USA vs Vietnam LIVE: Women’s World Cup updates as defending champions begin campaign
The United States begin the defence of their Women’s World Cup crown as the four-time champions play Vietnam in Auckland tonight.
The USA are aiming to become the first team to win the World Cup three times in a row, with stars such as Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe returning from their victory in France four years ago. The defending champions are favourites to retain their title but they will face competition from the top European sides, such as England and Germany, who are confident they have closed the gap.
The stage is set for the next generation to shine, such as star forward Sophia Smith, who is one of 14 players in the squad who are making their first appearance at the World Cup finals. The USA also have a new head coach from four years ago, with Vlatko Andonovski taking over from Jill Ellis, who led the team to titles in 2015 and 2019.
Follow live updates as the USA begin their Women’s World Cup campaign.
Women’s World Cup LIVE: USA vs Vietnam
USA begin World Cup campaign against Vietnam (Kick-off 9pm ET, 2am BST)
Defending champions are aiming to win their third World Cup in a row
Megan Rapinoe is playing in her last World Cup before retirement
USA are joined by Netherlands, Portugal and Vietnam in World Cup Group E
Women’s World Cup: USA vs Vietnam
00:01 , Jamie Braidwood
If you’ve won the past two World Cups, it seems fair to go into the next tournament with confidence. Naturally, the USA are comfortable in such a position. “Good luck with that,” Alex Morgan says in a pre-World Cup advert which centres around the topic of ‘how the rest of the world can stop the USA’. The four-time champions head into Australia and New Zealand on a high having formally signed their historic equal pay agreement last year - they filed their discrimination lawsuit against US Soccer before the previous World Cup in 2019. On the pitch, for the past eight years they’ve been the best, and they know it.
But for how much longer? That will really be the defining question of this World Cup.
Are the United States still the team to beat at the Women’s World Cup?
Women’s World Cup: USA vs Vietnam
23:55 , Jack Rathborn
The United States begin the defence of their Women’s World Cup crown as the four-time champions play Vietnam in Auckland tonight.
The USA are aiming to become the first team to win the World Cup three times in a row, with stars such as Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe returning from their victory in France four years ago. The defending champions are favourites to retain their title but they will face competition from the top European sides, such as England and Germany, who are confident they have closed the gap.
The stage is set for the next generation to shine, such as star forward Sophia Smith, who is one of 14 players in the squad who are making their first appearance at the World Cup finals. The USA also have a new head coach from four years ago, with Vlatko Andonovski taking over from Jill Ellis, who led the team to titles in 2015 and 2019.
Follow live updates as the USA begin their Women’s World Cup campaign.
Women’s World Cup: USA vs Vietnam
13:42 , Lawrence Ostlere
Follow all the latest as USA begin their World Cup campaign in New Zealand.
