US ranked No. 1 ahead of Women’s World Cup draw

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In this July 5, 2015, file photo, the United States Women's National Team celebrates after they beat Japan in the FIFA Women's World Cup soccer championship in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Elaine Thompson, File/AP)

PARIS — The defending champion United States is the top-ranked team for Saturday’s Women’s World Cup draw.

Germany is No. 2 in the 24-team draw, followed by host nation France and England. Canada and Australia complete the list of top-seeded teams.

European champion Netherlands is No. 7 and is the top team in Pot 2. Japan, which lost in the 2015 final, is No. 8.

The June 7-July 7 tournament will be played in nine cities in France with the final in Lyon.

Draw seedings for the Women’s World Cup in France (ranking in parentheses):

Pot 1

United States (1)
Germany (2)
France (3)
England (4)
Canada (5)
Australia (6)

Pot 2

Netherlands (7)
Japan (8)
Sweden (9)
Brazil (10)
Spain (12)
Norway (13).

Pot 3

South Korea (14)
China (15)
Italy (16)
New Zealand (19)
Scotland (20)
Thailand (29).

Pot 4

Argentina (36)
Chile (38)
Nigeria (39)
Cameroon (46)
South Africa (48)
Jamaica (53)

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