US face Netherlands at FIFA Women’s World Cup in repeat of final

AUCKLAND: Holders and four-time champions the United States will face the Netherlands in the group phase of next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in a repeat of the 2019 final. Megan Rapinoe’s United States will also meet debutants Vietnam and a play-off winner at the finals in Australia and New Zealand, following the draw in Auckland on Saturday. European champions England, the pre-tournament favorites together with the Americans, will play China, Denmark and one of Senegal, Haiti or Chile.

Led by veteran forward Rapinoe, the US are top of the FIFA rankings and going for a third crown in a row, having beaten the Dutch 2-0 in the 2019 final. Germany, Sweden, France and Spain will also be sides to watch out for when the World Cup is staged at 10 stadiums in New Zealand and Australia from July 20 to August 20, 2023. The opening match will be co-hosts New Zealand against former champions Norway in Auckland.

With 32 teams — divided into eight groups of four — it will be the largest FIFA Women’s World Cup since the tournament began in 1991. The US will meet minnows Vietnam to start their campaign, then up next will be the Dutch. Their other game will be against Portugal, Cameroon or Thailand.

“We’re excited about the match-ups. It’s a pretty tough group, but at the same time it’s going to be good games, especially against Holland,” said United States coach Vlatko Andonovski. “The Dutch are very good, they have always been one of the top teams, they won the previous Euro and got into the final of the last World Cup.