Paris, Nice, Montpellier and Lyon among nine cities in France to host 24-team tournament
Friday 31 May 2019 10:46, UK
With the Women's World Cup fast approaching, we look at the finer details of this summer's 24-team tournament, including the nine host cities set to stage the finals.
The eighth edition of the FIFA Women's World Cup takes place this summer with France hosting the event between June 7 and July 7.
It will be the first time that France has hosted the tournament after their successful bid was confirmed in 2015, with nine cities across the country hosting matches.
The nine cities and stadiums are:
Qualifying took place between April 2017 and December 2018 with the number of slots for each confederation unchanged from the 2015 edition in Canada.
England are one of nine UEFA nations - including hosts France - with Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Spain and Sweden making up the other teams from the continent.
Scotland are one of four countries making their Women's World Cup debuts, alongside Chile, Jamaica and South Africa.
There are three countries from CAF - Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa - while CONMEBOL accounts for three teams as Chile are joined by Argentina and Brazil.
The holders United States continued their streak of qualifying for every World Cup held so far, while Australia, China, Japan, South Korea and Thailand are the five AFC nations taking part.
The 24 teams have been divided into six groups of four, with the top two qualifying automatically for the knock-out stage.
The final four places in the round of 16 are made up of the four best third-placed teams.
Each group-stage city will host one last 16 or quarter-final match, before Lyon takes centre stage for the semi-finals and final.
The third-place play-off takes place at Nice's Allianz Riviera.
The knockouts will run from June 22 to July 7:
Round of 16
June 22: 1B v 3A/C/D, Grenoble - 2A v 2C, Nice
June 23: 1D v 3B/E/F, Valenciennes - 1A v 3C/D/E, Le Havre
June 24: 2B v 1F, Reims - 2F v 2E, Paris
June 25: 1C v 3A/B/F, Montpellier - 1E v 2D, Rennes
Quarter-finals
June 27: Le Havre
June 28: Paris
June 29: Valenciennes and Rennes
Semi-finals
July 2 and 3: Lyon
Third place play-off
July 6: Nice
Final
July 7: Lyon
UEFA published a match schedule which can be viewed here.
France and USA are joint-favourites to lift the trophy, with the tournament hosts backed by many to follow in the footsteps of the men's team, 12 months on from their success in Moscow.
After their 5-2 win over Japan in the 2015 final, USA are expected to go close once more and Jill Ellis' side won 10 matches in a row before succumbing to a 3-1 defeat to France in Le Havre in January.
They were then held to a 2-2 draw by England at the SheBelieves Cup in March - a result which will give Phil Neville's side plenty of confidence going into the finals.
Having lifted the trophy with a 3-0 win over Japan in Tampa - England suffered a 1-0 defeat to Canada in their opening World Cup warm-up match last month.
But the Lionesses, who are up to third in the world rankings, will be among the favourites for this summer's tournament in France.
The Netherlands will be confident of a strong tournament with Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema in their ranks. Miedema was named PFA Women's Player of the Year after a stunning season in the WSL.
Reigning Ballon d'Or Feminin holder Ada Hegerberg will not be at the World Cup, however, after not being included in Norway's squad.
The 23-year-old has taken a stand against what she describes as a lack of respect for female players in Norway - and the striker's absence was expected because she has refused to play for the national side since 2017.
Germany will be led by the excellent Dzsenifer Marozsan - who also captained her country to Olympic gold at the 2016 Rio Games.
Brazil's Marta will look to add to her record of 15 goals in the finals, with Australia, Italy and Jamaica handed the unenviable task of stopping her in the group stages.
The third round of ticket sales opened on March 7 and will remain open until the end of the competition. Individual tickets remain available for all 52 matches.
Fans can find out more information here.
