A Women’s World Cup of change, of unexpected early departures and tantalizing arrivals, has completed its upending of certainty and tradition.
No former champion remains in the tournament with two rounds to play.
And now Japan, the 2011 winner, has exited in the quarterfinals with a 2-1 defeat to Sweden on Friday in Auckland, New Zealand.
It has participated in all nine Women’s World Cups, finishing second in 2003 and third three times.
But it has never won a major tournament and longs to be a first-time champion.
Locations:
United States, Germany, Norway, Japan, Sweden, Auckland , New Zealand