2015 FIFA World Cup Predictions & Preview: Who Wins? [VOTE]
The biggest women's soccer tournament in the world is about to begin.
The 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup will begin on Saturday June 6 with Canada and China facing off as well as New Zealand and the Netherlands competing. A total of 24 national teams will be playing in this year's World Cup with four teams in six separate groups.
This year's World Cup will be played in Canada in six venues. The last time a host nation won it all was the United States back in 1999. Both the U.S. and Germany have won two World Cup titles, the most ever.
Germany is the No. 1 ranked team this year, and they are placed in Group B with Ivory Coast, Thailand and Norway. The German men won it all last year over Argentina in the World Cup, so Germany is looking for a sweep. Germany should easily win Group B and advance to the knockout stage.
The U.S. comes in as the No. 2 ranked team heading into this World Cup; however they will have to play a tough Sweden squad that is ranked No. 5 in the world. Group D has three teams ranked in the top 10, so goalkeeper Hope Solo is up for a big challenge. Abby Wambach is one of the best players in the world, but she has been criticized for not winning a World Cup title before.
Another big storyline to follow in this World Cup is Brazilian striker Marta Vieira da Silva. Marta is the all-time leading scorer in Brazilian women's soccer history, and she led Brazil to a second place finish in 2007. Her and Neymar competing at the Copa America will highlight Brazilian soccer greatness this summer. Brazil is the top ranked team in Group E.
We also can't forget about the defending champions. Japan defeated the U.S. in the 2011 finals in a dramatic penalty kick finish. Japan should easily move past group play given the fact they are the only team ranked in the top 18 in their group. Japan has an elite middle field led by Homare Sawa, Homare Sawa and Aya Miyama and a great goalkeeper in Miho Fukumoto.
Canada also has a strong squad that ranks No. 8 in the world led by Christine Sinclair. Canada will have "home-field advantage," and they have a terrific goalkeeper in Erin McLeod.
In the end, the elite "final four" squads should be Brazil, Germany, Japan and the U.S. Japan and the U.S. just faced off in the last World Cup, and Germany is the best team in the world. Brazil has arguably the best offense and best scorer soccer has to offer, so we should be in for a great treat when the round of 16 begins.