Women’s World Cup Group F Preview: Marta’s Swansong Against Herve Renard’s Les Bleues

• Pia Sundhage, manager of Brazil's Women's team, will headline Marta's last World Cup appearances for Brazil
• The Selecao will face a rejuvenated French side under proven winner Herve Renard
• Jamaica and Panama are the other members of Group F

Group F will see another legend take to the field for her last World Cup when Marta leads out Brazil. The 37-year-old is expected to hang up her boots after the competition in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.

The Selecao will come up against a rebuilding French squad under Herve Renard. The former Saudi Arabia manager, famous for upsetting Lionel Messi's Argentina, will be keen to claim the scalps of more giants at the World Cup.

The other two spots will be occupied by Jamaica and Panama.

Sports Brief has also done previews for Group A, Group B, Group C, Group D, and Group E, with more to follow. Here is our preview of Group F.

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France

Les Bleus have always looked like formidable opponents, but with the addition of Herve Renard, they could be the tournament's dark horses.

The two-time African champion will be happy with the return of Eugenie Le Sommer, who is one of the game's most elite strikers.

Renard's other task will be to maintain squad unity, something that was a big challenge under Corine Diacre, who served for six years.

He reinstated his namesake, Wendie Renard, as captain, with the towering Lyon defender invaluable with her physique, experience, and leadership skills.

Player(s) to watch: Wendie Renard, Laurina Frazer, Kadidiatou Diani

Brazil

Pia Sundhage is the other head coach of known pedigree who'll be heading to this World Cup.

She will be buoyant, having seen her team go toe-to-toe with European giants England and Germany in recent friendlies.

They are among the only few teams to have participated in every World Cup, but their best finish remains their loss to Germany in the 2007 final.

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Marta, who has struggled with fitness issues of late, will be in for her last World Cup. The evergreen attacking midfielder could dig deep one more time for her nation.

She will receive able help from Debinha, whose importance has risen over the years. She placed 6th in last year's Ballon d'Or vote.

Player(s) to watch: Debinha, Marta

Jamaica

The Reggae Girlz are back for what will be their second-ever appearance at the tournament. For a team that has had many highs and lows in the last 15 years, this will be a big achievement.

Their debut campaign in 2019 ended on a sour note as they lost all their three group games, scoring once and conceding 12 times in the process.

This time around, Lorne Donaldson's charges head Down Under with more experience, though the strength of their opponents in Group F could be demoralising.

To their advantage, however, is the presence of Khadija Shaw, one of Europe's most elite strikers. At only 26, the Manchester City striker has shown her tenacity and aptness to breach any defence.

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Shaw will be key to Donaldson's plans in his preferred 4-5-1 formation when they play France, Brazil, and Panama. They will be one of the two Caribbean representatives at the tournament.

Player(s) to watch: Khadija Shaw, Jody Brown

Panama

The appointment of Nacho Quintana as the team's head coach in 2020 proved to be a masterstroke. Having missed qualifying for France 2019 by a whisker, Quintana took them to the promised land for their debut showing after beating Paraguay in the play-off final.

As debutants, Las Canaleras won't be expected to make many inroads into the tourney, but with the presence of Marta Cox and Riley Tanner, the nation's hopefuls will feel that anything is possible.

The former made her national team debut aged 14 and has progressed nicely through the ranks to become a core member of the squad.

Tanner, meanwhile, only made her debut during the playoff games in Aotearoa in New Zealand. She became the first Panamian to join a USA side when Washington Spirit signed her.

Player(s) to watch: Marta Cox, Riley Tanner