PARIS (AP) — The defending champion United States is again placed in a group with Sweden for the Women's World Cup next summer in France.
The draw for soccer's premier tournament was held Saturday at a gala event in Paris amid a backdrop of unrest in the country. There were widespread clashes between police and demonstrators protesting high taxes under French President Emmanuel Macron.
The Americans defeated Japan 5-2 — highlighted by Carli Lloyd's hat trick — in Canada at the last World Cup in 2015. The U.S. has played in every World Cup since the competition started in 1991, winning the event in 1991, 1999 and 2015
Twenty-four teams were placed in six groups at the draw. The U.S. is top-ranked and is grouped with Sweden for the fifth straight World Cup.
Also in Group F are Thailand and Chile, which is making its World Cup debut.
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AP Sports Writer Anne M. Peterson contributed from Portland, Oregon.
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