Vancouver - The 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup will be hosted by Canada from June 6 to July 5 and the AFP sports service is providing extensive news, photographic, graphic and video coverage of the event.
Beforehand, AFP is filing a series of advancers and factfiles that will bring into focus the top women's global sports event of the year.
We will shortly move the following items:
Fbl-WC2015-women,PREVIEW
VANCOUVER
The biggest ever Women's World Cup in history kicks off on Saturday amid a backdrop of damaging FIFA corruption allegations that are threatening to overshadow the four-week event in Canada.
600 words by Emmeline Moore
SAO PAULO
Fbl-WC2015-women-BRA-Marta
Pele himself dubbed her "Pele in skirts," though as she prepares for the women's World Cup Brazilian star Marta is, unlike the national icon, still chasing a breakthrough team world crown.
660 words by Rosa Sulleiro
We will also move:
Fbl-WC2015-women,fixtures
Fbl-WC2015-women,venues
Fbl-WC2015-women-winners,FACTS
Fbl-WC2015-women-teams-penpix
Fbl-WC2015-women-formguide
Fbl-WC2015-women-stars,PROFILE
We have already filed:
Fbl-WC2015-women-JPN
TOKYO
Four years ago, Japan's women pulled off an astonishing World Cup triumph, embodying the iron-willed spirit of a nation battling to recover from a deadly tsunami and nuclear crisis.
500 words by Alastair Himmer
+JPN SQUAD
Fbl-WC2015-women-USA
WASHINGTON
Memories of a heartbreaking loss to Japan on penalties in the 2011 final will inspire a star-studded United States in their quest to capture a record third world crown in Canada.
650 words by Jim Slater
+USA SQUAD
Fbl-WC2015-women-NGR
ABUJA
After winning nine of the eleven African championships so far and going to every World Cup since 1991, Nigeria are finally hoping to bring the trophy to Africa for the first time.
450 words by Samm Audu
Fbl-WC2015-women-BRA
RIO DE JANEIRO
Seeking to show they can emerge from a long shadow cast by their male counterparts, Brazil's women are targeting a strong showing at the World Cup in Canada, despite a maiden crown having proved elusive to date for the team spearheaded by former five-time world player of the year Marta.
650 words by Chris Wright
+BRA SQUAD
Fbl-WC2015-women-FRA
Ambitions are high that France, who have so often finished just off the podium, can finally lift a major title as Philippe Bergeroo's squad arrive in Canada in the form of their lives after a tough boot camp whipped them into shape for the Women's World Cup.
550 words by Stanislas Touchot
+FRA SQUAD
Fbl-WC2015-women-ENG
With a new coach and a revamped squad, England go into the Women's World Cup seeking to atone for the disappointment of their group-stage exit at the 2013 European Championship.
520 words by Tom Williams
+ENG SQUAD
Fbl-WC2015-women-GER
BERLIN
Germany's women head to Canada looking to emulate their men's World Cup success as Silvia Neid's side aim to mark her swansong with a third world crown in 12 years.
550 words by Ryland James
+GER SQUAD
Fbl-WC2015-women-CHN
China women's football team -- the Steel Roses -- must overcome a thorny opening match against hosts Canada at the World Cup as they bid to rediscover their blossoming form of the 1990s.
550 words by Neil Connor
+CHN SQUAD
Fbl-WC2015-AUS,PREVIEW
Australia's 'Matildas' have yet to progress out of the quarter-finals at five women's World Cups, but team leaders say they are ready to turn potential into genuine contention in Canada.
AFP
