Where to watch Australia vs France live stream, TV channel, lineups, betting odds for Women's World Cup match

The Sporting News
 
Where to watch Australia vs France live stream, TV channel, lineups, betting odds for Women's World Cup match

One of the most exciting quarterfinals at the Women's World Cup will see co-hosts Australia face off against France in Brisbane with both sides aiming to reach the semifinals for the first time ever.

After shaky performances in their opening two group stage matches, Australia have hit their stride with back-to-back victories without conceding, and scored two great goals in their Round of 16 win against Denmark in front of a record crowd.

Superstar Sam Kerr also played her first minutes at the World Cup tournament, coming off the bench for 15 minutes after recovering from a calf injury, and she will most likely be able to play more minutes in arguably their biggest ever match against a talented France side.

France are currently undefeated at the World Cup and were comfortable victors against Morocco in the Round of 16, scoring three goals in eight first-half minutes on their way to a 4-0 win, though they were defeated by Australia in a send off match just before the World Cup began.

What time is Australia vs France kickoff?

The co-hosts quarterfinal against France will begin at 5:00 p.m. local time at Brisbane Stadium, meaning a kick off time of 4:30 p.m. in Adelaide and 3:00 p.m. in Perth. Here is how that time translates to selected territories around the world:

Australia vs France live stream, TV channel

Fans around the world will be able to watch the third quarterfinal of the tournament on both TV and live stream, with the match being available to watch on free-to-air options in Australia via Channel 7, which has seen record numbers of viewers during the Matildas run to the quarterfinals.

Fans in select regions of the world can stream the Women's World Cup live on FIFA+, including in Japan, Brazil, Indonesia and Thailand. 

Australia vs France lineups, team news

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has seemed to strike gold with his lineup, as Caitlin Foord's move to left midfield and Mary Fowler being shifted to the striker position has seen Australia's attack go from clunky to clinical.

The pair were the players of the match in Australia's win over Denmark, combining brilliantly for the opening goal, and with Foord and club teammate Steph Catley being a deadly combination down the left side of the field.

Sam Kerr is still probably not fit enough to start, and even then Gustavsson will not want to disrupt the rhythm the team has found in the last couple of games, but Kerr will probably be fit for 30 minutes of game time if she is required to turn the tide against a talented France team.

Gustavsson has not rotated much during the tournament and has been reluctant to make substitutions — and when he does, they usually come late in the match — he copped criticism early on in the tournament for this, and it will be interesting to see whether tired legs begin to affect the Matildas as they get deeper into the competition.

  • Australia projected starting lineup (4-4-1-1): 18-Arnold (GK) — 21-Carpenter, 15-Hunt, 14-Kennedy, 7-Catley — 16-Raso, 19-Gorry, 23-Cooney-Cross, 9-Foord  — 10-Van Egmond — 11-Fowler

France coach Herve Renard has rotated his team throughout the tournament, which may serve them well if their match against Australia goes to extra time.

They have had a different centre-back pairing for every match of the tournament so far; captain Wendie Renard will start, but her partner could be anyone of Estelle CascarinoElisa de Almeida and Maelle Lakrar.

They have two dangerous attackers in Eugenie Le Sommer and Kadidatou Diani who have been scoring goals for fun at the tournament, whilst Sakina Karchaoui and Selma Bacha have been combining well down the left wing.

Grace Geyoro has been a constant in midfield, and will most likely start alongside Sandie Toletti as they will look to combat the influence of Kyra Cooney-Cross and Katrina Gorry.

  • France projected starting lineup (4-4-2): Peyraud-Magnin (GK) — 22-Perisset, 3-Renard, 2-Lakrar, 7-Karchaoui — 15-Dali, 8-Geyoro, 6-Toletti, 13-Bacha — 9-Le Sommer, 11-Diani

Australia vs France betting odds

For the first time at the tournament, Australia go into a match as outsiders, with the undefeated France team expected to progress in a close match.

The fact Australia will be cheered on by a passionate home crowd and their win over the same opposition just three weeks ago may tempt punters to back Australia to get the job done once again, though.