08 December 2018– Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana have been drawn in a tough group at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
South Africa will face Spain, China PR and Germany in Group B.
Banyana Banyana and Spain will kick start proceedings in the group when they tackle each on Saturday, 8 June at Stade Océane in Le Havre.
In the second match, Desiree Ellis’ charges will move to Paris for a date with China PR on Thursday, 13 June at Parc de Princes Stadium.
The last group stage fixture will take place in Montpellier, where Banyana Banyana will take on Germany on Monday, 17 June at Stade de la Mosson.
Hosts France will face Korea Republic in the competition’s opening match at the Parc des Princes on 7 June. Norway and Nigeria were also drawn in Group A. The other African representative, Cameroon, will battle it out in Group E against Canada, New Zealand and the Netherlands.
The draw took place on Saturday, 7 December in Paris, Germany.
South Africa is making their debut in the tournament, which runs from 7 June to 7 July 2019.
Also making their first appearance are Jamaica, Scotland and Chile, while Italy and Argentina have qualified for the first time since 1999 and 2007 respectively.
Jamaica is the lowest-ranked team on 53rdposition.
Brazil, Germany, Japan, Nigeria, Norway, Sweden and the USA have qualified for their eight tournament – continuing their streak of appearing in every World Cup so far.
The USA are the defending champions, and are also the top-ranked nation in the tournament on position 1 – they have won the World Cup three times prior.
The hosts, who are the top seeds, are 3rdon the FIFA Women’s Rankings
The draw was conducted by FIFA Legends Alex Scott and Louis Saha.
They were assisted by Didier Deschamps (French retired footballer who has been manager of the France national team since 2012), Marie Bochet (, French alpine skier and Paralympic Champion)Kaká (Brazilian retired professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder), Cindy Cone (ormer head coach for Portland Thorns FC in the National Women’s Soccer League, and a retired American professional soccer player, two-time Olympic Gold medalist, and 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup champion), Michael Essien (retired Ghanaian footballer), Aya Miyama (former Japanese football player. She played for the Japan national team starting in 2003, and from 2012-2016 served as captain of the team) and Steffi Jones (German football manager and former player who last managed the German women’s national team.As a defender, she earned 111 caps for the national team between 1993 and 2007, helping her country win the 2003 World Championship and three consecutive European Championships).
Some of the high-profile delegates at the event included FIFA President Gianni Infantino, CAF President Ahmad Ahmad, SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan, retired French football Marcel Desailly, retired Nigerian football legend Mercy Akide, retired Banyana Banyana legend Portia Modise, former Cameroon footballer Geremi Njitab.
The semi-finals and final will be played at Parc Olympique Lyonnaise.
THE DRAW:
Group A: France, Korea, Norway, Nigeria
Group B: Germany, China, Spain, South Africa
Group C: Australia, Italy, Brazil, Jamaica
Group D: England, Scotland, Argentina, Japan
Group E: Canada, Cameroon, New Zealand, Netherlands
Group F: United States, Thailand, Chile, Sweden
GROUP B DRAW:
Spain vs South Africa
Saturday, 08 June 2019
18:00 Local time (19h00 SA Time)
Group B
Stade Océane
Le Havre
Germany vs China PR
08 Jun 2019
21:00 Local time
Group B
Roazhon Park
Rennes
Germany vs Spain
12 Jun 2019
18:00 Local time
Group B
Stade du Hainaut
Valenciennes
South Africa vs China PR
Thursday, 13 Jun 2019
21:00 Local time (22h00 SA Time)
Group B
Parc des Princes
Paris
China PR vs Spain
17 Jun 2019 – 18:00 Local time
Group B
Stade Océane
Le Havre
South Africa vs Germany
Monday, 17 Jun 2019
18:00 Local time (19h00 SA Time)
Group B
Stade de la Mosson
Montpellier
click below for full fixtures: