England’s FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign begins in Nice on Sunday afternoon – and here’s the lowdown on the Lionesses’ Group D opponents:
Argentina
Head coach: Carlos Borrello
FIFA ranking: 37
England’s record against Argentina: P1 W1 D0 L0
The South Americans have only qualified for two of the previous seven World Cups, in 2003 and 2007, and have never progressed beyond the group stage.
Indeed, they have lost all six World Cup finals matches they have played, including a 6-1 defeat by England in China.
Argentina made it to France 2019 by trouncing Panama 5-1 in a play-off after finishing third at the 2018 Copa America Feminina.
Head coach Carlos Borrello was in charge for both of their previous World Cup appearances – and was re-appointed in July 2017.
Remarkably, midfielder Mariela Coronel was named in the Argentina squad 16 years after her last World Cup appearance, in 2003.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Vanina Correa (CA Rosario Central), Gabriela Garton (unattached), Solana Pereyra (UAI Urquiza)
Defenders: Agustina Barroso (Madrid CFF), Eliana Stabile (Boca Juniors), Adriana Sachs (UAI Urquiza), Aladana Cometti (Sevilla), Gabriella Chavez (CA River Plate), Natalie Juncos (unattached)
Midfielders: Vanessa Santana (Logrono CFF), Ruth Bravo (CD Tacon), Estefania Banini (Levante UD), Miriam Mayorga (UAI Urquiza), Lorena Benitez (Boca Juniors), Mariela Coronel (Granada CF Femenino), Dalila Ippolito (CA River Plate)
Forwards: Sole Jaimes (Lyon), Florencia Bonsegundo (Sporting Huelva), Maria Potassa (UAI Urquiza), Mariana Larroquette (CA River Plate), Milagros Menendez (UAI Urquiza).
Japan
Head coach: Asako Takakura-Takemoto
FIFA ranking: 7
England’s record against Japan: P5 W2 D2 L1
Legendary captain Homare Sawa guided Japan to World Cup glory in 2011.
Rachel Yankey and Ellen White scored as England defeated Norio Sasaki’s side in the group stage, but the Asian powerhouses bounced back to lift the trophy after defeating USA on penalties in the final.
Japan were runners-up in Canada four years later, beating England in a dramatic semi-final, and they arrive in France as one of the favourites to lift the trophy.
They could become the first side to reach three consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.
Phil Neville’s side met Japan as recently as March and a 3-0 victory at the SheBelieves Cup, with goals from Lucy Staniforth, Karen Carney and Beth Mead clinching the prestigious international trophy.
England have met Japan in three World Cups, in 2007, 2011 and 2015.
Current Japan boss Asako Takakura-Takemoto went to two World Cups as a player, in 1991 and 1995.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Sakiko Ikeda (Urawa Red Diamonds), Ayaka Yamashita (NTV Beleza), Chika Hirao (Albirex Nilgata Ladies)
Defenders: Rumi Utsugi (Reign), Aya Sameshima (Kobe Leonessa), Saki Kumagai (Lyon), Nana Ichise (Vegalta Sendai), Moeka Minami (Urawa Red Diamonds), Asato Miyagawa (NTV Beleza), Shiori Miyake (Kobe Leonessa)
Midfielders: Hina Sugita (Kobe Leonessa), Emi Nakajima (Kobe Leonessa), Mizuho Sakaguchi (NTV Beleza), Riko Ueki (NTV Beleza), Yui Hasegawa (NTV Beleza), Yuka Momiki (NTV Beleza), Narumi Miura (NTV Beleza), Jun Endo (NTV Beleza), Risa Shimizu (NTV Beleza)
Forwards: Mana Iwabuchi (Kobe Leonessa), Yuika Sugasawa (Urawa Red Diamonds), Rikako Kobayashi (NTV Beleza), Kumi Yokoyama (Nagano Parceiro).
Scotland
Head coach: Shelley Kerr
FIFA ranking: 20
England’s record against Scotland: P25 W22 D1 L2
This is the first time Scotland have made it to the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, pipping Switzerland to top spot in their qualifying group, only losing one of their eight matches.
Eleven of their 23-player squad ply their trade in the FA WSL, including captain and midfield star Kim Little of Arsenal.
Head coach Shelley Kerr is a former Scotland captain who took over as boss of the national team in 2017. She led the Gunners to the Women’s FA Cup in 2014.
England’s first-ever international match was against Scotland, on 18 November 1972. England won 3-2 in Greenock, with their goals coming from Sylvia Gore and a Pat Davies brace.
The last time England faced Scotland was at Euro 2017, when a Jodie Taylor hat-trick helped steer the Lionesses to a 6-0 win.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Lee Alexander (Glasgow City), Jenna Fife (Hibernian), Shannon Lynn (Vittsjo GIK)
Defenders: Chloe Arthur (Birmingham City), Jennifer Beattie (Manchester City), Rachel Corsie (Utah Royals), Nicola Docherty (Glasgow City), Sophie Howard (Reading), Hayley Lauder (Glasgow City), Joelle Murray (Hibernian), Kirsty Smith (Manchester United)
Midfielders: Lizzie Arnot (Manchester United), Leanne Crichton (Glasgow City), Kim Little (Arsenal), Jo Love (Glasgow City), Christie Murray (Liverpool), Caroline Weir (Manchester City)
Forwards: Fiona Brown (FC Rosengard), Lana Clelland (Fiorentina), Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Claire Emslie (Orlando Pride), Lisa Evans (Arsenal), Jane Ross (West Ham).
