The Women's World Cup draw is fast approaching and it's time to speculate how it could end up.
Predicting a draw is basically an impossible task with the amount of scenarios that could occur.
However, an exciting World Cup draw will see next year's tournament full of blockbusters, storylines and entertainment.
The Sporting News provides one possible outcome that would ensure a brilliant event.
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Best-case scenario Women's World Cup draw
A reminder of a few rules for the draw: No group can boast two teams from the same confederation, except UEFA (due to the sheer number of European teams). That also extends to the remaining playoffs that have yet to be determined.
Ten teams can still qualify for the Women's World Cup via February's playoffs: Portugal, Chile, Chinese Taipei, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Paraguay, Haiti, Panama, Cameroon and Senegal.
Group A
| Team | FIFA Rank | Pot |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 22 | 1 |
| Japan | 11 | 2 |
| Jamaica | 43 | 3 |
| Qualifier | — | 4 |
New Zealand are the lowest-ranked team in pot 1 as a co-host but will have the advantage of playing their group matches on home soil. The Football Ferns can also aim to get revenge over Japan, who beat them 2-0 in a friendly on October 9. They have also never won a game at a World Cup.
Group B
| Team | FIFA Rank | Pot |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 13 | 1 |
| Brazil | 9 | 2 |
| Denmark | 18 | 3 |
| Qualifier | — | 4 |
Australia has a strong rivalry against Brazil, having not lost against the South Americans since 2016 - winning six of the last seven matches including a 3-2 win at the 2019 World Cup. The Matildas have also taken on Canada (two losses) and Denmark (3-1 win) in recent friendlies. Denmark last played Canada in 2016 with the North Americans sneaking a 1-0 win at the Algarve Cup.
Group C
| Team | FIFA Rank | Pot |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 1 | 1 |
| Netherlands | 8 | 2 |
| Colombia | 25 | 3 |
| Philippines | 46 | 4 |
A rematch of the 2019 FIFA World Cup final awaits in this group, with the United States defeating the Netherlands 2-0 in the tournament decider in France. Alen Stajcic's Philippines made the Asian Cup semi-finals earlier this year and will be eager to test themselves against the world's best.
Group D
| Team | FIFA Rank | Pot |
|---|---|---|
| Sweden | 2 | 1 |
| Canada | 7 | 2 |
| Switzerland | 21 | 3 |
| Zambia | 81 | 4 |
Sweden and Switzerland will be keen to lock horns after fighting after the Swedes nicked a tough 2-1 win at the recent European Championships. Sweden also defeated Canada 1-0 in the round-of-16 at Women's World Cup 2019. Zambia will be playing at their first World Cup.
Group E
| Team | FIFA Rank | Pot |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 3 | 1 |
| China | 15 | 2 |
| Costa Rica | 37 | 3 |
| Nigeria | 45 | 4 |
Germany overcame Nigeria 3-0 in the round-of-16 at the previous World Cup and also have history with China, defeating the Asian side 1-0 in the group stage. This will be Costa Rica's second appearance at a Women's World Cup.
Group F
| Team | FIFA Rank | Pot |
|---|---|---|
| England | 4 | 1 |
| Norway | 12 | 2 |
| Argentina | 29 | 3 |
| South Africa | 54 | 4 |
European Championship winner England will be confident facing Norway again, having beaten the Nordic side 8-0 in the group stage of the recent tournament. Both Argentina and South Africa will be looking to make the knockouts after missing out at World Cup 2019.
Group G
| Team | FIFA Rank | Pot |
|---|---|---|
| France | 5 | 1 |
| Italy | 14 | 2 |
| Vietnam | 34 | 3 |
| Morocco | 76 | 4 |
France defeated Italy 5-1 when the two teams locked horns at the recent European Championships. Both Vietnam and Morocco will be making their debuts in the Women's World Cup.
Group H
| Team | FIFA Rank | Pot |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | 7 | 1 |
| South Korea | 17 | 2 |
| Rep. of Ireland | 24 | 3 |
| Qualifier | — | 4 |
Boasting Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, Spain will be looking go deep into the tournament after being eliminated by the United States at the round-of-16 stage at Women's World Cup 2019, while they were knocked out by England in the quarter-finals of the recent Euros.
