KOREA DPR
Previous FIFA Women’s World Cup appearances: 1999, 2003
All-time best: 1999 and 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup group stages
Coach: Kim Kwang-min has rebuilt the national team over the past three years and brought through several young players. Kim is a shrewd tactician who believes in discipline and attractive football.
Star player: Ho Sun-hui is the linchpin of the side. The 27-year-old midfielder is a wonderful passer with many a trick up net sleeve and a good eye for goal. She is currently one of the best footballers in the women’s game.
The team: The North Koreans are quick, agile, full of stamina and ambition and their newly rebuilt team could turn out to be dark horses in China. Women’s football in Korea DPR is on the up, as shown by their triumph in the 2006 FIFA Women’s U-20 World Championship.

NIGERIA
Previous FIFA Women’s World Cup appearances: 1991, 1995, 1999,2003
All-time best: 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-finals
Coach: Effiom Ntiero has been in women’s football since 1990, initially as coach of Nigeria’s most successful women’s club, Pelican Stars. The 52-year-old former professional, who never experienced international football as a player, was appointed women’s national coach just under a year ago.
Star player: The Super Falcons’ captain and five-time African Women’s Championship winner Kikelomo Ajayi. Technically strong, ambitious and a fearsome tackier, the 30-year-old is Africa’s most successful women’s footballer. Ajayi enjoys playing the drums in her spare time and is an admirer of Roberto Carlos.
The team: Having dominated women’s football in Africa for many years, Nigeria’s breakthrough in the World Cup is long overdue. With players such as Ajayi, Perpetua Nkwocha, Mercy Akide, Florence Omagbemi and Cynthia Uwak, there is no shortage of talent in their side.

USA
Previous FIFA Women’s World Cup appearances: 1991, 1995, 1999,2003
All-time best: 1991 and 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup winners
Coach: Greg Ryan took over from April Heinrichs two years ago. Before that, he coached various US women’s teams. Ryan was born in Germany, grew up in Dallas and was a team-mate of Franz Beckenbauer and Carlos Alberto at the New York Cosmos.
Star player: With 325 caps and 125 goals in an international career spanning 20 years, Kristine Lilly is still the leader of the US team.
The36-year-old’s outstanding fitness has enabled her to scale Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, as well as spend a season playing men’s professional indoor football for the Washington Warthogs.
The team: The USA have their sights set on the title and are more than capable of winning it. The tournament favourites are stronger and more balanced than ever and spent several months preparing for the tournament in optimum conditions in California.