18 Things You Need To Know About FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015, Because Girls Kick Balls Too

The tournament kicks off on Saturday 6th June, with Canada vs. China PR, at 4pm (local time). This will be followed by New Zealand vs. Netherlands at 7pm. Pictured: Canada’s Desiree Scott via Instagram.

With Canada as the host country, matches will take place at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Lansdowne Stadium in Ottawa, BC Place Stadium in Vancouver...

...Winnipeg Stadium and Moncton Stadium. Pictured: Canada’s Jonelle Filigno & Kaylyn Kyle, then Canada’s Karina LeBlanc, Sophie Schmidt, Carmelina Moscato, Selenia Iacchelli & Robyn Gale, via Instagram.

The tournament spans FIVE time zones. Let’s hope the girls can keep their jet lag under control. Pictured: USA’s Alex Morgan & Tobin Heath via Instagram.

It’s the biggest Women’s World Cup EVER, with a 24-team format, compared to 16 in previous years. Pictured: Spain’s Sonia Bermudez via Twitter.

Cameroon, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and Thailand all make their Women’s World Cup debut this year. Pictured: Netherlands’ Sherida Spitse via Twitter.

Japan won the last Women’s World Cup, beating USA on penalties, while USA are one of the favourites to win this time around. Pictured: Japan’s Yuki Ogimi via Twitter.

However, they – and all 22 other teams – will have a tough time beating Germany, who have won their last six European titles. Pictured: Germany’s Simone Laudehr via Twitter.

England’s first game is at 2pm on Tuesday 9th June, against France. Since Moncton – where the match takes place – is four hours behind the UK, this means you can catch it at 6pm. No excuses. Pictured: England’s Eniola Aluko via Twitter.

It’s a massive game for the ladies, as England haven’t beaten France in all their 15 games, dating back to 1974. Pictured: France’s Kenza Dali via Instagram.

England took on host nation Canada for a warm-up match last Friday, losing 1-0, with Sophie Schmidt scoring the only goal of the game. Pictured: Canada’s Sophie Schmidt via Instagram.

The Lionesses are ranked sixth in the world, making it to the quarter finals in Germany in 2011, where France knocked them out on penalties. Pictured: England’s Lianne Sanderson & Jill Scott via Instagram.

This year’s winners will run away with $2million, which beats the $1million prize at 2011’s Women’s World Cup, though it isn’t anywhere near as dizzying as the $35million prize for 2014’s Men’s World Cup. Pictured: Norway’s Trine Rønning via Instagram.

Tweeting about the Women’s World Cup? Look out for the ‘hashflags’, as demonstrated here by England goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain.

Steph Houghton captains the England team and – random fact – can count One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson amongst her Twitter followers. She follows him back, along with MTV’s Geordie Shore – would you like some merch, Steph?

Steph was also the first woman to appear on the front cover of Shoot magazine in October 2014. One giant step for female football.

Though she’s not adverse to the male kind, either, naming David Beckham as her “all time hero”.

Brazil’s Marta – known as “the female Pelé” – has won FIFA’s female Footballer Of The Year trophy five times. Wow.

The whole tournament wraps up on July 5th – but who will triumph? Tune in and cheer on your team to find out! Pictured: Sweden’s Kosovare Asllani & Emma Lund via Instagram.