Women's World Cup 2015: Fixtures and Group Info Ahead of Canada vs. China PR
Canada is primed to host its first women's World Cup this year, and only days remain until the tournament gets underway.
John Herdman's host team open their tournament on Saturday, June 6, with a Group A clash against China PR. A long journey is ahead between then and the Vancouver final on July 5.
Read on for a breakdown of all of the groups leading up to Saturday's much-anticipated start, along with a look at which first-round matchups appear the most promising at this stage.
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| 1 | Canada (H) |
| 2 | China PR |
| 3 | New Zealand |
| 4 | Netherlands |
| 1 | Germany |
| 2 | Ivory Coast |
| 3 | Norway |
| 4 | Thailand |
| 1 | Japan |
| 2 | Switzerland |
| 3 | Cameroon |
| 4 | Ecuador |
| 1 | United States |
| 2 | Australia |
| 3 | Sweden |
| 4 | Nigeria |
| 1 | Brazil |
| 2 | South Korea |
| 3 | Spain |
| 4 | Costa Rica |
| 1 | France |
| 2 | England |
| 3 | Colombia |
| 4 | Mexico |
| Saturday, June 6 | 11 p.m./6 p.m. | Edmonton | Canada | China |
| Saturday, June 6 | 2 a.m. (Sunday, June 7)/9 p.m. | Edmonton | New Zealand | Netherlands |
| Sunday, June 7 | 6 p.m./1 p.m. | Ottawa | Norway | Thailand |
| Sunday, June 7 | 9 p.m./4 p.m. | Ottawa | Germany | Ivory Coast |
| Monday, June 8 | 9 p.m./4 p.m. | Winnipeg | Sweden | Nigeria |
| Monday, June 8 | 12 a.m. (Tuesday, June 9)/7 p.m. | Vancouver | Cameroon | Ecuador |
| Monday, June 8 | 12:30 a.m. (Tuesday, June 9)/7:30 p.m. | Winnipeg | United States | Australia |
| Monday, June 8 | 3 a.m. (Tuesday, June 9)/10 p.m. | Vancouver | Japan | Switzerland |
| Tuesday, June 9 | 6 p.m./1 p.m. | Moncton | France | England |
| Tuesday, June 9 | 9 p.m./4 p.m. | Montreal | Spain | Costa Rica |
| Tuesday, June 9 | 9 p.m./4 p.m. | Moncton | Colombia | Mexico |
| Tuesday, June 9 | 12 a.m. (Wednesday, June 10)/7 p.m. | Montreal | Brazil | South Korea |
Brazil vs. South Korea
Having failed to reach the last four in Germany four years ago, Brazil are hoping to make more of a statement this year, but a tricky beginning awaits them in the shape of South Korea.
Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated agrees the Koreans have a chance of advancing past the group stage after being handed a favourable pool, and three points against the Selecao on June 9 would be an ideal way to start:
Joint-record World Cup scorer Marta is back in the Brazil team, looking to finally clinch the gold medal that has evaded her so far in her career, but South Korea are one of those sides improving on the global stage.
Yoon Deok-yeo's team capped off their World Cup preparations by holding the United States to a 0-0 draw in New Jersey, and if they can revive that same stubborn defending, they could prove a frustrating outfit to break down.
France vs. England
England could not have asked for a much more difficult start to their World Cup campaign, and they face France in the first of their Group F games.
However, that difficulty hasn't dampened the spirit of manager Mark Sampson, and after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Canada in their final warm-up game, he spoke confidently of his side's tournament opener:
Sampson will be under pressure to ensure his players overcome that loss quickly and are better prepared for the task of France, who are currently ranked No. 3 in the official FIFA rankings and were runners-up at this year's Algarve Cup.
The French are also hoping to improve on their fourth-place finish at the 2011 World Cup, and the Lionesses could be in for a stern examination if the likes of captain Wendie Renard, Gaetane Thiney and Marie-Laure Delie are at their best for Les Bleus.
United States vs. Australia
Jill Ellis must ensure her USWNT's recent 0-0 draw with South Korea was nothing more than a blip as they search for World Cup success, after her team looked limp and weary at times in New Jersey.
Fortunately for the United States coach, it looks as though captain Megan Rapinoe will be fit to face Australia in their World Cup opener, per NBC's Jeff Kassouf, but Alex Morgan's recovery leaves her as a doubt:
Ellis and her coaching staff will not want to rush Morgan back and risk the star's tournament, giving the Matildas some hope of recording an upset in their clash with the Stars and Stripes.
Coach Alen Stajcic has a young squad, with only six outfield players over the age of 25, and after reaching the quarter-finals of the last two World Cups, this Australia team have developed and are capable of upsetting the Americans.
A full fixture list and explanation of the tournament path can be viewed on the official FIFA website.
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