The ninth Women's World Cup and by far the biggest in the tournament's history kicks off on Thursday with co-hosts New Zealand and Australia in action, with record attendances expected at both their matches.

What began as a 12-team tournament in 1991, the Women's World Cup has steadily grown in stature and expanded to 32 teams — the same as the men's tournament.

It also marks the first time two countries are co-hosting the tournament as the quadrennial event arrives in the southern hemisphere for the first time.

New Zealand kick things off in Auckland against Norway while Australia host Ireland, with both matches set to welcome more than 100,000 fans in total.

"It will set the tone for a Women's World Cup that I expect to become a watershed moment in global sports," FIFA chief women's football officer Sarai Bareman said.

The 2015 edition in Canada welcomed a record 1.3 million-plus fans at stadiums but the 2023 tournament is expected to beat that mark with nearly 1.4 million tickets sold so far.

The pressure is on New Zealand, however, not just as co-hosts but also because they have never won a match at the World Cup. They are underdogs against Norway, who have a Ballon d'Or winner in their midst.

Ada Hegerberg returned to the national team last year after a five-year exile and she is looking to put their disappointing group stage exit at the European Championships in the rear-view mirror. "We must play every match as if it's our last," she said.

Australia will be led by Sam Kerr, a Golden Boot favourite and an icon in the sport after the Chelsea forward became the first woman to grace the global cover of the highly-popular video game FIFA 23.

Priest's gesture

The faith of Irish fans may be tested when they take on Australia, but the prayers will have already been said in Amber Barrett's home town as the local priest moved mass to accommodate the kick-off time.

Ireland striker Barrett fired her country into their first major finals with her playoff goal against Scotland, and that left Father Stephen Gorman to reschedule mass in Barrett's home town of Milford so that parishioners will be home in time to watch.

"They have moved mass to earlier on Thursday, so that says it all," Barrett said.

Today’s matches

New Zealand vs Norway (12.30pm IST)

Australia vs Ireland (3.30pm IST) Live on DD Sports and FanCode