The world governing body has assembled a select group of experts for its TSG, whose analysis of the 52 matches will comprise a detailed breakdown of the action on the pitch and the identification of potential trends for inclusion in the technical report that will be distributed after the competition.

Drawn alongside two-time winners Germany as well as South Africa and Spain, most observers do not consider the 16th-ranked Steel Roses among the top contenders, but head coach Jia believes there is no reason his charges can't add a global crown to their eight Asian titles.

Lyon's victory completes a treble following domestic league and cup titles, and gives the French club a record-extending six European titles, all of which have come since 2011.

In this week's Asian Watch; Australia and Korea Republic have announced their final squads, and a Paris-bound Thailand are close to the doing the same, while Asako Takakura has reflected on the importance of last April's AFC Women's Asian Cup triumph in Jordan.

Unsurprisingly, UK-based stars Ji So-yun and captain Cho So-hyun both feature in the 23-strong contingent, which also features 10 players from Korean domestic champions Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels.

West Ham United's Cho is Korea Republic's most capped international, while Chelsea's Ji - with 53 international goals - is the country's all-time top scorer.

The striker's inclusion - which is set to make her Australia's youngest World Cup player - is among the biggest talking points in an otherwise richly-experienced 23-strong squad, which features 15 players to have previously appeared in the tournament and 12 with over 50 international caps.

The teenager's selection comes after four previous appearances for the Matildas - including a substitute appearance in their most recent outing against the United States - as well as seven goals in three matches in last month's 2019 AFC U-19 Women's Championship Qualifiers.

Milicic, who took charge of Australia’s senior women’s national football team in February 2019 shortly before the inaugural Cup of Nations, will oversee Australia’s bid to qualify for Tokyo 2020 early next year, and, if successful, will guide the Matildas to the 12-nation tournament in Japan.

One of Milicic’s assistant coaches, Ivan Jolic, has also had his contract extended for the same period.