The top women's soccer players in the world descend on France beginning this week as the Women's World Cup kicks off.
According to the odds to win the Women’s World Cup, the host nation is one of the pre-tournament favorites, but will face plenty of competition for that mantle from a handful of other countries, including the defending champion United States. **video
We break down the Women’s World Cup betting odds for each group, looking at the best bets for the favorites and live underdog betting picks:
GROUP A
France (-500 to win group, +350 to win tournament)
Norway (+550, +3300)
South Korea (+1200, +10000)
Nigeria (+3300, +50000)
TEAM TO BEAT: FRANCE - The host French side is looking to make amends for a heartbreaking quarterfinal loss to Germany in 2013, and will have a passionate fan base on its side. The fourth-ranked team in the world boasts a global superstar in Eugenie Le Sommer, who plays for powerhouse Lyon and averages nearly half a goal per game internationally. France's previous best finish at the Women's World Cup is a fourth-place showing in 2011, so look for the hosts to improve on that in 2019.
LIVE UNDERDOG: SOUTH KOREA - The South Korean program is on the rise, having reached the elimination round in 2013 before bowing out to the French in the Round of 16. Chelsea stalwart Ji So-yun leads a youthful side featuring up to 10 members of perennial South Korean champion club Hyundai Red Steel Angels. It could be hard pressed to even reach the elimination stage here, but with back-to-back Top-5 finishes at the AFC Women's Asian Cup on its resume, South Korea is no pushover.
GROUP B
Germany (-450, +550)
Spain (+450, +2500)
China (+1200, +6600)
South Africa (+6600, +50000)
TEAM TO BEAT: GERMANY - The absence of Anja Mittag, who retired from international competition in 2017, will be felt here, but the Germans have more than enough talent and star power to overcome. The 2016 Olympic gold-medal side will be led by talented midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsán, who will be looking to add to her 32-goal international tally while helping Germany get over its stunning fifth-place finish in the 2017 European Championship – a tournament it had won six straight times going in.
LIVE UNDERDOG: CHINA - It has been 20 long years since the Chinese finished a surprising second at the 1999 World Cup in the United States, but things are trending up for coach Jia Xiuquan's crew. It posted a third-place finish at the Women's Asian Cup while closing second at the Asian Games. A healthy Wang Shuang is pivotal to this team's success. If she remains on the field, China has the depth and talent to surprise the Spanish and advance out of Group B along with Germany.
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GROUP C
Australia (-110, +1400)
Brazil (+137, +2500)
Italy (+600, +5000)
Jamaica (+8000, +100000)
TEAM TO BEAT: AUSTRALIA - You can't blame the Aussies for coming in a little frustrated after being knocked out in the quarterfinals in each of the previous three World Cup tournaments. But the Matildas continue to play consistent and sensational soccer, having posted three straight Top-2 finishes at the Women's Asian Cups (including a win in 2010) and reaching the quarterfinals at the 2016 Olympics. Are they ready to take the next step? At +1,400, it's worth spending to find out.
LIVE UNDERDOG: ITALY - Milena Bertolini certainly has her work cut out for her at the helm of an Italian side that is making just its third Women's World Cup appearance, and first since 1999. But it comes into France as one of the hottest women's teams in the world, with seven victories and two draws from nine international matches so far in 2019. That includes a victory over the 18th-ranked Swiss - a great momentum builder heading into what is a very challenging draw for Italy.
GROUP D
England (-163, +600)
Japan (+150, +1400)
Scotland (+1600, +15000)
Argentina (+6600, +40000)
TEAM TO BEAT: ENGLAND - The English finally got over the hump four years ago, following up back-to-back quarterfinal appearances with a third-place finish in Canada. And they might be even more dangerous this time round after hiring Phil Neville – yes, the one with six English Premier League titles as a player – as manager in 2018. Nikita Harris (19 domestic goals) will be asked to provide an offensive spark for an England side that produced four goals in three group games in 2015 and five in the elimination round.
LIVE UNDERDOG: SCOTLAND - While England and Japan – who faced off in the semifinals of the 2015 event – are expected to advance, bettors looking for some value might want to consider the Scots. While this is their first foray into the Women's World Cup - they enter as the 20th-ranked team in the world - they come in on a three-game unbeaten stretch against fellow competitors, including a victory over Group C power Brazil. Scotland could surprise if it maintains that level of play.
GROUP E
Holland (-110, +1400)
Canada (+120, +2000)
New Zealand (+1000, +12500)
Cameroon (+4000, +75000)
TEAM TO BEAT: HOLLAND - This could be the most closely-contested group in terms of which team will finish on top, but oddsmakers are giving the Dutch a slight edge over their Canadian counterparts. Holland is the ultimate late bloomer, having failed to qualify for the first six Women's World Cup tournaments before reaching the Round of 16 in 2015. Vivianne Miedema might be the best player in the event with 57 goals in 74 international games, having led her country to the 2017 European Championship title.
LIVE UNDERDOG: NEW ZEALAND - Can the Kiwis join neighboring Australia in the elimination round? The odds recommend keeping expectations in check, but this New Zealand team can score, having potted an unbelievable 43 goals in five matches at the OFC Nations Cup late last year. Keeping up with the Netherlands and Canada will prove difficult, but if the Kiwis can channel some of their OFC success – they've outscored opponents 289-16 all-time in that tournament – they could be in position for an upset.
GROUP F
United States (-450, +350)
Sweden (+333, +2500)
Chile (+3300, +50000)
Thailand (+15000, +150000)
TEAM TO BEAT: UNITED STATES - Who else? Not only are the Americans the defending champions, they have the most experience of any team in the tournament, with 20 of their 23 players having competed at least 20 times internationally. Add in the fact that Jill Ellis returns to managerial duties following her 2015 victory, and Alex Morgan remains one of the top women's players on the planet – and the favorite to lead the tournament in scoring – and it's hard to see any team other than the U.S. prevailing.
LIVE UNDERDOG: THAILAND - This one is more of a live long shot given what it will need to do just to reach the group stage, but Thailand could be an interesting gamble at the longest odds of the competition. They're a cohesive bunch, with half the roster coming from vaunted domestic powerhouse Chonburi. And 22-year-old Suchawadee Nildhamrong, who was born in the U.S., has been on fire with 12 goals in 17 matches. Expectations are low here, but you never know.
