Soccer

Women’s World Cup 2015 schedule: Full fixture list and must-watch games

The draw produced some clear standout matches, so we won’t need to wait to see great soccer.

Dec 6, 2014, 6:49 PM UTC

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Along with the draw for the Women’s World Cup, the schedule was finalized on Saturday, so fans can make travel plans and figure out which days they need to fake sick.

While the format of the tournament is very forgiving to top sides that slip up -- three teams will advance from four of the six groups -- the draw still produced some amazing matchups. Here are five that you should definitely mark down on your calendar.

Canada vs. China - Saturday, June 6

It’s the opening match, and it should be a good one too. China were one of the world’s top sides during the early years of the Women’s World Cup, but they’ve been dormant for a few cycles. They’ve enjoyed a nice resurgence recently and should be able to challenge the hosts.

France vs. England - Tuesday, June 9

These two countries produce talent comparable to Germany and the Nordic countries, but they've yet to translate that into major tournament success. One of them is likely to win Group F, and the team that comes out of it with a higher seed might go on to have their best World Cup ever.

Germany vs. Norway - Thursday, June 11

While Norway don’t have many huge name stars, they were impressive in the most recent European championship and always have competitive sides at the World Cup. This should be a good early test for Germany, one of the big favorites to win the tournament, despite their disappointing showings at recent big tournaments.

USA vs. Sweden - Friday, June 12

Sweden were one of the top 5 ranked teams coming into the draw, ahead of Brazil, but the South Americans controversially got seeded in Pot 1. That set up the possibility of this match, which should be the biggest of the group stage.

The USA have had some impressive friendlies and have amazing talent, but they played down to their competition at times during CONCACAF qualifying. If they don’t beat Australia in their opener -- and that’s far from a guarantee -- this might be a must-win game for the US to avoid finishing 3rd in Group D, which could see them draw a monster in the round of 16.

Brazil vs. Spain - Saturday, June 13

Two of the tournament's dark horses got drawn together, and this could serve as a serious litmus test for them, as well as a potential eliminator. Spain have just recently started to take women's football very seriously and their squad has some seriously impressive players, while Brazil, as always, have Marta. These are two top-heavy squads hoping they have enough depth to hang with the likes of USA, Japan and the European powers.

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If you want to see the entire draw, you can find that right here.

Canada will play their first two group stage games in Moncton before closing out group play in Montreal. If they win the group, their Round of 16 and quarterfinal matches would be played in Edmonton. The United States will start out in Winnipeg for their first two matches, then go to Vancouver to finish their group games. They’ll go to Edmonton for their Round of 16 game, then Ottawa for their quarterfinal if they win the group.

Times have not been set for the games, but they will be added below when they’re finalized. American broadcast information will also be added when it’s announced. All games will be on one of FOX’s networks.

Saturday, June 6

Canada vs. China
New Zealand vs. Netherlands

Sunday, June 7

Germany vs. Ivory Coast
Norway vs. Thailand

Monday, June 8

Japan vs. Switzerland
Cameroon vs. Ecuador
United States vs. Australia
Sweden vs. Nigeria

Tuesday, June 9

Brazil vs. South Korea
Spain vs. Costa Rica
France vs. England
Colombia vs. Mexico

Wednesday, June 10

Rest day.

Thursday, June 11

Canada vs. New Zealand
China vs. Netherlands
Germany vs. Norway
Ivory Coast vs. Thailand