I am now officially excited for next summer, and I hope you are too. Roll on New Zealand v Norway at Eden Park on July 20, 2023.

Thanks for joining us today.

Vicki Sparks
BBC commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

China were a decent team for England to get from pot two. They avoided some of the big hitters like Canada, the Netherlands, Japan and Brazil.

They did get arguably the hardest team from pot three, Denmark.

A tricky group for the Republic of Ireland, particularly with Canada in there. They could've got a worse top seed than Australia.

Plenty of interesting matchups elsewhere. Group E sees the USA and the Netherlands, that will be a great match.

Group F could be one of the trickiest ones. France are in there, Brazil are in there, Jamaica are in there. Their leading goalscorer is Khadija Shaw of Manchester City.

There's a good spread across the groups. England will be pretty happy with that.

July 20: Australia v Ireland, Sydney Football Stadium

July 26: Canada v Ireland, Perth

July 31: Ireland v Nigeria, Brisbane

Image source, Getty Images

July 22: England v Senegal/Haiti/Chile, Brisbane

July 28: England v Denmark, Sydney Football Stadium

August 1: China v England, Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide

Image source, Getty Images

Lloyd has the right to be confident I must say, the draw looks decent for the US.

Win their group and they will likely face Italy, Argentina or South Africa in the round of 16, then possibly New Zealand or Japan in the quarter finals.

That said, we assumed the USA would stroll to victory at the Tokyo Olympics. It's a fool's game to make too many predictions.

Former United States international Carli Lloyd on if the USA could secure a third successive victory: "I'm confident about the group but it's really not about the group because there's a lot of games in a World Cup and the competition just keeps getting stronger and better.

"With 32 teams this is going to be the best and the biggest.

"The USA's mentality has always been about us. They all need to believe that they can do it. It is going to be hard, they're going to have to weather the rollercoaster ride that they're on. I hope they can bring it home."

World Cup winner Gilberto Silva on how Brazil could do: "It's an opportunity for them. First of all we have to say that we are very proud of what they have done. What they have done over the last few years is amazing.

"Now it's a chance at a very difficult tournament. They can be sure we are going to support them from the first minute to the last minute.

"I want to see them in the final. They just have to believe as much as everyone else."

The reigning champions begin their defence on July 22, the same day as England's competition begins, against Vietnam in Auckland.

The repeat of the 2019 World Cup final, against The Netherlands, is in Wellington on July 27. Make a note in your diaries.

USWNT then face one of Cameroon, Thailand or Portugal in Auckland on August 1.

If both England and USA win their groups, they cannot meet until the final.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been outlining a fundamental disparity in the men's and women's games.

Infantino says broadcasters have been offering '100 times less' globally to screen the women's World Cup compared to the men's, which will be held in Qatar next month.

He said TV companies were 'pushing us to do more for equality' but not backing that up with significant offers for next year's tournament, which he does say might be the first Women's World Cup to break even.

An interesting quirk of the fixture schedule, and the draw we've just seen, means England will play all their games in Australia.

If England win their group and Australia finish second in Group B, they will meet in the round of 16.

If all goes to the seedings after that, it would be Germany in the quarters and France in the semis.

Former England striker Ian Wright on England's chances: "I'm quite confident we can take on the world. European Champions in their own back yard, they did it. We've got a great group and an elite manager.

"We've got a target on our back, people want to beat us. We've beaten the best, we've beaten the best recently. I think they've earned the right to be an elite team. It's something we're all looking forward to now."

Fighting talk from Wrighty. He's completely correct too.

Image source, Reuters

Former New Zealand player Maia Jackman on the host nation's chances: "That opening match is going to be a huge game. Playing in front of a home crowd lifting them, they'll be ready to inspire. They'll be inspiring a new generation of male and female players. I think we're going to make some history!"

So, what do we make of that then?

No doubt that USA and Netherlands being in the same group is the headline, while Republic of Ireland face a real tough ask from Group B - the co-hosts and the Olympic champions.

What about England? Denmark and China are two tricky opponents. Sarina Wiegman will eye a strong start against whichever play-off winner they face in Brisbane on July 22.

Group A: New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Switzerland

Group B: Australia, Republic of Ireland, Nigeria, Canada

Group C: Spain, Costa Rica, Zambia, Japan

Group D: England, Group B play-off winner, Denmark, China

Group E: USA, Vietnam, Netherlands, Group A play-off winner

Group F: France, Jamaica, Brazil, Group C play-off winner

Group G: Sweden, South Africa, Italy, Argentina

Group H: Germany, Morocco, Colombia, South Korea

Group H: Germany, South Korea, Colombia, Morocco

Group G: Sweden, Italy, Argentina, South Africa

Group E: USA, Netherlands, Vietnam, Group A play-off winner

Cameroon, Thailand or Portugal will join the 2019 finalists in their group.

Group D: England, China, Denmark, Group B play-off winner

England will face one of Senegal, Haiti or Chile in their first game.