Germany, defending world titlists and four-straight-time European champions, are odds-on favorites for the World Cup, which will take place in five Chinese cities from Sept. 10 to 30.

The 16-team World Cup is divided to four groups, with the top two group finishers qualifying for the quarter-finals.

In 2003, Germany claimed their first World Cup trophy with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Sweden, becoming the first nation in the world to have taken both the men's and women's World Cup.

As the defending champions, Germany eased to qualify for 2007 World Cup. They won all eight qualification matches, including a 5-1 crushing of their toughest rival Russia, and netted 31 goals.

"We are going to China to take the title, not to defend it," said Germany coach Silvia Neid earlier this month.

"Defending the championship seems to be that we are a little bit nervous. What we need is fun," she added.

Eleven players from the 2003 champion squad, including three-time Footballer of the World Birgit Prinz, remain in the team, and they will be Neid's first choice.

"I think we have done well in combining veterans with young talents," said Neid. "We have at least two players for every position, which makes me happy."

Argentina defeated Brazil to top the South America zone and qualified for the second time since their 2003 debut.

In the 2003 finals, Argentina were whitewashed by Japan 6-0 in the opening game and then lost 3-0 to Canada. They only scored a consolation goal in the Germany game but conceded a humiliating six to the eventual winner.

In the qualifiers for the 2007 World Cup, Argentina won six matches and tied one in seven games, scoring 21 goals and allowing only one.

But as the level of South America was quite lower than that of other giants, such as the United States, Germany and Sweden, it is very difficult for Argentina to survive the group stage.

Japan and England, which both stand a better chance than Argentina, will be a challenge to Germany but not good enough to defeat the defending champions.

Although the Japanese players do not look strong in physiques, they are skilful enough to compete internationally. They beat Mexico in the qualification playoffs and will be appearing in their fifth consecutive finals.

Homare Sawa, the most famous Japanese player who has scored 60 goals in her 118 caps, will make her fourth World Cup appearance in China.

The "Nadeshiko" took the silver medal in last year's Doha Asian Games, where they also unveiled a new weapon - young forward Eriko Arakawa.

In England, which has arguably the best female footballers' training system in the world, women's players usually train with their men's counterparts in the same club, which made them more aggressive.

England will make their second show in the World Cup after a hiatus of 12 years. In 1995, they were grouped with Norway, Canada and Nigeria. They qualified as second-place finishers but lost to Germany 3-0 in the knockout stage to finish sixth.

In the qualification for the 2007 World Cup, England were unbeaten and topped more fancied group rival France. Kelly Smith and Rachel Yankey are the most reliable players on the team.

"We would like to challenge every team," said coach Hope Powell, "We like the feeling to win."