United States test for Sweden

Sweden will tackle hosts and favourites the United States in their opening match of the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup, while fellow Europeans Norway and France will also meet following last night's draw in California.

Final venue
The draw took place at the Home Depot Center in Carson, the venue for the 12 October final. The tournament features 16 teams which were divided into four groups of four. The group winners and runners-up will qualify for the knockout stage. The quarter-finals will be played on 1 and 2 October in Foxboro and Portland, the venue for the 5 October semi-finals.

Tough group
Sweden found themselves in Group A alongside the US, Nigeria and North Korea, a section which brought together three of the top seven ranked teams in the world following the release of the first world rankings for women's football on Wednesday. The Swedes are ranked fifth and their coach, Marika Domanski Lyfors, was excited by the draw.

'Fantastic for Sweden'
"I think that every team can beat each other in our group," she told the official Women's World Cup website. "It will be a very competitive and interesting group ... I would be lying if I said I wasn't hoping for an easier draw, but I think that we have a team that can beat everyone and now we have to show it. It is fantastic for Sweden to open the tournament against the US."

Norway v France
The 1995 winners and reigning Olympic champions Norway will square off against European opposition in the shape of France, who defeated England in a play-off to claim their place in the competition. The Norwegians are rated the second best team in the world and the French ninth, and they will be hoping to get the better of Brazil and the Korean Republic.

'Good chance'
The European champions Germany, ranked third, are in Group C alongside Canada, Japan and Argentina. Germany midfield player Sandra Minnert said: "We can be happy with our draw - it's a very good group but I think that we have a good chance to procede." Europe's fifth representative, Russia, are in Group D with fancied China, Ghana and Australia.

2003 FIFA Women's World Cup draw: