Girls At War As FIFA U-20 World Cup Kicks-off.

The die is cast, the stage is set, the gladiators are ready as the 9^th edition of the FIFA u-20 Women’s World Cup kicks-off today in France. This championship started in 2002 as the FIFA u-19 Women’s World Championship. The age limit was raised from 19 to 20 in 2006.

Sixteen teams will battle for supremacy in this championship. They have been drawn in four groups of four teams each.

In group A, host, France will face one of Africa’s representative, Ghana, New Zealand and debutants Netherlands.

Defending and two time champions, North Korea will tackle, England, Mexico and South American giants, Brazil in group B.

Champions in 2002, 2008 and 2012, USA will lurk horns with Japan, Paraguay and Spain.

In group D, the Falconets of Nigeria, who were runners-up in 2010 and 2014 will battle Germany, whom they lost to in both finals, China and another debutant, Haiti..

The matches will hold in four venues, all in the Brittany region of France.

FIFA has appointed 15 referees and 30 assistant referees to officiate the World Cup. The World Cup will end on August 24.

Today’s matches will see Mexico tackle Brazil while New Zealand confronts Netherlands. North Korea battles England while France takes on Ghana.

France will also host the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.