FIXTURES
ENGLAND v SCOTLAND
June 10, 2:00am AEST
Allianz Riviera, Nice
ARGENTINA v JAPAN
June 11, 2:00am AEST
Parc des Princes, Paris
JAPAN v SCOTLAND
June 14, 11:00pm AEST
Roazhon Park, Rennes
ENGLAND v ARGENTINA
June 15, 5:00am AEST
Stade Océane, Le Havre
JAPAN v ENGLAND
June 20, 5:00am AEST
Allianz Rivera, Nice
SCOTLAND v ARGENTINA
June 20, 5:00am AEST
Parc des Princes, Paris
ENGLAND
FIFA Ranking: 3
Last five games: LWWLW
Previous World Cup appearances: 4 (1995, 2007, 2011, 2015)
Captain: Steph Houghton
The Lionesses enter the World Cup with a fair bit of expectation on their shoulders. France 2019 will be England's fourth consecutive World Cup and fifth overall.
Their success in the 2015 edition - where they beat Germany in the third place play off - naturally means the Lionesses will want to improve on that result. led by Steph Houghton, England's run in to the competition has thrown up some interesting results. A maiden victory in the SheBelieves Cup has been back up by losses to Canada and New Zealand and wins over Spain and Denmark.
STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS
Strength: England is having a moment. The combination of world class players, youth and experience, good results all culminating in the biggest football tournament in the world. All the ingredients are there for success.
Weakness: The weight of expectation is heavy. While high expectations are often used as motivation, they still present a potential stumbling block.
COACH
Phil Neville's appointment 2018 raised some eyebrows. His lack of managerial experience, having only held assistant and caretaker roles prior to the Lionesses job, made him an interesting choice. However, in the 18 months he's been at the helm, he's overseen World Cup qualification and the SheBelieves Cup win.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Georgia Stanway is only 20 and at the beginning of her England career. She'll look to transfer a strong season with Manchester City to the national team.
KEY PLAYERS
Lucy Bronze (Defender): She is arguably the best right back in the world. She's an integral part of the juggernaut that is Lyon and will be just as crucial for the Lionesses.
Jill Scott (Midfielder): The 32-year-old is incredibly experienced and will provide the England midfield with stability, a calm head and leadership.
Beth Mead (Forward): She hasn't been in the senior national team long but her domestic form suggests she'll be important for England.
SQUAD
1. Karen BARDSLEY, 2 Lucy BRONZE, 3. Alex GREENWOOD, 4. Keira WALSH, 5. Steph HOUGHTON, 6. Millie BRIGHT, 7. Nikita PARRIS, 8. Jill SCOTT, 9. Jodie TAYLOR, 10. Fran KIRBY, 11. Toni DUGGAN, 12. Demi STOKES, 13. Carly TELFORD, 14. Leah WILLIAMSON, 15. Abbie McMANUS, 16. Jade MOORE, 17. Rachel DALY, 18. Ellen WHITE, 19. Georgia STANWAY, 20. Karen CARNEY, 21. Mary EARPS, 22. Beth MEAD, 23. Lucy STANIFORTH
SCOTLAND
FIFA Ranking: 20
Last five games: WWWDW
Previous World Cup appearances: Nil
Captain: Rachel Corsie
Scotland is one of a few World Cup debutants this year. After finishing top of their European qualifying group, Rachel Corsie and her side are ready to take on group D.
While the team has no previous World Cup experience to work with, they currently sit 20th in FIFA rankings. Scotland's 2019 results have been promising. A fifth place finish at the Algarve Cup has been followed up by a draw with fellow World Cup newbies, Chile, and wins over Brazil and Jamaica.
STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS
Strength: The underdog tagline is sure to catch some opponents out. Scotland has a strong line up filled with top class players.
Weakness: While Scotland has high quality players, replacing them is difficult. Keeping players fit and firing will be crucial.
COACH
Shelley Kerr has been the head coach since 2017 following spells coaching in the Scottish women's leagues, as well as with Arsenal and the under 19 iteration of the national team. A former Scottish captain, Kerr earned 59 caps playing in the heart of defence.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Erin Cuthbert's 2918-19 stats were strong. The 20-year-old had plenty of goals in the Women's Super League, four in the Champions League and a goal in the League Cup.
KEY PLAYERS
Rachel Corsie (Defender): The captain of this team currently plays in the NWSL. Her solidity and leadership will be much needed.
Kim Little (Midfielder): She is one of the best players in the world. Injuries have prevented her from playing in recent big tournaments, but she'll be raring to go in France.
Jane Ross (Forward): The 29-year-old plays for West Ham United and has 100+ caps and 50+ goals for Scotland. She is a strong, experienced striker up forward.
