Ranking each team's chances at the Women's World Cup
The Women's World Cup kicks off on Thursday with co-hosts New Zealand facing Norway and then their fellow hosts Australia taking on Republic of Ireland.
Once against the USA start the tournament as favourites having won the title on the past two occasions and four times in the competition's relatively short history.
Megan Rapinoe, one of the most influential players in women's football, will be looking to bow out the game with a third title as she's set to retire at the end of the season.
But standing in her way and the way of the whole of the USWNT will be the likes of European champions England, other powerhouses from the continent such as France and Spain, and even hosts Australia.
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But which sides are the least and most likely to walk away with the trophy? We've ruled our eye over the 32 teams and ranked them from bottom to top.
32. Panama - They've lost their previous two games to an aggregate score of 12-0, have previously never played in the World Cup and are in a group with Brazil and France.
31. Philippines - Another side who are making their debut in the competition, didn't make it out of the group stages at the Southeast Asian Games.
30. Vietnam - The winners of the Southeast Asian Games but they recently shipped nine goals to Spain, although only lost 2-1 to Germany last month.
29. Costa Rica - Another side with little in the way of recent decent results but playing in South America is tougher. One previous World Cup appearance ended with draws to Spain and South Korea.
28. Morocco - The runners up at the most recent Women's Africa Cup of Nations but they're unlikely to make a mark on their first World Cup.
27. South Africa - They beat Morocco to become champions of Africa but have recent losses to Serbia and Botswana. They lost all three group games four years ago.
26. Haiti - England's first opponents have young star Melchie Dumornay in their ranks. She had a great season in France but there's little else for the islanders to rely on.
25. Jamaica - Bunny Shaw scored 20 goals for Manchester City last season but the Reggae Girlz will struggle to keep goals out at the other end.
24. New Zealand - It's unlikely to be the Football Ferns who carry the flag for the host countries. One win in nine this year and never been out of the groups at the World Cup.
23. Zambia - They beat Germany in a pre tournament friendly and this ranking may well be too low but their defence is a worry so this is where we've put them.
22. Nigeria - Despite recent wins over Haiti and New Zealand it still seems unlikely that Randy Waldrum's side will make it out of the groups.
21. Argentina - Would need a decent result against one of Europe's elite sides to get through to the knockout stages, a feat they're yet to manage in three previous World Cups. Unbeaten this calendar year at least.
20. Republic of Ireland - They beat Scotland to get to a first World Cup and lost narrowly to USA twice this year but with Australia and Canada in the group qualification seems unlikely.
19. Colombia - Would have to exceed expectations to get out of the groups but did reach the final of the Copa America last summer. Their 'friendly' with Ireland was abandoned because their players were accused of being too rough.
18. Portugal - They managed to keep a clean sheet in a draw with European champions England recently and only narrowly lost to Norway. Francisco Neto's side aren't likely to be in the knockout stages however.
17. Switzerland - La Nati are in poor form, without a win in seven games. They've drawn five of six this year but New Zealand are the seeded side in their group so they may get through to the last 16.
16. China - They aren't the team who finished fourth and runners up in back-to-back World Cups in the 90s but China could still make it into the knockouts. They're pretty solid defensively
15. Italy - Quarter finalists four years ago and with the impressive Manuela Giugliano as a playmaker. Italy are a young team but their biggest problem is the fact a second place finish in the group will likely see them meet the world champions.
14. South Korea - Chelsea's Ji So-yun, known as Ji-Messi, will lead the line for South Korea and they have three wins over World Cup sides recently. Last 16 is likely their ceiling but they should make it.
13. Denmark - Lars Sondergaard's side have recent wins over Japan, Norway and Sweden to their name and new Bayern Munich signing Pernille Harder up front. Expect them to provide England's toughest group challenge and go through.
12. Norway - Will likely top group A which should be helpful for a run into the quarters. Ada Hegerberg returns to make the team a danger but they are weak at the back.
11. Japan - Only narrowly lost to USA and Canada at the SheBelieves Cup earlier this year, ending as runners up. Unlikely to repeat their run to becoming world champions in 2011 or World Cup runners up in 2015.
10. Netherlands - Knocked out of the Euros at the quarter final stage, Andries Jonker is looking to reinvigorate the Dutch side. Vivianne Miedema is out after her ACL injury but there's plenty of talent elsewhere and fast wing backs.
9. Sweden - Barcelona's Fridolina Rolfo and Arsenal star Stina Blackstenius are both forward threats but Sweden have some average recent results and a happy knack of not quite reaching their full potential at tournaments.
8. Brazil - They've beaten Germany and Japan this year and drawn with England, before losing on penalties. You can never rule out a Brazilian team from a World Cup, although the women have disappointed in this regard. At 37-years-old Marta goes into her sixth World Cup and in contrast teenager Aline Gomes is in her first.
7. Canada - The North Americans have only once reached the semi-finals of the World Cup and have lost to U.S., Japan, and France this year. However Bev Priestman's team are the reigning Olympic champions.
6. Germany - Never right off the Germans. Don't know why I've said that, no one is and if anything they're probably a little too low. But they have lost to Zambia, Brazil and USA in recent months. A draw with Sweden and narrow wins over Netherlands and Vietnam don't help. Alexandra Popp is one of the best in the world and there's lots of other talent. Why have I put them in 6th?!
5. Australia - Sam Kerr is the poster girl for this tournament and the Chelsea star has pace around her upfront too. They will attempt to be compact at the back. The main reason for the Matildas being so high is their home advantage, the crowds for the games will be packed and loud.
4. France - Only one previous semi final appearance but France have their best chance to date. Their amazing advert showed how talented their players are and in Wendie Renard they have one of the world's best defenders. Manager Herve Renard is also an expert when it comes to international tournaments.
3. Spain - Alexia Putellas sadly missed last summer's Euros and Spain still should have knocked England out of the quarter finals. Their attack is extremely dangerous and they even beat USA last year. Manager Jorge Vilda has been criticised and 16 players have walked away from the national team after calling him out and the way the team were treated by him and the FA. However they undoubtedly have a lot of talent.
2. England - Sarina Weigman's side might be missing some big names through injury, especially captain Leah Williamson, and are struggling to score recently but they remain USWNT's biggest obstacle. The Lionesses won the Euros last year, won the Arnold Clark Cup and the Women's Finalissima and defeated USA in the past 12 months. Players like Chloe Kelly have proven how clutch they can be and Lucy Bronze is a world class experienced player. Weigman may be the best manager at the tournament too.
1. USA - Little more needs to be said other than the fact that this is the team who have won the past two World Cups. There's a reason they are the world's best and have incredibly talent in pretty much every position in the squad. Sophia Smith is the standout player and they have lots of experience of winning. The biggest thing for the defending champions might be the draw, if everyone tops their groups they won't meet England, France, or Germany until the final.Vlatko Andonovski's team aren't perfect going into the tournament but they're still favourites. Can anyone stop them?
Topics: Football, Womens Football, Womens World Cup, Australia, England, Germany, USA
Ryan Sidle