FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 in France: Team-by-team guide including Phil Neville's England
The Women's World Cup will be contested by 24 teams when the tournament gets under way on June 7.
Here, we take a look at each of the nations who will battle it out in France...
ARGENTINA (Group D)
- Coach: Carlos Borrello
- Star player: Florencia Bonsegundo
- World Cup best: Group stages (2003, 2007)
- Sky Bet odds: 100/1
After finishing third in the Copa America Femenina, Argentina had to go through an intercontinental play-off against Panama. A 4-0 win in the home leg followed by a 1-1 draw saw the Albiceleste seal a place in a first World Cup finals for 12 years.
AUSTRALIA (Group C)
- Coach: Ante Milicic
- Star player: Sam Kerr
- World Cup best: Quarter-finals (2007, 2011, 2015)
- Sky Bet odds: 18/1
The Matildas secured one of the five AFC qualification places by their run to the final of the 2018 Asian Cup, where they were beaten by Japan, and would later finish undefeated at the Tournament of Nations. With Milicic having replaced the sacked Alen Stajcic, team unity will be key to hopes of progress.
BRAZIL (Group C)
- Head coach: Vadao
- Star player: Marta
- World Cup best: Runners-up (2007)
- Sky Bet odds: 20/1
The Selecao come to France on the back of a superb Copa America Femenina campaign, in which they won all seven games, scoring 31 goals and conceding only two, followed by 10 defeats in 11 matches. Orlando Pride forward Marta collected a sixth FIFA World Player of the Year title in 2018 and is expected to lead Brazil's challenge for the most coveted prize of all this summer.
CAMEROON (Group E)
- Head coach: Alain Djeumfa
- Star player: Gabrielle Onguene
- World Cup best: Last 16 (2015)
- Sky Bet odds: 500/1
The Indomitable Lionesses came through the group stages of Africa qualifying top of their table, but lost to Nigeria in the semi-finals. A 4-2 victory in the third-placed play-off over Mali made sure of their place at France 2019. Djeumfa took over from Joseph Ndoko in January and will be hoping to maintain momentum.
CANADA (Group E)
- Head coach: Kenneth Heiner-Moller
- Star player: Christine Sinclair
- World Cup best: Fourth place (2003)
- Sky Bet odds: 25/1
The 2015 World Cup hosts cruised through their opening CONCACAF qualification campaign, including a 12-0 thrashing of Cuba. The Canucks also saw off Panama 7-0 to reach the tournament's semi-finals, which secured a place in France this summer, but lost to hosts USA. Coached by Dane Heiner-Moller, Canada will be expected to make an impact on the latter stages.
CHILE (Group F)
- Head coach: Jose Letelier
- Star player: Christiane Endler
- World Cup best: Debut
- Sky Bet odds: 100/1
La Roja, led by Paris Saint-Germain's Endler in goal, are making their debut in the World Cup finals. However, Letelier's squad will head to France as one of the dark horses following an impressive Copa America Femenina campaign where they finished as eventual runners-up to Brazil, having beaten Argentina 4-0 in the final round of fixtures.
CHINA (Group B)
- Head coach: Jia Xiuquan
- Star player: Li Ying
- World Cup best: Runners-up (1999)
- Sky Bet odds: 50/1
The Steel Roses enjoyed an impressive qualification campaign, topping their initial Asian Cup group to make the semi-finals. Although beaten by Japan, victory over Thailand secured third place. Li Ying scored seven goals in five appearances, and the Shandong Ladies will be one to watch in France.
ENGLAND (Group D)
- Head coach: Phil Neville
- Star player: Nikita Parris
- World Cup best: Third (2015)
- Sky Bet odds: 6/1
The Lionesses head to France as one of the favourites for the title having coasted through UEFA qualification, where they conceded just once, and are ranked third in the world. After falling at the semi-finals stage in Canada, and also reaching the last four at Euro 2017, England have shown the form which could take them all the way this summer - with the 2019 She Believes Cup triumph lifting an expectant nation to fever pitch back home.
FRANCE (Group A)
- Head coach: Corinne Diacre
- Star player: Amandine Henry
- World Cup best: Fourth (2011)
- Sky Bet odds: 10/3 favourites
Hosts France were given automatic qualification to the final. Les Bleues reached the quarter-finals of the last World Cup and also at Euro 2017. Home advantage could prove key, especially in the latter stages, with captain and Lyon midfielder Henry looking to build on another superb domestic campaign.
GERMANY (Group B)
- Head coach: Martina Voss-Tecklenburg
- Star player: Dzsenifer Marozsan
- World Cup best: Winners (2003, 2007)
- Sky Bet odds: 11/2
Die Nationalelf come into the World Cup ranked second and expected to again be involved at the business end of the tournament, with the experience of Voss-Tecklenburg now at the helm for the finals. After a slow start to qualification, which saw a home loss against Iceland, seven straight wins - without letting in a goal - put them back on course and laid down a marker for their rivals.
