Brazil
Coach: VADAO
Led his side to Copa America glory last year, where they swept all before them, winning all seven of their matches. He is in his second spell in charge of his country, having previously led them to the last 16 of the 2015 World Cup. He will see Australia as the biggest threat to his side’s hopes of progression this summer.
Star player: MARTA
Having been crowned the best female player in the world six times, Marta is considered a living legend of the women’s game. This summer will be her fifth World Cup, where she will look to add to the record 15 goals she has already bagged in the tournament.
Italy
Coach: MILENA BERTOLINI
Led Italy to the World Cup after a 20-year gap, when they booked their place in France with a game to spare. Bertolini spent 15 years as a player in the Italian top flight, before coaching spells with Verona, Reggiana and Brescia before taking charge of the national team in August 2017.
Star player: BARBARA BONANSEA
A standout player for both Juventus and Italy, Bonansea will be the key figure for “La Squadra Azzura” in France. At her best, she is near-impossible to defend against down the left flank, from where she is equally adept at picking out team-mates and going for goal herself.
Jamaica
Coach: HUE MENZIES
With more than 30 years of coaching behind him, Menzies has spent the last five working with the Jamaican women’s team. He steered the “Reggae Girlz” to their first World Cup with a historic penalty shoot-out win over Panama – the first time any Caribbean nation had qualified.
Star player: JODY BROWN
The teenage striker was named Young Player of the Tournament at the last CONCACAF Women’s Championship, where her goals helped Jamaica secure their place in France. She made one and scored one in the shoot-out victory over Panama. Now she’ill look to shine again on the world stage.
Australia
Coach: ANTE MILICIC
Capped six times by the Australian men’s team, Milicic enjoyed a playing career as a striker, which included spells in Holland with NAC Breda and Croatia with Rijeka. He was assistant manager of the Aussie men at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups before stepping into the women’s hot seat in February, 2019.
Star player: SAM KERR
Shortlisted for the 2018 FIFA Women’s Ballon d’Or, the Chicago Red Stars attacker will be the Matildas’ focal point in France. She has notched 31 goals in 76 appearances for her country – a number she will be desperate to add to as Australia bid once again for the latter stages.
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