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.

 

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.