AUCKLAND, July 24 (Reuters) - Former champions Germany and fellow powerhouses Brazil will kick off their Women's World Cup title challenges on Monday, while newcomers Morocco will make history by becoming the first Arab side to compete in the tournament.
Second-ranked Germany won consecutive World Cups in 2003 and 2007 but their last major triumph, excluding an Olympic gold in 2016, was a decade ago when they won an eighth European Championship.
"Women's football teams have come closer than ever," Voss-Tecklenburg said before Germany face Morocco in Group H in Melbourne.
Veteran forward Marta, Brazil's record scorer with 115 goals, will begin her sixth and final World Cup with the Group F opener against debutants Panama in Adelaide.
Italy, quarter-finalists in 2019, will begin their Group G campaign against Argentina, who have never won a World Cup match in their three tournament appearances so far.
Persons:
Martina Voss, Tecklenburg, Voss, Reynald Pedros, Pedros, Marta, Brazil's, Hritika Sharma, Toby Davis
Organizations:
AUCKLAND, Germany, Brazil, England, Africa, of Nations, debutants Panama, G, Argentina, Thomson
Locations:
Morocco, Germany, Melbourne, Adelaide . Italy, Hyderabad