Twenty-four national teams, 52 matches, nine cities that will host the women’s World Cup in France
from 7 June to 7 July . Who are the favorites
Who are the players to watch
And one – of many – curiosities: how Bob Marley’s daughter helped Jamaica to enter the finals Here’s what you need to know about the eighth edition of the Cup Women’s world, the most competitive.
The domination of the United States
Twenty-three teams qualified in their respective groups, while France secured their place as host nation. As defending champions and in first place in the Fifa rankings, the footballers from the United States are certainly the favorites to keep the scepter won in Canada four years ago. If so, it would be their fourth title in eight tournaments and will strengthen the leadership this country has in women’s football.
After all, the road to France in 2019 was decidedly downhill: the USA beat Mexico 6-0, Panama 5-0, Trinidad & Tobago 7-0 and Jamaica 6-0 in the Concacaf semifinals they gave in hand the pass for the World Cup. In the final of the tournament, the Americans beat Canada 2-0, placing the icing on the cake.
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Seven previous editions, four winners
Since the first edition, the one in China in 1991, only four national teams have won the trophy. Needless to say, the big voice is made by the United States which, in addition to winning the debut edition, also raised the cup in 1999 and, as mentioned, 2015. In 1995, however, Norway took care of it, after two goals of Germany before the exploit of Japan in 2011. Also this year the Japanese are to keep an eye on together with England, Brazil and the hosts themselves: France could repeat the home success of their male colleagues as happened the last year. It would be the first success for the transalpines who are in fourth place in the FIFA world rankings.
The debutante ball
Jamaica is the first Caribbean team to qualify for the biggest event in women’s football and the “Reggae Girlz” have Bob Marley’s daughter Cedella to thank. Eight years ago, the Jamaican Federation (JFF) cut funding for the women’s team project, relegating it to the bottom of the international rankings due to three years of inactivity. But in 2014, Cedella helped boost the team’s fortunes by becoming an ambassador and sponsoring industry growth and training through the Bob Marley Foundation.
The other three rookies are Chile, who secured their place in France with a brilliant 4-0 win over Argentina in the Copa America Femenina, Scotland and South Africa.
Players to watch
The United States has a legacy of pure talent: from forward Lindsey Horan to veteran midfielder Megan Rapinoe. Great things are expected from 20-year-old Mallory Pugh, the sixth youngest top scorer in her country’s history. In England, on the other hand, there is a lot of belief in Fran Kirby and Lucy Bronze, but beware of the Brazilian Marta: no player has scored more than her in a World Cup. As many as 15 goals, six times named FIFA player of the year and nicknamed “Pele with a skirt”, and considered the greatest player in history, she has won all but one trophy, the World Cup. German hopes, on the other hand, are all on Dzsenifer Marozsan, captain and playmaker of the squad. He plays in Olympique Lyon as Amadine Henry,
Where and when
The tournament will take place in nine cities: Grenoble, Le Havre, Lyon, Montpellier, Nice, Paris, Reims, Rennes and Valenciennes. The first match will be played at the Parc des Princes in Paris on 7 June, while the semi-finals and final will be played in Lyon, home of French women’s champions and Champions League champions, Olympique Lyonnais, on 2, 3 and 7 July.
Ettie, the mascot, daughter of France 1998
Well and like any self-respecting World Cup, this edition also has her mascot: Ettie. Yes, it seems familiar to you
Yes, in fact, Ettie and daughter of Footix, the official mascot of the 1998 FIFA Men’s World Cup in France.
