In just the eighth Women’s World Cup of soccer, a field of 24 teams is down to only four in the quest to win the FIFA championship. The United States, who have won the cup three times, are both the defending champs and favorites to claim their fourth title this coming weekend.
The governing body, the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), holds the event every four years. Teams compete for a berth in the next cup through a three-year qualification phase of matches. Twenty-three teams and the host country comprise the field.