A steady opening few minutes of the game as both sides look to settle into it. Megan Connolly tries to find Kyra Carusa with a ball over the top but Mackenzie Arnold is able to gather.

Karen Bardsley
Former England and Manchester City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

England will have their eyes all over this game.

Of course every game is important but they will be wanting to keep an eye on who else they could face throughout the tournament.

As we saw in Auckland, there's a moment of silence to remember the victims of the shooting in New Zealand in the hours before the World Cup go under way.

The hosts get this game under way.

Image source, Getty Images

The players are lined up for the national anthems, the Australian anthem in particular getting a huge roar at its conclusion from the home fans that understandably considerably outnumber the Ireland fans.

A fantastic atmosphere here.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Stadium Australia

This won't be the last time I mention the Irish fans tonight, but they've started huge chants of 'Ole, ole, ole' as the teams come out.

They've travelled in numbers and, my word, they are in fine voice.

Emma Smith
BBC Sport reporter at Stadium Australia, Sydney

We've just had a small but well-formed opening ceremony, featuring traditional cultural dancing and music, to "pay homage and respect to our elders".

This has been followed by a less traditional light show and EDM track, with a very excitable announcer whipping the crowd up on the PA.

There are still a fair number of empty blue seats around, although this game was billed as a sell-out.

Karen Bardsley
Former England and Manchester City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

We've seen some mental scenes with that opening game; missed penalty, VAR's introduction, 9 minutes of stoppage time.

This late news about Sam Kerr seems to be following that narrative as well.

Back in 2019 I was asked to go to the press conference and I knew that I wasn't going to be playing the next day - so these are just some insights into how things really work behind the scenes.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport in Sydney, Australia

“Train like a Matilda”.

There’s loads of activities at the fan festival in Sydney and I’ve just seen a father and son attempt a training drill. Neither scored - and it was an open net! Shocking.

There’s also a speed shootout, a kids play area, a sensory dome, a mini footgolf course, Sydney’s FIFA Women’s World Cup museum and the FIFA store.

There’s also been dance performances on the main stage and a DJ. Decent atmosphere so far.

Image source, BBC Sport

Emma Smith
BBC Sport reporter at Stadium Australia, Sydney

This was the scene at around 4pm local time - four hours before kick-off - at sunbathed Sydney as the other co-hosts prepare to begin their World Cup tilt.

Australia take on debutants Ireland, and there was already plenty of anticipation with numerous green and gold clad fans milling around the concourse.

Before the match, as at Eden Park, there will be a minute's silence in respect to the two people killed in the shooting in Auckland today.

Image source, Emma Smith

Image source, Getty Images

• This will be the second encounter between Australia and the Republic of Ireland, after a 3-2 win for the Irish in a friendly in September 2021.
• Vera Pauw's Republic of Ireland are one of eight teams making their debut at the FIFA Women’s World Cup this year, alongside Haiti, Morocco, Panama, the Philippines, Portugal, Vietnam and Zambia.
• Australia are taking part in their eighth Fifa Women’s World Cup. It’s also their eighth in a row. The only tournament they missed was the inaugural edition in 1991.
• The Republic of Ireland conceded only four goals in nine matches in qualifying, not allowing more than one goal in any game.

Image source, Getty Images

The Republic of Ireland's debut World Cup campaign has been somewhat overshadowed by allegations that have emerged over manager Vera Pauw's conduct while she was in charge of US team Houston Dash.

A number of ex-Dash players and staff told The Athletic , externalthat Pauw body shamed players and behaved inappropriately during her time in charge in 2018.

The Dutchwoman has strenuously denied the allegations.

"It’s more noise," former England striker Ellen White told BBC TV.

"You want to be able to focus solely on the performance, especially at their first World Cup. That’s what you want to be focussing on – the training, the performance, the culture, the team.

"I’m hoping it is able to be put to one side and it is resolved at some point, but the players need to focus on that first game."

Ex-Lionesses defender Alex Scot added: "It’s a them against us mentality, that siege mentality that actually might help Ireland."

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Stadium Australia

It's been 21 years since the Republic of Ireland last played in a World Cup of any kind, when Robbie Keane and Damien Duff helped the Irish to the last-16 at the 2002 World Cup.

Cathal, who is originally from Newry in County Down, has travelled from London and was taking the sights in ahead of the game.

