PARIS, France (Dec. 8, 2018) — The stage is set for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Held in France this upcoming summer, the FIFA Women’s World Cup will feature 24 teams. The reigning champions, the United States, were drawn into Group F, arguably one of the easier groups, in the tournament.
USWNT drawn in Group F for FIFA Women’s World Cup
Meanwhile, the host nation of France, enters Group A, alongside South Korea, Norway and Nigeria. Norway is the national team of Ada Hegerberg, who recently won the first-ever women’s Ballon d’Or this past week.
The World Cup draw held in Paris on Dec. 8. Locations include Paris, Lyon, Nice, Montpellier, Rennes, Le Harve, Valenciennes, Reims and Grenoble. The World Cup will occur from June 7 until July 7.
Meanwhile, the semifinals and final will be held in Lyon at Parc Olympique Lyonnais, which holds 59,186 fans.
There are four teams that will make their World Cup debut in France. Chile, Jamaica, Scotland and South Africa will journey to their first World Cup. Chile entered the same group as the United States.
Meanwhile, the two teams faced off in a pair of friendlies on Aug. 31 and Sept. 4. The United States claimed two victories with final scores of 3-0 and 4-0, respectively. Carli Lloyd, who presented the World Cup trophy at the draw, scored twice in the second match.
The trip to the World Cup isn’t the first for Italy and Argentina, but it is a long overdue reunion. Italy has not participated in a women’s World Cup since 1999. However, Argentina has waited since 2007.
What U.S. WNT Players Said
In an interview with the Washington Post, U.S. Women’s National Team defender Kelley O’Hara expressed her excitement of her side’s group, which includes Sweden, Thailand and Chile.
“I am pumped, so excited,” O’Hara said. It’s nice to finally know who are competition will be in those first three games. We can start to prepare and envision who will be on the other side of the field.”
Below is more reactions from fellow USWNT players.
This panel on @FOXSoccer tho >>>@TobinHeath gives her draw reaction: pic.twitter.com/l0uKgCcBNS
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) December 8, 2018
185 days to get fffffffing ready. pic.twitter.com/kwmOqifbam
— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) December 8, 2018
Let’s f^€%ing go!!!!!
— Becky Sauerbrunn (@beckysauerbrunn) December 8, 2018
Paris 😍😍😍 https://t.co/2LHiG7qgcz
— Lindsey Horan (@LindseyHoran) December 8, 2018
U.S. WNT to feature in 10-game send off
Including the SheBelieves Cup, the United States will take part in 10 matches before jetting off to France.
The full schedule is listed below.
- January 19 vs. France in Le Harve, France
- January 22 vs. Spain in Alicante, Spain
- February 27 vs. Japan in Chester, Pa. (SheBelieves Cup)
- March 2 vs. England in Nashville, Tenn. (SheBelieves Cup)
- March 5 vs. Brazil in Tampa, Fl. (SheBelieves Cup)
- April 4 vs. Australia in Commerce City, Colo.
- April 7 vs. Belgium in Los Angeles, Calif.
- May 12 vs. South Africa in Santa Clara, Calif.
- May 16 vs. TBA in St. Louis, Mo.
- May 26 vs. Mexico in Harrison, New Jersey
The Full Listing of World Cup Groups
#FIFAWWC in 185 DAYS‼️
🇺🇸 vs. 🇹🇭 June 11 in Reims
🇺🇸 vs. 🇨🇱 June 16 in Paris
🇺🇸 vs. 🇸🇪 June 20 in Le Havre pic.twitter.com/mMI6nTtxIv— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) December 8, 2018
