It’s World Cup time!

It’s World Cup time!

The 2019 Women’s World Cup is upon us: running from June 7^th to July 7^th and featuring teams from 24 nations competing in cities all across France. The women’s game has grown tremendously in recent years and this WWC will be the most competitive ever. The USA, Germany, England and France are the top ranked teams heading into the tournament. Qualifying for the first time ever are Chile, Jamaica, South Africa and Scotland (featuring former Reign player Kim Little, one of the top players in the world.)

The US, in Group, will face Thailand (ranked 34), Chile (39) and rival Sweden (9). The USA/Sweden game is anticipated to be the match that decides the Group winner. The reigning champions and the European heavyweights have played against each other in more matches than any other two nations in the history of the Women’s World Cup! Within their five previous meetings, the USA has taken three, Sweden one – and most recently they played to a scoreless draw in Canada in 2015.

The Top Competitors:

FRANCE has drawn the toughest group with Korea Republic, Norway and Nigeria. Will France become world champions on home soil? To be the best, you have to beat the best, which is something France’s players have been keen to stress whenever asked about the possibility of a home win. They will be lead by defensive rock Wendie Renard, midfielder Amandine Henry and striker Eugenie Le Sommer (who will be competing for most goals in the tournament).

ENGLAND moved into third position in the FIFA World rankings after winning the She Believes Cup earlier this year. With players like Nikkita Paris (who averages a goal per match in league play), goalkeeper Karen Bardsley (born in America and plays through family lineage in England), and Lucy Bronze (who has been a fixture in bringing this England side up through the ranks), the Lioness look to be strong contenders for the title.

Other sides to watch for are GERMANY, JAPAN and BRAZIL. Germany has won the Euro Cup eight times and have something to prove on the world stage. Japan is a young squad, but comes in the champions of the Asian Cup. Brazil, featuring world class striker Marta, comes in the Copa America champion where they scored 34 goals and only conceded 2. CANADA, AUSTRALIA and the NETHERLANDS are also expected to have a strong showing.

And finally, the reigning champs, the USA, are entering the competition in the top ranked spot. The USWNT has qualified for every FIFA Women’s World Cup since the tournament started in 1991 – reaching this one by winning the 2018 CONCACAF Championship in October. They are the most successful team in WWC history, winning 3 of the 7 titles to date. Will team USA, lead by Alex Morgan, Julie Erst, Becky Sauerbrunn and Seattle’s Megan Rapinoe, be able to lift the trophy again in 2019?

Seattle United in France!

Many Seattle United players, families and coaches will be heading to France to support Team USA in person – stay tuned to Instagram, Twitter and the Seattle United website for more on their adventures!

#SUWWC – Whether traveling to France to catch the action in person, or waking up early to watch the games in your living room, we want to be there with you! Seattle United players and families, take pictures of yourself in your SU swag watching the WWC and post on Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag #SUWWC. (Bonus points for the coolest place in France you can take a photo showing your SU spirit!)

More Info and How to Watch: 

FIFA – to learn more about all the teams and players: www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news

FOX SPORTS – All 52 games will be broadcast live on Fox Sports, their website currently features great videos and news pieces about the USWNT: www.foxsports.com/soccer/fifa-womens-world-cup/fan-guide.