Women's World Cup draw: U.S. to face Sweden, Australia, Nigeria in Group D
The draw for the 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada took place on Saturday in Ottawa.
The U.S. team was slotted into Group D with Nigeria, Australia and Sweden. Sweden is ranked fifth in the latest FIFA rankings, while Australia is 10th and Nigeria is 35th.
Sweden is coached by Pia Sundhage, the former coach of the U.S. team.
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The U.S. will play its first group match against Australia on June 8 in Winnipeg. Its second group match will take place on June 12 in Winnipeg against Sweden. In its third and final group match, the U.S. will face Nigeria on June 16 in Vancouver.
Group D is already being referred to as the so-called "Group of Death." “I’m kind of speechless,” forward Alex Morgan said after the draw on the Fox Sports 1 broadcast. Teammate Sydney Leroux seems excited for the challenge.
The number of teams participating in the tournament has increased from 16 to 24. The first and second-place finishers in each group will advance to the round of 16. If the U.S. advances, it could face No. 2 Germany in the semifinals and No. 3 Japan in the finals.
The tournament will begin June 6 and run through July 5.
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Here is a list of the teams in each group:
Group A
Canada
China PR
New Zealand
Netherlands
Group B
Germany
Cote d'Ivoire
Norway
Thailand
Group C
Japan
Switzerland
Cameroon
Ecuador
Group D
United States
Australia
Sweden
Nigeria
Group E
Brazil
Korea Republic
Spain
Costa Rica
Group F
France
England
Colombia
Mexico
