The Matildas have opened their FIFA Women's World Cup campaign with victory over the Republic of Ireland, without their star striker and captain Sam Kerr.

The FIFA Women's World Cup in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia is finally here, and it's a tournament expected to break new ground and leave a lasting legacy.

This week the European Court of Human Rights found that the state of Switzerland discriminated against intersex athlete, Caster Semenya; Dr Payoshni Mitra supported her challenge and responds to the decision which she says 'brings a ray of hope while challenges remain'.

The FIFA Secretary General travelled to Darwin this week to see for herself the challenges faced by some First Nations groups, while we travel to Taiwan to meet the official photographer who was embedded for years with the England Lionesses, and we talk to the newest Matilda Clare Hunt on the eve of the biggest moment in her life.

As the Matildas coach, Tony Gustavsson, names his final squad for the FIFA Women's World Cup, FIFA's president announces First Nations Flags will fly at the event; hear from Matildas Indigenous players, the coach, South Korea's Nutty FC, Football Australia's boss James Johnson, Eleni Psaltis on the legacy of big events and human rights.

Thousands of people march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in a global show of unity, plus we hear about the rise of Zambia, memories from Matildas pioneers, and Matilda #179 Hayley Raso on the team's relationship of trust with coach Tony Gustavsson.

On this special episode of The Ticket, counting down to the FIFA Women's World Cup, hear from FIFA Head of Women's Football Sarai Bareman plus Matilda Steph Catley and journey back to the World War 1 factories where women's football began.

Australia offers an alternative to the hardline transgender exclusion policies seen elsewhere, plus netball's backflip after another self-inflicted crisis.

Golf's peace deal resulting in Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund now financing the sport globally reflects a bigger geopolitical shift with the Middle East's stocks rising and as one expert puts it, the USA confronting 'empty nest syndrome'.