Four long years after dominating Japan to win their third World Cup crown the United States Womens National Team will finally begin their title defense on Tuesday. The United States faces Thailand to open the tournament, beginning play in a group that also features Chile and the Americans longtime nemesis, Sweden.

The United States is once again entering the World Cup as the worlds top-ranked team and the odds-on favorite to win it all, but to do so, the USWNT will have to weave its way through the deepest and most talented field in womens soccer history.

Manager Jill Ellis roster features a number of players who helped lead the U.S. to the title four years ago, including striker Alex Morgan, Becky Sauerbrunn and 2015 hero Carli Lloyd, who scored a hat trick against Japan in the final four years ago. But it also includes a litany of new names who have emerged as potential stars and will play vital roles in the American teams effort to defend the title.

Heres a look at why the United States will or wont win their fourth World Cup title in France, and at a few key players whose performances will determine how far the Americans advance.

The Schedule

U.S.-Thailand, Tuesday, June 11 (3 p.m. ET/Fox)

U.S.-Chile, Sunday, June 16 (noon ET/Fox)

U.S.-Sweden, Thursday, June 20 (3 p.m. ET/Fox)