Carli Lloyd said she was “pretty confident” the USA can defend its title in France.
All things considered, the United States got a pretty easy group for the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
The defending champions and top-ranked Americans will play Sweden, Thailand in Chile in Group F in France next summer during the event at La Seine Musicale in Paris.
The U.S., which has won three WWCs, will face a familiar foe in the Swedes, who will participate in their fifth consecutive WWC.
Chile and Thailand will perform in their first competition.
“It’s a good group in terms of we have three different teams, a European team, Asia and South America,” U.S. head coach Jill Ellis said. “In our opening game we have Thailand, who we’ve played once, and I like playing teams that we haven’t played a lot. Then, obviously we have a familiar foe in Sweden. It’s a good group and I’m excited to get this thing started!”
The USA will kick off Group F against Thailand in Reims June 11, continue against Chile in Paris June 16 and finish up against Sweden in LeHavre June 20.
U.S. midfielder-forward Carli Lloyd, who was tasked with bringing the WWC trophy on stage, was asked about the defending champions’ chances. Lloyd recorded a hat-trick in the 5-2 triumph over Japan to capture the 2015 WWC in Canada.
“Pretty confident I must say,” she said. “This squad is as talented as can be, we’ve got the depth and a great coaching staff in place.”
U.S. 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Schedule
Date | Opponent | Venue | Kickoff (ET) |
June 11 | Thailand | Auguste Delaune Stadium; Remis | 3 p.m. |
June 16 | Chile | Parc des Princes; Paris | 9 a.m. |
June 20 | Sweden | Stade Océane; Le Harve | 3 p.m. |