The wait is almost over as the Women’s World Cup gets underway tonight.
Scotland, led by coach Shelley Kerr, make their first appearance on Sunday when they take on the Auld Enemy England in their opening game but how much do you know about the 24 nations taking part?
Luckily the Press and Journal is here to help you out as we take a look at the teams who will be competing in France.
ARGENTINA
(Group D)
Coach: Carlos Borrello
Star player: Florencia Bonsegundo
World Cup best: Group stages (2003, 2007)
After finishing third in the Copa America Femenina, Argentina had to go through an intercontinental play-off against Panama. A 4-0 win in the home leg followed by a 1-1 draw saw the Albiceleste seal a place in a first World Cup finals for 12 years.
AUSTRALIA
(Group C)
Coach: Ante Milicic
Star player: Sam Kerr
World Cup best: Quarter-finals (2007, 2011, 2015)
The Matildas secured one of the five AFC qualification places by their run to the final of the 2018 Asian Cup, where they were beaten by Japan, and would later finish undefeated at the Tournament of Nations. With Milicic having replaced the sacked Alen Stajcic, team unity will be key to hopes of progress.
BRAZIL
(Group C)
Head coach: Vadao
Star player: Marta
World Cup best: Runners-up (2007)
The Selecao come to France on the back of a superb Copa America Femenina campaign, in which they won all seven games, scoring 31 goals and conceding only two, followed by 10 defeats in 11 matches. Orlando Pride forward Marta collected a sixth FIFA World Player of the Year title in 2018 and is expected to lead Brazil’s challenge for the most coveted prize of all this summer.
CAMEROON
(Group E)
Head coach: Alain Djeumfa
Star player: Gabrielle Onguene
World Cup best: Last 16 (2015)
The Indomitable Lionesses came through the group stages of Africa qualifying top of their table, but lost to Nigeria in the semi-finals. A 4-2 victory in the third-placed play-off over Mali made sure of their place at France 2019. Djeumfa took over from Joseph Ndoko in January and will be hoping to maintain momentum.
CANADA
(Group E)
Head coach: Kenneth Heiner-Moller
Star player: Christine Sinclair
World Cup best: Fourth place (2003)
The 2015 World Cup hosts cruised through their opening CONCACAF qualification campaign, including a 12-0 thrashing of Cuba. The Canucks also saw off Panama 7-0 to reach the tournament’s semi-finals, which secured a place in France this summer, but lost to hosts USA. Coached by Dane Heiner-Moller, Canada will be expected to make an impact on the latter stages.
CHILE
(Group F)
Head coach: Jose Letelier
Star player: Christiane Endler
World Cup best: Debut
La Roja, led by Paris Saint-Germain’s Endler in goal, are making their debut in the World Cup finals. However, Letelier’s squad will head to France as one of the dark horses following an impressive Copa America Femenina campaign where they finished as eventual runners-up to Brazil, having beaten Argentina 4-0 in the final round of fixtures.
CHINA
(Group B)
Head coach: Jia Xiuquan
Star player: Li Ying
World Cup best: Runners-up (1999)
The Steel Roses enjoyed an impressive qualification campaign, topping their initial Asian Cup group to make the semi-finals. Although beaten by Japan, victory over Thailand secured third place. Li Ying scored seven goals in five appearances, and the Shandong Ladies will be one to watch in France.
ENGLAND
(Group D)
Head coach: Phil Neville
Star player: Nikita Parris
World Cup best: Third (2015)
The Lionesses head to France as one of the favourites for the title having coasted through UEFA qualification, where they conceded just once, and are ranked third in the world. After falling at the semi-finals stage in Canada, and also reaching the last four at Euro 2017, England have shown the form which could take them all the way this summer – with the 2019 She Believes Cup triumph lifting an expectant nation to fever pitch back home.
FRANCE
(Group A)
Head coach: Corinne Diacre
Star player: Amandine Henry
World Cup best: Fourth (2011)
Hosts France were given automatic qualification to the final. Les Bleues reached the quarter-finals of the last World Cup and also at Euro 2017. Home advantage could prove key, especially in the latter stages, with captain and Lyon midfielder Henry looking to build on another superb domestic campaign.
GERMANY
(Group B)
Head coach: Martina Voss-Tecklenburg
Star player: Dzsenifer Marozsan
World Cup best: Winners (2003, 2007)
Die Nationalelf come into the World Cup ranked second and expected to again be involved at the business end of the tournament, with the experience of Voss-Tecklenburg now at the helm for the finals. After a slow start to qualification, which saw a home loss against Iceland, seven straight wins – without letting in a goal – put them back on course and laid down a marker for their rivals.
