Korea Rep.
Coach: YOON DEOKYEO
Won 31 caps for the South Korean men’s team and represented his country at the 1990 World Cup in Italy. After retiring as a player in 1993, Yoon moved into coaching and has been in charge of the women’s national team since 2012. As an ex-defender, he has concentrated on making the South Koreans a formidable defensive unit.
Star player: JI SOYUN
A 12-year veteran of the national side, Ji is her country’s playmaker, albeit one with an eye for goal. The 28-year-old has played for Chelsea in the FA Women’s Super League since 2014, where she is a two-time league and Cup winner.
Norway
Coach: MARTIN SJOGREN
After taking over from Even Pellerud – who led Norway to the world title in 1995 – Sjogren has experienced mixed results. However, a poor Euro 2017 showing was obliterated by a group-winning performance for France, and Norway will be aiming for a place in the knockout stages.
Star player: MAREN MJELDE
Ballon d’Or winner, Ada Hegerberg, will not be in France with her compatriots owing to a long-standing row over the treatment of female players by the country’s FA. In her absence, Chelsea’s Maren Mjelde, a versatile defensive star, will shoulder the hopes of her nation.
Nigeria
Coach: THOMAS DENNERBY
Swede Dennerby guided his own country to third place at the 2011 Women’s World Cup before stepping into a scouting and analysis role with the Swedish FA. Took charge of Nigeria, known as the “Super Falcons”, in January, 2018, and led them to their ninth Africa Cup of Nations crown.
Star player: ASISAT OSHOALA
Voted Africa’s top player in 2014, 2016 and 2017, and the Golden Ball and Golden Boot winner at the 2014 Women’s Under-20 World Cup, Oshoala stars for Barcelona, on loan from Chinese side Dalian Quanjian. Opposition defences will be aware the 24-year-old is deadly in front of goal.
France
Coach: CORINNE DIACRE
Capped 121 times for France as a player, Diacre was the first woman to take charge of a professional men’s team in France. Appointed national team boss in August, 2018, she has taken “Les Bleus” to fourth place in the world rankings, and a place among the pre-event favourites.
Star player: AMANDINE HENRY
The French captain has won 11 French league titles, six French Cups and five UEFA Women’s Champions Leagues with Lyon. However, international silverware has eluded her – a statistic the influential, 29-year-old midfielder will be determined to alter on home turf this summer.
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