Group B: Germany | Ivory Coast | Norway | Thailand
Ivory Coast's path to its first Women's World Cup was a test of perseverance.
The journey
After barely making it back into the African Women's Championship, Les Elephantes advanced to the knockout stage of the qualifying tournament after going 1-1-1 in group play. In the semifinals, they took Cameroon to extra time before losing. With three spots reserved for African entrants at the 2015 Women's World Cup, Ivory Coast faced an all-or-nothing match against heavily favored South Africa in the third-place game. But the underdogs prevailed, punching their tickets to Canada with a lone goal in the 84th minute.
World Rankings
Ivory Coast peaked at a No. 65 FIFA ranking in 2014.
The rep
While other lightweights have relied on one or two special players to raise the level of their less-talented teammates, Ivory Coast's success is more by committee. Coach Clementine Toure's team boasted nine different goal scorers during all African Women's Championship qualifying matches, and its commitment to team defending -- something African sides often struggle with -- helped it concede just four goals in its last four AWC games.
Projected Formation
The Ivory Coast is expected to go with a 4-3-3 lineup:
The question
Is Ivory Coast in over its head? As much credit as it deserves for qualifying against the odds, each of its three Group B foes are ranked higher than Nigeria, Africa's top team. The Ivorians' opener against world No. 1 Germany on the second day of the competition will be their first true David-versus-Goliath matchup.
Players to watch
Here are three Ivory Coast players who should be on your radar:
• Jose Nahi, F: Nahi, 25, was the Ivory Coast's second-leading scorer and is one of five team members employed abroad (the forward plays for the Zvezda 2005). Fans have dubbed her "the female Emmanuel Adebayor."
• Dominique Thiamale, GK: The veteran goalkeeper and captain will set the tone, on and off the pitch. After allowing four goals in the AWC opener, she settled in and conceded just four more over the rest of the event.
• Ida Guehai, MF: The 20-year-old midfielder chipped in two goals in qualifying at the African Women's Championship, including the Cup-clincher in the 84th minute of the third-place match against South Africa.
Group-stage schedule
Ivory Coast's first two matches will be at Lansdowne Stadium in Ottawa, while the third will be held at Moncton Stadium:
• June 7: Germany, 4 p.m. ET
• June 11: Thailand, 7 p.m. ET
• June 15: Norway, 4 p.m. ET
Foudy's Take
Group B has not one, but two Women's World Cup debutants in Ivory Coast and Thailand. I love new countries being exposed to the World Cup and the excitement that generates. But at the end of the group stage, Germany will take first place and Norway second in this group.
Social Scene
Earlier today @FIFCI_tweet played @FecafootOfficie as both warmed-up for #FIFAWWC. The result appears not online yet. pic.twitter.com/Npw2jDaVND
- FIFA Women'sWorldCup (@FIFAWWC) May 10, 2015
