The Women’s Rugby World Cup is finally on the horizon, and 16 international squads are gearing up for the initial group stages that begin on Saturday, Aug. 22. 

The New Zealand Black Ferns enter the competition as the reigning champions, taking home the World Cup title in 2021 as the host country. They are also the winningest team, seeing victory in six of the nine total Women’s World Cup finals. 

The Black Ferns are undefeated in 2025 so far, taking a win over Australia and the USA while earning a draw against Canada. They are currently ranked No. 3 in the world behind Canada in second and England in first, two teams that New Zealand will not face in the first round of group stages. 

Here’s everything to know about the Black Ferns heading into the Women’s World Cup this week. 

When Is The Women’s Rugby World Cup?

The Women’s Rugby World Cup will begin on August 22 with the group stages and run through September 27 when a champion is crowned following finals.

How To Watch The Black Ferns At The World Cup

Fans can tune into every match of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in the US on Paramount+ and CBS Sports. 

New Zealand Black Ferns World Cup ScheduleSunday, August 24 – 12:30 p.m. ET – New Zealand vs. SpainSunday, August 31 – 9:00 a.m. ET – New Zealand vs. JapanSunday, September 7 – 9:45 a.m. ET – New Zealand vs. IrelandNew Zealand Black Ferns SquadForwardsKate HenwoodAwhina Tangen-WainohuChryss VilikoAtlanta LoloheaVici-Rose GreenGeorgia PonsonbyTanya KalounivaleVeisinia Mahutariki-FakaleluAmy Rule Laura BayfieldAlana BremnerMaiakawanakaulani RoosLiana Mikaele-Tu’uJorja MillerKaipo Olsen-BakerLayla SaeKennedy TukuafuBacksIritana HohaiaMaia JosephRisaleaana Pouri-LaneKelly BrazierRuahei DemantLogo-i-pulotu Lemapu-atai’i Sylvia BruntAmy Du PlessisTheresa SetefanoStacey WaakaRenee HolmesAyesha Leti-i’igaBraxton Sorensen-McgeeKatelyn VahaakoloPortia Woodman-WickliffeWomen’s World Cup Full Schedule

Scheduling for quarterfinals, semifinals, and final knockout rounds will be updated following group stages. 

Friday, August 22 – 2:30 p.m. ET – USA vs. EnglandSaturday, August 23 – 7:00 a.m. ET – Australia vs. SamoaSaturday, August 23 – 9:45 a.m. ET – Scotland vs. WalesSaturday, August 23 – 12:30 p.m. ET – Canada vs. FijiSaturday, August 23 – 3:15 p.m. ET – France vs. ItalySunday, August 24 – 7:00 a.m. ET – Ireland vs. JapanSunday, August 24 – 9:45 a.m. ET – South Africa vs. BrazilSunday, August 24 – 12:30 p.m. ET – New Zealand vs. SpainSaturday, August 30 – 7:00 a.m. ET – Canada vs. WalesSaturday, August 30 – 9:45 a.m. ET – Scotland vs. FijiSaturday, August 30 – 12:00 p.m. ET – England vs. SamoaSaturday, August 30 – 2:30 p.m. ET – USA vs. AustraliaSunday, August 31 – 7:00 a.m. ET – Ireland vs. SpainSunday, August 31 – 9:00 a.m. ET – New Zealand vs. JapanSunday, August 31 – 10:30 a.m. ET – Italy vs. South AfricaSunday, August 31 – 11:45 a.m. ET – France vs. BrazilSaturday, September 6 – 7:00 a.m. ET – Canada vs. ScotlandSaturday, September 6 – 8:30 a.m. ET – USA vs. SamoaSaturday, September 6 – 9:45 a.m. ET – Wales vs. FijiSaturday, September 6 – 12:00 p.m. ET – England vs. AustraliaSunday, September 7 – 7:00 a.m. ET – Japan vs. SpainSunday, September 7 – 9:00 a.m. ET – Italy vs. BrazilSunday, September 7 – 9:45 a.m. ET – New Zealand vs. IrelandSunday, September 7 – 11:45 a.m. ET – France vs. South AfricaHow To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby

The URC will stream all its matches on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to: 

FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays. 

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