"It could go either way," he says outside the famous Opera House.

"This Irish team are as capable of winning all three matches as they are of losing them.

"I think we are hoping for a draw and then get results in the other two matches as well.

"It's a chance to see Ireland in a World Cup, and especially somewhere I've never been before, so you can't say no to an opportunity like this."

Image source, Getty Images

With the Republic of Ireland competing in their first World Cup, BBC Sport spoke to pundits, ex-players and managers to get their predictions on how far Vera Pauw's side can go.

Carly Telford (former England goalkeeper) - Last 16

"The Republic of Ireland have a very difficult group but when you're underdogs and new to a tournament, the chains are off. Their back five and goalkeeper is very strong, but my worry is I don't see them scoring many goals."

Carla Ward (Aston Villa manager) - Last 16

"The Republic of Ireland wear their heart on their sleeves and I think they can get out of their group and surprise people. You look at players like McCabe, Quinn and [Villa's] Ruesha Littlejohn. They are experienced leaders."

Simone Magill (Northern Ireland striker) - Group stages

"They will have desire to compete and while I think progression is a big ask, getting a victory would be a success for them. You never know when this opportunity could come up again so they need to take it all in."

You can see more of the predictions here.

Emma Smith
BBC Sport reporter at Stadium Australia, Sydney

It wouldn't be a World Cup without the fans providing the flags, and Irish fans Aine and Michelle have done the business here.

Their Irish flag bears the words "It's a long, long way from Clare to here", lyrics from the 1977 Ralph McTell song - and also describes their journey.

Aine and Michelle have come all the way from County Clare to Sydney for this game, landing yesterday morning. In Aine's words, the jet lag is just starting to hit now.

Both are more reserved about Irish chances, backing 1-1 draws although Aine admits a narrow defeat and a good performance would boost hopes of making it out a tough group.

Image source, Emma Smith

Karen Bardsley
Former England and Manchester City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

When the Irish side came out onto the field, I think the cheer was just as loud as the one for Australia.

I can see quite a few green shirts and Irish flags down below me too.

The atmosphere is great!

Image source, EPA

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Stadium Australia

As expected, there are definitely more gold shirts at Stadium Australia than green but the noise when the Republic team was announced was impressive.

Captain Katie McCabe got the loudest cheer, and that group of fans right behind the Irish bench will make sure each and every player in green is roared on for the full 90 minutes.

Image source, Getty Images

While the Republic of Ireland players have said they will aim to take in every moment of their World Cup experience, they are here to compete and fight. Make no doubt about it.

"We don't fear anybody," said striker Amber Barrett, who scored the goal against Scotland that fired the Republic to the World Cup.

"We're going into every game with the confidence behind us that we know what we are good at.

"The biggest advantage there is that we are playing against the home nation. We've said it 100 times, we don't have any pressure.

"We feel that nobody has given us a massive chance to beat them. Of course, we have to be realistic with everything we do but I think this Irish team has proven before that we love the underdog tag."

Image source, Judge In the Skies Instagram

The anticipation for Australia's opener against the Republic of Ireland was such that it was moved from its original venue across Sydney to the 82,000 capacity Stadium Australia.

It is expected that 4,000 have come from Ireland to Australia, and there will be many more in attendance who used to call Ireland home before travelling across the world.

As the team flew into Sydney on Wednesday morning, they were greeted by a human-made #COYGIG (Come on you Girls in Green) motif on Coogee Beach in New South Wales, created by Irish support. It's just a flavour of what is to come.

Anna Thompson
BBC Sport at Stadium Australia

It's a cool night in Sydney after a warm day in New South Wales.

Both teams are currently warming up on the pitch and the crowd cheered when Sam Kerr's name was read out among the substitutes as all the squad are named - completely unaware she'll miss at least the first two games.

The stadium announcer is whipping the crowd up with dance cam with a bit of Bee Gees to get your feet tapping.

Image source, BBC Sport

Growing up in a city like Dublin can be tough, but it's a place that allows you to dream big.

That's exactly what happened with Katie McCabe.

From the streets of Tallaght to the Women's World Cup, McCabe is the girl with a cheeky smile who would go on to make history.

McCabe is the Republic of Ireland's youngest-ever captain. She has led the team to their first tournament.

Read McCabe's story.