FIFA Women's World Cup - Who will top the Groups and Key Players

With only a couple of hours remaining ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup kicking off. Here is a summary of our thoughts on who we expect to top the groups and key players to watch.

Group A: Canada (Seeded), China PR, New Zealand, Netherlands

Favourites to top the group: Canada

Canada are the hosts of the tournament but not only do they have the crowd on their side. They also have Christine Sinclair their Captain. Sinclair is currently ranked third in the World in All Time International goals scored in both male and female soccer. Canada have a great team overall they are a strong team in key areas and can hold a strong defensive line.

In the 2012 Olympics, Canada played the United States in the Semi Final at Old Trafford, Manchester. It is known as one of the best football matches of all-time. The United States narrowly beat Canada 4 -3 after extra time to seal their spot in the Olympic Gold medal Final versus Japan. However, Canada will be pushing themselves harder this time to ensure it is them who reaches the Final game.

Group B: Germany (Seeded), Côte d’Ivoire, Norway, Thailand

Favourites to top the group: Germany

Currently ranked number 1 in the World, Germany have previously won the FIFA Women's World Cup twice in 2003 and 2007. In the last edition of the tournament in 2011 they were eliminated after extra time in the Quarter Final versus eventually winners Japan. It was a shock to the World of women's football especially since Germany were the hosts.

Since then Germany have won the Euro 2013 which was held in Sweden and topped their FIFA Women's World Cup qualification group with 10 straight wins including a last minute 3 -2 clincher versus the Republic of Ireland in Tallaght Stadium. A young talent and exceptional player to watch out for in this team is Dzsenifer Marozsán. At the age of 23, Marozsán has the feet of Messi and the engine of Xavi. Once she gets on the ball there is no stopping her.

Group C: Japan (Seeded), Switzerland, Cameroon, Ecuador

Favourites to top the group: Japan

Japan are the only team ranked inside the Top 18 of the FIFA World rankings in their group and with the experience of winning the last World Cup. We have no doubt they will top this group. Japan is a very well structured team and have key players such as midfielder Homare Sawa who won the top goal scorer and player of the tournament in the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2011 plus the FIFA Women's Player of the year award 2011. Another key player Japan have is their goalkeeper Miho Fukumoto, who always rises to the big occasions.

Group D: United States (Seeded), Australia, Sweden, Nigeria

Favourites to top the group: United States

This is the toughest group to judge because it is the Group of Death. We have a feeling it is a tossup between United States and Sweden for the top spot. United States may have more of an edge than Sweden due to their high calibre in their overall line-up. Another issue here is Sweden's head coach Pia Sundhage may know her ex players of United States every move to stop them. Sundhage was the United States head coach during the previous World Cup campaign before she began coaching her home country Sweden in 2012.

There is also a bit of history between the two sides. In the last World Cup, Sweden beat the United States during the group stages which lead the United States on a tougher road trip to the Final including the famous Quarter Final match versus Brazil. A key player to watch out for in this United States team is Carli Lloyd. A veteran of the team Lloyd has scored the game winners in both the Olympics 2008 and 2012 Gold Medal finals. Lloyd is a person who plays best when under pressure.

Group E: Brazil (Seeded), Korea Republic, Spain, Costa Rica

Favourites to top the group: Spain

Although Brazil do have 5 time FIFA player of the year Marta. We have a feeling Spain might pull have a spark of magic and top this group. This will be Spain's first time competing in the FIFA Women's World Cup Finals. The side secured their spot in the Finals after an impressive qualification campaign scoring 42 goals in their 10 match campaign and only conceding two. Verónica "Vero" Boquete is a star player of the team and recently won the UEFA women's Champions League with FFC Frankfurt.

Group F: France (Seeded), England, Colombia, Mexico

Favourites to top the group:   France

France is our favourites to win this group. After seeing them in a couple of games live at this year's Algarve Cup. There is no denying their skill and organisation as a unit. They will be a hard team to stop in attack and also a compact team to try breakdown in defense. A puppeteer in midfield for France is Camille Abily who runs the show every game but a particular team mate who has been standing out of late is Eugiene Le Sommer.  Le Sommer won the overall best player of the Algarve Cup tournament in the year, we look forward to seen her in action on the main stage.