Summary

  • England drawn in Group D alongside China and Denmark

  • Lionesses will play all group games in Australia

  • Debutants Republic of Ireland in Group B with Olympic champions Canada and hosts Australia

  • World Cup takes place in New Zealand & Australia from 20 July to 20 August next year

  1. Postpublished at 08:27 British Summer Time 22 October 2022

    Group C: Spain, Japan

  2. Postpublished at 08:27 British Summer Time 22 October 2022

    Group B: Australia, Canada

    England avoid the Olympic champions.

  3. Postpublished at 08:26 British Summer Time 22 October 2022

    Group A: New Zealand, Norway

    Norway are then assigned to place A2, meaning New Zealand v Norway will be the opening game.

  4. Postpublished at 08:24 British Summer Time 22 October 2022

    Pot 2 is up next.

    Olympic champions Canada lead the way, along with Netherlands, Brazil, Japan, Norway, Italy, China and South Korea.

  5. Postpublished at 08:23 British Summer Time 22 October 2022

    England's opening group game will be on Saturday 22 July in Brisbane. They then play on Friday 28 July in Sydney, with their final pool match on Tuesday 1 August in Adelaide.

    But who will they face?

  6. Postpublished at 08:22 British Summer Time 22 October 2022

    Group G: Sweden

    Meaning Group H contains Germany.

  7. Postpublished at 08:21 British Summer Time 22 October 2022

    Group F: France

  8. Postpublished at 08:20 British Summer Time 22 October 2022

    Group E: USA

  9. Postpublished at 08:20 British Summer Time 22 October 2022

    Group D: England

    So the Lionesses will be playing their group games in Australia - in Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide.

    World Cup drawImage source, Getty Images
  10. Postpublished at 08:19 British Summer Time 22 October 2022

    Group C: Spain

  11. Postpublished at 08:17 British Summer Time 22 October 2022

    Group A: New Zealand

    Group B: Australia

    Those were pre-assigned so the co-hosts play their group games at home.

  12. Postpublished at 08:16 British Summer Time 22 October 2022

    First up, Pot 1 - Australia, New Zealand, United States, Sweden, Germany, England, France and Spain.

  13. Postpublished at 08:15 British Summer Time 22 October 2022

    Here we go...

    Women's World Cup drawImage source, FIFA
  14. Postpublished at 08:13 British Summer Time 22 October 2022

    We're being taken through how the draw works again - so allow me to remind you as well...

    The 29 qualified teams and three play-off tournament placeholders have been placed into four pots of eight teams each, based on the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings.

    The highest ranked teams – along with hosts Australia and New Zealand - are in Pot 1, followed by the next eight teams in Pot 2 and so forth.

    Nations will be allocated to Groups A-H with four countries in each group.

    England are in Pot 1 while Republic of Ireland are in Pot 3.

  15. Postpublished at 08:11 British Summer Time 22 October 2022

    Australian Olympic swimmer Cate Campbell: "I think [the fans are] something that's been really missed over the past two years: that atmosphere, that excitement, that passion.

    "Everyone, learn the words to Waltzing Matilda! I think Australia and New Zealand are going to have a home advantage, so look out."

  16. Postpublished at 08:11 British Summer Time 22 October 2022

    Former Cameroon international Geremi: "Since FIFA decided to focus on women's football the confederations of Africa have become aware of working for the development of women's football. The potential is there for sure.

    "I hope the nations who represent Africa will perform well. That will sure inspire young girls to play this magnificent sport."

  17. Postpublished at 08:10 British Summer Time 22 October 2022

    Former USA international Alexi Lalas: "It's going to be difficult. We are so proud of our US women's national team on and off the field. We have high expectations, two World Cups in a row and going for an unprecedented third World Cup, never been done in men's or women's.

    "Everyone is gunning for us, everyone is coming for us. Some people saying people have even caught up, if you're coming for America you best not miss.

    "We're so excited about having it in Australia and New Zealand."

  18. Postpublished at 08:08 British Summer Time 22 October 2022

    Former Australia international Julie Dolan: "It's probably something every pioneering Matilda dreamed of. It really makes all the hard work more worthwhile.

    "The thousands of cakes we baked and sold to get to tournaments, it was a matter of doing what it took. Here we are today, just wow! I think every pioneering player will feel this is part of them."

  19. Postpublished at 08:06 British Summer Time 22 October 2022

    The draw assistants - those who will pull the balls from the bowls - are being welcomed on stage.

    Australian swimmer Cate Campbell, ex-New Zealand star Maia Jackman, 2002 World Cup winner Gilberto Silva, Olympic gold medallist Zoi Sadowski-Sinnott, first ever Australian women's football captain Julie Dolan, ex-England striker Ian Wright, former Cameroon star Geremi, and ex-USA hero Alexi Lalas are doing the honours.

    Wrighty is late arriving on stage, missing his introduction cue. But we love him, so it's ok.

  20. Postpublished at 08:03 British Summer Time 22 October 2022

    Two-time World Cup winner Carli Lloyd: "This is everything. This draw tonight sets the stage. This is where the excitement begins. This is a movement. Women's football is here and it's going to get bigger and better.

    "It's going to be amazing. It's going to be the biggest and the best."