Group D comprises no fewer than three former competition finalists: China PR, Nigeria and Germany, the last two of whom faced off in the 2010 and 2014 finals. Completing the quartet are FIFA Women’s World Cup debutants Haiti, who will be hoping to reprise the form they showed in qualifying and defy the odds.

The teams: Haiti | China PR | Nigeria | Germany |

The big match Nigeria-Germany Nigeria and Germany come together in this all-important Group D opener in Saint-Malo on 6 August. There is not much these two sides do not know about each other at this level, having met several times already, most notably in the final at Germany 2010 and Canada 2014. With the Germans winning on both those occasions, the Nigerians will not be lacking in motivation for this crucial encounter.

Did you know? France 2018 will see Haiti make their debut at the FIFA Women’s World Cup (in any age group) and also the first appearance by a Caribbean side at a major FIFA women’s tournament.

The stat 4 The number of countries who have never missed a single edition of the tournament. Group D rivals Nigeria and Germany form part of that select club along with Brazil and USA.

What they said “We knew we would have a big task ahead of us, no matter who we faced. We’re happy to be here and with the draw.” Haiti coach Marc Collat

“It’s a challenging group, but then they all are. I’m delighted to be playing in Saint-Malo because it’s such a lovely town. We’ll playing Nigeria there in our first game, one that shows you just how tough this group is, as we’ve faced them twice in the final.” Germany coach Maren Meinert

“I always go into competitions with the idea that I’m good enough to win them. I’m confident and optimistic about our chances in this group.” China PR coach Peter Bonde