia. North Carolina Courage captain O’Sullivan suffered a soft tissue and bone bruise injury during a warm-up match on Friday with the South Americans that was aborted after only 20 minutes due to it being an “overly physical” contest. But Pauw confirmed: “Denise is fit, she will play.” McCabe concluded: “For us now it is full focus on Australia. We knew Colombia would be physical but it will be the case in every single game. “We’re Irish, we don’t shy away from physicality. It is ingrained in us.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live The numbers behind Australia’s decade of dominance as England draw Ashes Amber Barrett hoping Republic can follow example of Morocco’s men at World Cup Football rumours: Leicester’s Harvey Barnes closing in on Newcastle move

New Zealand’s Football Ferns are aiming to win fans as well as matches at the Women's World Cup