Aficionados of soccer have felt that this year's Women's World Cup in France could be a game-changer in global popularity and quality of play.
You've got the defending champion and top-ranked team in the world in the United States, a host team that plays some of the most entertaining soccer on the planet, a skilled, pacey striker from Australia who is a moving headache for defenders and goalkeepers, and as many as eight teams that can win it all.
The 24-team tournament kicks off June 7 and runs through July 7. The top two teams from each of the six groups will qualify for the Round of 16, as will the top four third-place teams.
In contrast to Canada 2015, which was played on artificial turf, France 2019 will use honest-to-goodness green grass.
