2015 FIFA World Cup Predictions, Groups & Rankings: Complete Preview For 24-Team Soccer Tournament

By Damon Salvadore First Posted: May 30, 2015 05:00 AM EDT

The men had their turn last summer, and now it's time for the women to show off their talents on the global stage.

Soccer is without a doubt the biggest and most popular sport in the world today. A total of 24 nations will be competing in this World Cup, five of which are Latin American squads. Those squads include Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia and Costa Rica.

Brief History

This will be the seventh Women's FIFA World Cup in soccer history, and the first ever in Canada. The United States and Germany are the two most successful teams each having won two World Cups, however it was Japan who won it all in 2011. Germany is also the only country to have won back to back World Cups.

Groupings and Rankings

Group A

Canada (8)
China (16)
New Zealand (17)
Netherlands (12)

Prediction: Canada is the host nation, and they are the top squad in Group A. With Christine Sinclair leading the way, they should easily take care of business and advance to the knockout stage. Only the U.S. has won on home soil.

Group B

Germany (1)
Ivory Coast (67)
Thailand (29)
Norway (11)

Prediction: Germany got a pretty easy bracket for their group stage. Norway may give them a tough game, but don't expect the upset. Germany will once again advance to the knockout round, and try to follow the men's footsteps as world champions.

Group C

Ecuador (48)
Japan (4)
Switzerland (19)
Cameroon (53)

Prediction: Asia usually doesn't win on the national stage very often, but the Japanese National Team is out to prove 2011 was no fluke. Nahomi Kawasumi, Aya Miyama and Homare Sawa make up a strong middle-field for Japan. Once again, the high seed will win the group and advance.

Group D

United States (2)
Australia (10)
Nigeria (33)
Sweden (5)

Prediction: This group is statistically the toughest because it has three teams ranked in the top 10 and two teams ranked in the top five. It will come down to the United States and Sweden with Abby Wambach and goalkeeper Hope Solo piloting the No. 2 team in the world.

Group E

Brazil (8)
Spain (14)
Costa Rica (37)
South Korea (18)

Prediction: Brazil always has high expectations because of the country's rich soccer history. Forward Marta Vieira da Silva is the all-time leading scorer in Women's World Cup history as well as the leading scorer among Brazilian women all-time. Brazil marches on past Group E

Group F

France (3)
England (6)
Mexico (25)
Colombia (28)

Prediction: Now here is an interesting group. These four teams from three continents represent some famous rivalry moments in soccer history. France and England will be the favorites, but Mexico will come out on top thanks to goalkeeper Cecilia Santiago.

Schedule, Where to Watch

The tournament will begin on Saturday, June 6, with Canada facing China and New Zealand playing the Netherlands. All games will be played in Canada in six different cities that include Montreal, Edmonton, Ottawa, Moncton, Winnipeg and Vancouver. The final game will be played in Vancouver on July 5.