France 2019 World Cup preview

With the World Cup kicking off on Friday, Natalie Sawyer is joined by former England star Claire Rafferty, as well as Molly Hudson, Rebecca Myers and Matt Dickinson from the Times to preview arguably the most high-profile tournament in the history of women’s football.

It almost came home last summer but will it finally be coming home for England? Can Phil Neville lead the Lionesses to glory? And what impact will the World Cup have on future generations? Will the harshest critics of the women’s game take the tournament to their heart?

If it’s not to be England, who are the teams and players to watch? Can six-time World Player of the Year Marta finally lift the game’s richest prize? Will it be a World Cup double for the French?

The Game will bring you podcasts twice a week throughout the tournament, featuring some of The Times’ finest writers out in France.