England get their World Cup campaign underway on Saturday against Haiti with the European champions setting their sights on glory in Australia and New Zealand. Four-time champions USA are also in action alongside Euro 2017 runners-up Denmark. Here is all you need to know about today’s action.
USA v Vietnam - Group E
Where: Eden Park, Auckland
When: 2am (BST)/ 1pm (NZST)
TV: BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website
Referee: Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco)
Last meeting: N/A
USA’s last five: 2-0 win v Wales, 1-0 win v Republic of Ireland, 2-0 win v Republic of Ireland, 2-1 win v Brazil, 1-0 win v Japan
USA’s World Cup record: USA are the most successful team in the Women’s World Cup with four titles to their name (1991, 1999, 2015, 2019). Total Games: 50, Won 40, Drawn 6, Lost 4. Win percentage: 80%
Vietnam’s last five: 0-9 loss v Spain, 2-0 loss v New Zealand, 2-1 loss v Germany, 2-0 win v Myanmar, 4-0 win v Cambodia
Vietnam’s World Cup record: This is Vietnam’s first appearance at the World Cup finals
USA are the dominant force on this stage and are the favourites once again after prevailing in the previous two tournaments. The Stars and Stripes are the team that every team fears facing because not only have they lifted the World Cup a record four times, they have never been knocked out before the semi-final stage. Vietnam will be embracing their first World Cup finals but they know that this fixture is the toughest opener you can get in this tournament.
Sportsman stat: USA have never lost a World Cup match against a team from Asia (W11 D4), keeping 10 clean sheets in 15 of those games
Where: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
When: 8am (BST)/ 7pm (NZST)
TV: BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website
Referee: Tess Olofsson (Sweden)
Last meeting: N/A
Zambia’s last five: 2-3 win v Germany, 3-3 draw v Switzerland, 3-2 loss v Republic of Ireland, 1-0 win v Tanzania, 5-0 loss v South Korea
Zambia’s World Cup record: This is Zambia’s first appearance at the World Cup finals
Japan's last five: 5-0 win v Panama, 1-0 loss v Denmark, 1-2 win v Portugal, 0-3 win v Canada, 1-0 loss v USA
Japan’s World Cup record: Japan have featured in all eight previous World Cup finals and they were the champions in 2011 by beating the USA. Total Games: 33, Won 14, Drawn 4, Lost 15. Win Percentage: 42%
Zambia are one of the eight debuting nations at this year’s World Cup and like the rest of them, they will be relishing the opportunity to go toe-to-toe with some of the best teams in the world on the biggest stage. They face a tough first test against 2011 winners Japan who have featured in every World Cup finals to date and know just what it takes to go far in this tournament.
Betfred odds: Zambia 15/2, Japan 2/9, Draw 5/1
Sportsman stat: This will be only Japan’s second game against an African team at the World Cup after their 2-1 victory over Cameroon in the 2015 group stage.
Where: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
When: 10:30am (BST)/ 7:30pm (AEST)
TV: ITV1, STV, ITVX, STV Player
Referee: Emikar Calderas Barrera (Venezuela)
Last meeting: N/A
England’s last five: 0-0 draw v Portugal, 0-2 loss v Australia, 1(4)-1(2) win v Brazil, 10-0 win v Luxembourg, 0-2 win v Austria
England’s World Cup record: England have partaken in four World Cup finals in the past with their best performance coming in 2015. They made it to the semi-finals and won the third-place play-off against Germany. Total Games: 26, Won 15, Drawn 4, Lost 7. Win percentage: 58%
Haiti’s last five: 2-1 loss v South Korea, 2-0 loss v Costa Rica, 4-1 loss v Venezuela, 1-3 loss v Guatemala, 3-1 win v Moldova
Haiti’s World Cup record: This is their first World Cup finals appearance
England will be raring to go for this World Cup campaign after their historic Euro 2022 triumph last summer. Sarina Wiegman has turned the Lionesses into winners and although they are missing key figures Leah Williamson and Beth Mead, they have enough quality to make their mark in Australia and New Zealand. As for Haiti, they will be eager to make more history after reaching their first World Cup finals, and what better way to do that by pulling off a shock against the European champions.
Betfred odds: England 1/125, Haiti 28/1, Draw 25/1
Sportsman stat: England are looking to become the second team after Germany in 2003 and 2007 to win the World Cup as reigning European champions
Where: HBF Park, Perth
When: 1pm (BST)/ 8pm (AWST)
TV: BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website
Referee: Marie-Soleil Beaudoin (Canada)
Last meeting: China 3-2 Denmark (World Cup 2007)
Denmark’s last five: 0-2 loss v Spain, 1-0 win v Japan, 0-1 win v Sweden, 3-2 win v Uruguay, 2-0 win v Norway
Denmark’s World Cup record: Denmark have previously contested in four World Cup finals with their best performance coming in 1991 and 1995 when they reached the quarter-finals. Total Games: 14, Won 3, Drawn 1, Lost 10. Win Percentage: 21%
China’s last five: 2-2 draw v Colombia, 2-1 win v Russia, 1-0 win v Russia, 3-0 loss v Spain, 0-0 draw v Switzerland
China’s World Cup record: China have participated in seven out of the previous eight World Cup finals. Their best result was finishing as the runners-up in 1999. Total Games: 33, Won 16, Drawn 7, Lost 10. Win Percentage: 48%
After missing the last three World Cup finals, Denmark will have a point to prove and will be eager to show that they have caught up with the best teams in the world who have continually qualified for every tournament. They will be reliant on striker and record goalscorer Pernille Harder to fire them to the knockout stages. China will have similar ambitions and this contest is an exciting one to have on the opening day of Group D.
Betfred odds: Denmark 4/7, China 4/1, draw 11/4
Sportsman stat: Denmark are making a return to the World Cup finals after missing the last three editions. They had qualified for four of the first five editions.
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