The United States will be playing for an unprecedented three-peat at this year’s Women’s World Cup. It won’t be easy for the No. 1 team in the world.
The United States is out of the Women’s World Cup after its bid for an unprecedented three-peat ended in a penalty shootout loss to Sweden in the round of 16. The United States started with a 3-0 win over Vietnam and followed it up with a 1-1 draw against Netherlands in a rematch of the 2019 final. Then it got worse. The Americans squeezed into the knockout stage as the No. 2 team in the group after a very shaky 0-0 draw with Portugal. After its opening knockout game ended scoreless in regulation and extra time, Sweden won 5-4 on penalty kicks.
Co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, the quadrennial tournament for international soccer’s most coveted trophy kicked off July 20 and has featured an expanded field of 32 teams, up from 24. There are 64 matches during the tournament.
The U.S. won the 2015 event in Canada and the 2019 tournament in France and have four titles overall, the most of any nation.
WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
RESULTS
Sweden knocked the defending champion United States out of the Women’s World Cup 5-4 on penalties after their round of 16 game ended scoreless in regulation and extra time. The Americans were trying to win an unprecedented third consecutive title. Instead, they were eliminated in the first of the knockout rounds for the first time.
Netherlands advanced to the quarterfinals after a 2-0 win over South Africa. Jill Roord and Lineth Beerensteyn scored at the Sydney Football Stadium to secure the 2019 runners-up a place in the last eight.
WOMEN’S WORLD CUP SCHEDULE
On Monday, European champion England takes on Nigeria in Brisbane at 2 p.m. local time (Midnight ET) and co-host Australia is against Denmark at 8:30 p.m. local time (6:30 a.m. ET) at Sydney’s Stadium Australia.
On Tuesday, the round of 16 wraps up with Colombia against Jamaica at 6 p.m. local time (4 a.m. ET) in Melbourne and France against Morocco in Adelaide at 8:30 p.m. local time (7 am. ET).
HOW TO WATCH THE FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
Fox holds the English-language media rights in the United States for the Women’s World Cup. Telemundo holds the Spanish-language rights.
Fox will broadcast a record 29 matches over the air on its main network and the rest of the games will be aired on FS1. All matches will be streamed on the Fox app.
FIFA struck a collective deal with the European Broadcasting Union in mid-June, ending a standoff with a broadcasters in five major European television markets. The deal guarantees the games will air in France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Britain.
TOP STORIES
Key midfielder Keira Walsh gave England a potential boost ahead of its round of 16 clash with Nigeria when she returned from injury to practice with the team Sunday, one day before the elimination match.
Sam Kerr missed Australia’s run through the group stage because of a calf injury, but the Matildas’ inspirational captain is finally expected to get on the field against Denmark in the round of 16.
When he dared speak up about pay and conditions for the Nigeria women’s team, Randy Waldrum was described by one federation official as the worst coach to ever lead the Super Falcons to a Women’s World Cup. After orchestrating a run to a knockout-stage game against European champion England, he’s still got the podium.
BETTING GUIDE
The defending champion U.S. team’s round-of-16 exit leaves England as favorite to win the title at +220 ahead of its knockout game against Nigeria, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Spain is listed next at +380, followed by Japan at +500, France at +650 and Sweden at +850.
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AP Women’s World Cup coverage:
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