The Women’s World Cup begins in Australia and New Zealand today.

The month-long festival of football is bigger than ever, expanded from 24 countries to 32.

Among them are England, who are hoping to win the tournament for the first time.

Manager Sarina Wiegman’s squad includes two Kent girls who will be doing all they can to help the Lionesses build on last summer’s European Championship success and bring home the trophy.

Striker Alessia Russo, from Maidstone, is one of the biggest stars in the women’s game after scoring four times, including a stunning semi-final backheel, during England’s run to Euro glory.

She’s joined in the squad by Gravesend-born midfielder Laura Coombs, who earned an international recall on the back of an impressive season for Manchester City.

Who is Alessia Russo?

Alessia Russo, 24, has rarely been out of the news since becoming a household name with her European Championship exploits last summer.

The striker was born and bred in Maidstone, attending East Farleigh Primary School and St Simon Stock Secondary School.

She played youth football for Bearsted - a club she remains in touch with to this day - followed by spells with Charlton, Chelsea and Brighton before studying in America, where she played for North Carolina Tar Heels.

Russo earned a dream move to Manchester United in 2021, the club she had supported since childhood, signing a two-year contract.

She made her mark internationally by scoring an 11-minute hat-trick in a 20-0 World Cup qualifying win over Latvia in November 2021.

But it was her brilliance as a super-sub at the Euros which saw her rise to fame.

She scored four times, all after coming off the bench, as the Lionesses won the tournament on home soil.

Entering the final six months of her contract at Manchester United, Russo was subject of a world-record bid from Arsenal during the January transfer window.

The offer was rejected and Russo remained a Manchester United player when the World Cup squad was announced.

However, shortly afterwards, she confirmed she would be leaving, and has since joined Arsenal on a free transfer.

Russo has scored 11 goals in 22 appearances for England.

Who is Laura Coombs?

Laura Coombs is a classic example of why you should never give up on your dreams.

Coombs, 32, returned to the international fold after eight years in the wilderness when she was named in England’s Arnold Clark Cup squad in February.

The Gravesend-born midfielder, who attended Dartford Grammar School for Girls, was rewarded for her scintillating form for Manchester City in the Women’s Super League.

She made two appearances during the competition, which England won, and now has five caps to her name.

Coombs came through the academy at Arsenal, playing Champions League football for the Gunners after reaching the first team.

She signed for Chelsea, winning a league and cup double, followed by a spell at Liverpool before joining City four years ago.

Coombs has won the FA Cup and League Cup with City.

When are England playing?

You won’t miss a kick of the World Cup, with all 64 matches to be shared across BBC and ITV.

Millions are set to tune in when England open their Group D campaign against unfancied Haiti in Adelaide on Saturday.

ITV have the rights to this one, with kick-off 10.30am BST.

The Lionesses travel to Sydney for their second match on Friday, July 28.

They meet Denmark at 9.30am BST, live on BBC1.

All being well, England will be safely through to the knockout stages by the time they return to Adelaide to play China in their final group game.

The match takes place on Tuesday, August 1, with a noon kick-off on ITV.

If England top the group, they will play the runners-up of Group B - one of Australia, Republic of Ireland, Nigeria and Canada - in the last 16 on Monday August 7 (8.30am BST).

Should they qualify as runners-up, they’ll face the Group B winners on the same day in an 11.30am BST start.

The quarter-finals take place on August 11-12, with the semi-finals held on August 15-16.

There’s a third-place play-off on August 19, followed by the final at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney on August 20.

How will England fare?

The Lionesses are missing several key players through injury - captain Leah Williamson, midfielder Fran Kirby and Euro 2022 golden boot winner Beth Mead.

That’s far from ideal but they remain one of the fancied sides Down Under and have genuine hopes of winning the World Cup.

A row with the FA over bonus payments has also overshadowed preparations but the dispute has at least been put on hold until after the tournament, with the squad all putting their names to a statement.

Defending champions and four-time winners USA - a powerhouse in women’s football - are the favourites.

Spain, England and Germany feature prominently in the betting markets behind the States, while joint-hosts Australia have been tipped to go deep into their home tournament.