Women’s World Cup: What to Know

How about the remainder of the sphere?

Brazil arrives because the South American champion. Japan, China and South Korea have lengthy histories of feat in Asia — although solely the Japanese have lifted the World Cup — and shall be nearer to house than normal. Australia, powered by the high-scoring ahead Sam Kerr, just lately signaled its intent to problem with a victory over Spain in a warm-up match.

Other groups arrive with massive stars however longer odds — Denmark (Pernille Harder), Norway (Ada Hegerberg) and Jamaica (Bunny Shaw) — and 7 international locations are simply thrilled, for now, to be coming in any respect: Haiti, Morocco, the Philippines, Portugal, Ireland, Vietnam and Zambia all have certified for his or her first World Cup.

Who is the U.S. enjoying?

The U.S. is the defending champion. Its schedule within the group stage features a acquainted face (the Netherlands) and two query marks (Vietnam and Portugal). The high two groups will advance to the spherical of 16.

The Americans’ three video games within the group stage:

Vietnam at Auckland, July 22, 1 p.m. (Friday evening in New York.)

Netherlands at Wellington, July 27, 1 p.m. (Wednesday evening in New York.)

Portugal at Auckland, Aug. 1, 7 p.m. (Monday in a single day in New York.)

How is the equal pay battle going?

That relies upon. The United States ladies, after years of tense negotiations, public battles, stinging insults and courtroom filings, emerged with an equal pay deal that has made them one of many best-paid nationwide groups — males or ladies — on the earth.

Other international locations, even massive ones, haven’t made related progress. While many have heralded new contracts guaranteeing equal charges of pay for matches, ladies’s soccer groups nonetheless lag far behind their males’s counterparts when it comes to prize cash, staffing and different points.

Canada is presently at the vanguard of the equal pay battle: Its gamers briefly went on strike this month earlier than a sport in opposition to the United States, and have vowed to press their battle for higher therapy, and higher pay, via future actions and public protests.