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Women's World Cup: Group A preview

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Four years after getting dumped in the quarterfinal stage on penalties to Germany, host France finds itself under considerable pressure to replicate the recent success of its male counterpart in Russia.

Les Bleues, the tournament's fourth-ranked squad, will first have to get through a quartet featuring a South Korea side (14th) that made it out of the group stage in 2015, former heavyweight Norway (12th), and No. 38 Nigeria - one of just seven nations to qualify for every World Cup.

Group Schedule

Date Matchup City Time (ET)
June 7 France vs. South Korea Paris 3:00 p.m.
June 8 Norway vs. Nigeria Reims 3:00 p.m.
June 12 Nigeria vs. South Korea Grenoble 9:00 a.m.
June 12 France vs. Norway Nice 3:00 p.m.
June 17 Nigeria vs. France Rennes 3:00 p.m.
June 17 South Korea vs. Norway Reims 3:00 p.m.

Players to Watch

Amandine Henry (France)

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Corinne Diacre's squad is littered with players experienced on the world stage, and chief among them is 29-year-old defensive midfield bulwark Amandine Henry. Celebrated as a leader and motivator, thunder-footed Henry, alongside fellow Lyon star Eugenie Le Sommer, provides France with a source of composure amid heightened expectations.

Ji So-Yun (South Korea)

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Chelsea star Ji So-Yun has become the face of a team that's enjoyed massive progress stemming from its Under-17 World Cup conquest in 2010. A PFA Team of the Year selection in four of her five seasons in England, the 28-year-old sits directly behind the striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation and is the creative commander for a side capable of fluid, multipronged attacks.

Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway)

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With Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg absent, much of the pressure in France falls on 24-year-old Barcelona winger Caroline Graham Hansen. With pace to burn and top-class technique on the ball, Hansen generates countless attacking opportunities for Norway. Winners of the 1995 World Cup, the Grasshoppers failed to score a goal at the 2017 Euros.

Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria)

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Another Barcelona standout and three-time African Footballer of the Year, Asisat Oshoala leads a flexible attack that profits from swift transitions. Scorer of seven goals in seven league outings for the Catalans, Champions League finalist "Superzee" won both the Golden Ball and Golden Boot at the Under-20 World Cup in 2014.

Group Outlook

Like men's team boss Didier Deschamps, Les Bleues gaffer Diacre has selected a squad with the best chance at success but not necessarily the best individuals, as Kheira Hamraoui and Marie-Antoinette Katoto were both left at home. That composition will see France top the group.

The final clash between Norway and South Korea in Reims will likely determine the quartet runner-up, with the third-placed side hoping to nab one of four extra spots in the knockout round. Nigeria's weakness on set pieces in the run-up to the tournament is a major cause for concern.

Predicted Finish

Position Team Points
1 France 9
2 Norway 4
3 South Korea 2
4 Nigeria 1

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