ITALY (Group C)
- Head coach: Milena Bertolini
- Star player: Barbara Bonansea
- World Cup best: Quarter-finals (1991)
- Sky Bet odds: 40/1
La Azzurre topped their European qualification group ahead of Belgium with seven wins to reach a first World Cup finals in 20 years. Bertolini's side have been handed a tough draw, in with Brazil and Australia, so will need a strong start to build momentum driven on by Juventus playmaker Bonansea.
JAMAICA (Group C)
- Head coach: Hue Menzies
- Star player: Jody Brown
- World Cup best: Debut
- Sky Bet odds: 500/1
The Reggae Girlz will bring plenty of colour on their World Cup debut, having finished third in the CONCACAF Championship following a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Panama to book a place in France and secure representation for a Caribbean team for the first time. Coach Menzies has developed a strong team ethic, with 17-year-old forward Brown ready to shine.
JAPAN (Group D)
- Head coach: Asako Takakura
- Star player: Mana Iwabuchi
- World Cup best: Winners (2011)
- Sky Bet odds: 14/1
Qualified for the Women' World Cup by the retaining the AFC Women's Asian Cup crown. The side ranked seventh in the world will be hoping to spring a surprise as they did when lifting the World Cup eight years ago.
SOUTH KOREA (Group A)
- Head coach: Yoon Deok-yeo
- Star player: Ji So-yun
- World Cup best: Round of 16 (2015)
- Sky Bet odds: 66/1
Beat the Philippines 5-0 to take fifth place at last year's AFC Women's Asian Cup to seal their spot in France. A sturdy side, this is their second successive finals appearance.
NETHERLANDS (Group E)
- Head coach: Sarina Wiegman
- Star player: Lieke Martens
- World Cup best: Round of 16 (2015)
- Sky Bet odds: 14/1
The reigning European champions arrive at their second Women's World Cup looking to make an impact. Not always the most consistent side, the Dutch do boast some fine players.
NEW ZEALAND (Group E)
- Head coach: Tom Sermanni
- Star player: Ali Riley
- World Cup best: Group stage (1991, 2007, 2011 and 2015)
- Sky Bet odds: 50/1
After a tough 2018, New Zealand face a difficult-looking time in Group E. They have yet to win a match in four previous World Cup appearances.
NIGERIA (Group A)
- Head coach: Thomas Dennerby
- Star player: Asisat Oshoala
- World Cup best: Quarter-finals (1999)
- Sky Bet odds: 150/1
A tricky team, they lifted the Africa Women's Cup of Nations at the end of last year and are managed by the wily Dennerby, who oversaw Sweden's run to the semi-finals eight years ago.
NORWAY (Group A)
- Head coach: Martin Sjogren
- Star player: Maren Mjelde
- World Cup best: Winners (1995)
- Sky Bet odds: 33/1
Being without Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg and her sister Andrine will obviously hurt the Norwegians, but the 1995 champions won the Algarve Cup and still have some fine players to call upon.
SCOTLAND (Group D)
- Head coach: Shelley Kerr
- Star player: Kim Little
- World Cup best: Debutants
- Sky Bet odds: 100/1
This summer will be the first time that Scotland have stepped out at the Women's World Cup. They face a tough group but showed their grit and no little skill during qualification.
SOUTH AFRICA (Group B)
- Head coach: Desiree Ellis
- Star player: Janine van Wyk
- World Cup best: Debutants
- Sky Bet odds: 250/1
South Africa's first dalliance with the Women's World Cup could prove a tough experience, albeit an unforgettable one. They were runners-up in the CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations last year.
SPAIN (Group B)
- Head coach: Jorge Vilda
- Star player: Patricia Guijarro
- World Cup best: Group stage (2015)
- Sky Bet odds: 20/1
An improving domestic game means they head to France confident of bettering their debut appearance in Canada. Comfortable on the ball, the Spanish boast some fine prospects and reliable older heads.
SWEDEN (Group F)
- Head coach: Peter Gerhardsson
- Star player: Stina Blackstenius
- World Cup best: Runners-up (2003)
- Sky Bet odds: 25/1
Few expect the Swedes to come a cropper in Group F, with experienced players complemented by a new crop of young talent. Could be a memorable summer.
THAILAND (Group F)
- Head coach: Nuengruethai Sathongwien
- Star player: Rattikan Thongsombut
- World Cup best: Group stage (2015)
- Sky Bet odds: 500/1
Sprung a surprise at the AFC Women's Asian Cup, where they reached the semi-finals and missed out on the final to Australia on penalties. Ranked 34th in the world, it will be interesting to see how they get on.
USA (Group F)
- Head coach: Jill Ellis
- Star player: Alex Morgan
- World Cup best: Winners (1991, 1999, 2015)
- Sky Bet odds: 7/2
The powerhouses of the women's game, the United States are favourites to lift the trophy for a fourth time this summer. Young players have been brought into the fold and the strength in depth is striking.
Odds correct as of 2230 BST on 04/06/19
Follow Sporting Life on social media - find us on Facebook here or tweet @SportingLifeFC
Related Women's World Cup links
MOST READ FOOTBALL
FOOTBALL TIPS