ITALY
(Group C)
Head coach: Milena Bertolini
Star player: Barbara Bonansea
World Cup best: Quarter-finals (1991)
La Azzurre topped their European qualification group ahead of Belgium with seven wins to reach a first World Cup finals in 20 years. Bertolini’s side have been handed a tough draw, in with Brazil and Australia, so will need a strong start to build momentum driven on by Juventus playmaker Bonansea.
JAMAICA
(Group C)
Head coach: Hue Menzies
Star player: Jody Brown
World Cup best: Debut
The Reggae Girlz will bring plenty of colour on their World Cup debut, having finished third in the CONCACAF Championship following a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Panama to book a place in France and secure representation for a Caribbean team for the first time. Coach Menzies has developed a strong team ethic, with 17-year-old forward Brown ready to shine.
JAPAN
(Group D)
Head coach: Asako Takakura
Star player: Mana Iwabuchi
World Cup best: Winners (2011)
Qualified for the Women’ World Cup by the retaining the AFC Women’s Asian Cup crown. The side ranked seventh in the world will be hoping to spring a surprise as they did when lifting the World Cup eight years ago.
SOUTH KOREA
(Group A)
Head coach: Yoon Deok-yeo
Star player: Ji So-yun
World Cup best: Round of 16 (2015)
Beat the Philippines 5-0 to take fifth place at last year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup to seal their spot in France. A sturdy side, this is their second successive finals appearance.
HOLLAND
(Group E)
Head coach: Sarina Wiegman
Star player: Lieke Martens
World Cup best: Round of 16 (2015)
The reigning European champions arrive at their second Women’s World Cup looking to make an impact. Not always the most consistent side, the Dutch do boast some fine players.
NEW ZEALAND
(Group E)
Head coach: Tom Sermanni
Star player: Ali Riley
World Cup best: Group stage (1991, 2007, 2011 and 2015)
After a tough 2018, New Zealand face a difficult-looking time in Group E. They have yet to win a match in four previous World Cup appearances.
NIGERIA
(Group A)
Head coach: Thomas Dennerby
Star player: Asisat Oshoala
World Cup best: Quarter-finals (1999)
A tricky team, they lifted the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations at the end of last year and are managed by the wily Dennerby, who oversaw Sweden’s run to the semi-finals eight years ago.
NORWAY
(Group A)
Head coach: Martin Sjogren
Star player: Maren Mjelde
World Cup best: Winners (1995)
Being without Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg and her sister Andrine will obviously hurt the Norwegians, but the 1995 champions won the Algarve Cup and still have some fine players to call upon.
SCOTLAND
(Group D)
Head coach: Shelley Kerr
Star player: Kim Little
World Cup best: Debutants
This summer will be the first time that Scotland have stepped out at the Women’s World Cup. They face a tough group but showed their grit and no little skill during qualification.
SOUTH AFRICA
(Group B)
Head coach: Desiree Ellis
Star player: Janine van Wyk
World Cup best: Debutants
South Africa’s first dalliance with the Women’s World Cup could prove a tough experience, albeit an unforgettable one. They were runners-up in the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations last year.
SPAIN
(Group B)
Head coach: Jorge Vilda
Star player: Patricia Guijarro
World Cup best: Group stage (2015)
An improving domestic game means they head to France confident of bettering their debut appearance in Canada. Comfortable on the ball, the Spanish boast some fine prospects and reliable older heads.
SWEDEN
(Group F)
Head coach: Peter Gerhardsson
Star player: Stina Blackstenius
World Cup best: Runners-up (2003)
Few expect the Swedes to come a cropper in Group F, with experienced players complemented by a new crop of young talent. Could be a memorable summer.
THAILAND
(Group F)
Head coach: Nuengruethai Sathongwien
Star player: Rattikan Thongsombut
World Cup best: Group stage (2015)
Sprung a surprise at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, where they reached the semi-finals and missed out on the final to Australia on penalties. Ranked 34th in the world, it will be interesting to see how they get on.
USA
(Group F)
Head coach: Jill Ellis
Star player: Alex Morgan
World Cup best: Winners (1991, 1999, 2015)
The powerhouses of the women’s game, the United States are favourites to lift the trophy for a fourth time this summer. Young players have been brought into the fold and the strength in depth is striking.