SQUAD
1. Lee ALEXANDER, 2. Kirsty SMITH, 3. Nicola DOCHERTY, 4. Rachel CORSIE, 5. Jenny BEATTIE, 6. Jo LOVE, 7. Hayley LAUDER, 8. Kim LITTLE, 9. Caroline WEIR , 10. Leanne CRICHTON, 11. Lisa EVANS, 12. Shannon LYNN, 13. Jane ROSS, 14. Chloe ARTHUR, 15. Sophie HOWARD, 16. Christie MURRAY, 17. Joelle MURRAY, 18. Claire EMSLIE, 19. Lana CLELLAND, 20. Fiona BROWN, 21. Jenna FIFE, 22. Erin CUTHBERT, 23. Lizzie ARNOT
ARGENTINA
FIFA Ranking: 37
Last five games: WWLDW
Previous World Cup appearances: 2 (2003, 2007)
Captain: Florencia Bonsegundo
Argentina qualified the hard way, defeating Panama in the CONCACAF v CONMEBOL play off. This is the Albicelestes first World Cup in over a decade with their first two appearances coming in 2003 and 2007. Argentina has never won a game at the World Cup and it will be a hard task once again for the 37th ranked side.
The team's 2019 didn't start spectacularly with three losses from three games in the Cup of Nations. This was followed by mixed results against US college sides and a win against Uruguay.
STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS
Strength: the creative side that is so closely associated with South American football in general knows no gender. Argentina has the ability to show off, particularly in the forward areas of the pitch.
Weakness: at the Cup of Nations, Argentina conceded 10 goals in three games. Those three games were against World Cup opposition and there's a chance that defensive fragility could rear its head in France.
COACH
Carlos Borrello has a long association with women's football in Argentina and a successful one at that. He's been at the helm for all of Argentina's World Cup qualifications. He also oversaw their 2008 Olympic qualification and their Copa America Femenina victory in 2006.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Florencia Bonsegundo is by no means a new name but France could be her stage to shine. She is a classy midfielder with the ability to score.
KEY PLAYERS
Vanina Correa (Goalkeeper): She is doubly important to this side as the goalkeeper and as one of the more experienced players in the squad.
Estefania Banini (Midfielder): The 28-year-old is the creative brains in the middle of the park and forays forward are likely to come through her.
Sole Jaimes (Forward): She plys her trade at Lyon and will be the main goal scoring threat for the Albicelestes up top.
SQUAD
1. Vanina CORREA, 2. Agustina BARROSO, 3. Eliana STABILE, 4. Adriana SACHS, 5. Vanesa SANTANA, 6. Aldana COMETTI, 7. Yael OVIEDO, 8. Ruth BRAVO, 9. Sole JAIMES, 10. Estefania BANINI, 11. Florencia BONSEGUNDO, 12. Gabriela GARTON, 13. Virginia GOMEZ, 14. Miriam MAYORGA, 15. Maria POTASSA, 16. Lorena BENITEZ, 17. Mariela CORONEL, 18. Gabriela CHAVEZ, 19. Mariana LARROQUETTE, 20. Dalila IPPOLITO, 21. Natalie JUNCOS, 22. Milagros MENENDEZ, 23. Solana PEREYRA
JAPAN
FIFA Ranking: 7
Last five games: DDLLW
Previous World Cup appearances: 7 (1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015)
Captain: Saki Kumagai
Japan's success is well documented. The Nadeshiko are former world champions, current Asian champions and have a swag of medals from various tournaments. Currently ranked seventh in the world, Japan, captained by Saki Kumagai, are a perennial threat.
That being said, Japan's has won only one of its six games this year - a 3-1 victory over Brazil.
STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS
Strength: Much like their success, Japan's technical ability is well known and much lauded. The Nadeshiko know how to play beautiful football.
Weakness: Takakura's decision to blood youth in the years preceding the tournament could prove to be a masterstroke. But it also presents a potential exploitation point for opponents.
COACH
Asako Takakura is former national team player turned coach. With 79 caps to her name, Takakura has managed the under 17 and under 20 versions of the women's national team and has been head of the senior squad since 2016. She is a six time AFC Women's Coach of the Year award winner.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Rikako Kobayashi is 21 and you can count her national team caps on your fingers but she's already found the back of the net twice this year for Japan.
KEY PLAYERS
Saki Kumagai (Defender): She is a strong defender and the leader of this team. As a member of the 2011 World Cup winning squad she also adds invaluable experience.
Emi Nakajima (Midfielder): The 28-year-old will be playing at her first World Cup but has over 60 caps for her country. She brings experience and an ability to find the back of the net.
Mana Iwabuchi (Forward): She was the Player of the Tournament at the 2018 Asian Cup. With nine goals in 18 games last year, Iwabuchi will hope be just as prolific this year.
SQUAD
1. Sakiko IKEDA, 2. Rumi UTSUGI, 3. Aya SAMESHIMA, 4. Saki KUMAGAI, 5. Nana ICHISE, 6. Hina SUGITA, 7. Emi NAKAJIMA, 8. Mana IWABUCHI, 9. Yuika SUGASAWA, 10. Mizuho SAKAGUCHI, 11. Rikako KOBAYASHI, 12. Moeka MINAMI, 13. Saori TAKARADA, 14. Yui HASEGAWA, 15. Yuka MOMIKI, 16. Asato MIYAGAWA, 17. Narumi MIURA, 18. Ayaka YAMASHITA, 19. Jun ENDO, 20. Kumi YOKOYAMA, 21. Chika HIRAO, 22. Risa SHIMIZU, 23. Shiori MIYAKE
Credits:
Getty