The Women’s World Cup is just a few days away. To help you prepare I’ve put together a quick guide to the six different groups.

Just one note before we get started. When identifying players to watch, I did look to provide an NWSL spin if possible. And some teams, oh my was it hard to pick just one.

Let’s get going, shall we?

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Group A

Teams:
        France
        Nigeria
        Norway
        South Korea

The Favorite: France. They’ve been consistently ranked top 3 in the world and the event is happening in their country.

The Underdog: Nigeria has featured in every Women’s World Cup there has been. While they may not beat France they still likely get out and could play spoiler down the road.

Players to watch:
        Amandine Henry – France
        Francisca Ordega – Nigeria
        Emilie Haavi – Norway
        Lim Seon-joo – South Korea

Key match of the Group: France vs Nigeria on June 17.

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Group B

Teams:
      China PR
      Germany
      South Africa
      Spain

The Favorite: The two-time Women’s World Cup winning Germany have to be the favorites. They’ve got a solid team, as they always do, heading into the 2019 event.

The Underdog: Spain may have a much better chance of winning a few games than people give them credit for. They could find a groove and do themselves proud.

Players to watch:
      Wang Shuang – China PR
      Dzsenifer Marozsán – Germany
      Linda Motlhalo – South Africa
      Alexia Putellas – Spain

Key match of the Group: Germany vs Spain on June 12.

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Group C

Teams:
      Australia
      Brazil
      Italy
      Jamaica

The Favorite: If Australia doesn’t win this group it will be shocking.

The Underdog: Jamaica has one of the best stories of in the whole tournament, and the potential to back it up with some good results. Good things might be in their future.

Players to watch:
      Sam Kerr – Australia
      Marta – Brazil
      Sara Gama – Italy
      Khadija “Bunny” Shaw – Jamaica

Key match of the Group: Brazil vs Jamaica on June 9. If Jamaica can get one or three points here, it will be huge.

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Group D

Teams:
      Argentina
      England
      Japan
      Scotland

The Favorite: Some might say England and some might say Japan. I am going with England.

The Underdog: Scotland is at their first Women’s World Cup, but they’ve got plenty of World Cup level talent on their roster. It’s a tough group, but they have a good chance of getting out.

Players to watch:
      Estefanía Banini – Argentina
      Lucy Bronze – England
      Rumi Utsugi – Japan
      Kim Little – Scotland

Key match of the Group: England vs Scotland on June 9. Can Scotland get a point or three and turn the group on its head?

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Group E

Teams:
      Cameroon
      Canada
      Netherlands
      New Zealand

The Favorite: This is Canada’s group to lose.

The Underdog: The Netherlands aren’t a total underdog, but they don’t have the sort of historical success as Canada. 

Players to watch:
      Estelle Johnson – Cameroon
      Christine Sinclair – Canada
      Lieke Martens – Netherlands
      Ali Riley – New Zealand

Key match of the Group: The Canada vs Netherlands match on June 20 decides who takes the group.

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Group F

Teams:
      Chile
      Sweden
      Thailand
      United States

The Favorite: If the United States doesn’t win this group it will be one of the biggest shocks in the opening rounds.

The Underdog: Sweden did beat the United States in the 2016 Olympics though.

Players to watch:
      Christiane Endler – Chile
      Hedvig Lindahl – Sweden
      Duangnapa Sritala – Thailand
      Julie Ertz – United States

Key match of the Group: The United States is going to have a pretty easy opening two matches. But the Sweden match could be a defining moment.