The pathway for the U.S. women’s national soccer team to win an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup title next year will include a group-stage showdown with the country it defeated in the 2019 final, the Netherlands, and could feature a round-of-16 clash with second-ranked Sweden.
Otherwise, the top-ranked Americans welcomed the results of the draw conducted Saturday in New Zealand, which will co-host the tournament with Australia.
As the top seed in Group E, the United States will play all first-round matches in New Zealand and potentially all but one in that country before the Aug. 20 final in Sydney.