SHANGHAI, Sept. 8 -- Defending champion Germany and the United States will be the favorites when the women's soccer World Cup kicks off on Monday in Shanghai.

It's a homecoming of sorts for the game as the first women's World Cup was held in China in 1991, with the United States winning.

The Americans, ranked No. 1 in the FIFA rankings, are favored to win their third World Cup - they also won in '99 - despite being drawn in a rugged Group B with North Korea, Sweden and Nigeria.

No. 2-ranked Germany opens the tournament on Monday against Argentina in Shanghai.

The first game for the United States in the 16-country tournament is a politically charged game against North Korea on Tuesday in Chengdu.

"FIFA is particularly happy to be back in China," said Worawi Makudi, an executive committee member of soccer's world governing body.

"The competition is, in effect, returning to roots," Makudi told a news conference yesterday in Shanghai.

The final is also in Shanghai on September 30. The 16 teams are divided into four groups.

In addition to Germany and the United States, many other teams look like threats including Sweden, North Korea, China, England, Norway and Brazil. Norway won in '95.

China should get a boost from "strong fan support," said Lily Xue, executive general secretary of the organizing committee.

The tournament will also be a milestone for US captain Kristine Lilly, who will be playing in her fifth World Cup. She's the only woman to do so. Now a forward, Lilly also won Olympic golds in 1996 and 2004 besides her two World Cup titles.

Lilly, 36, is the world's most capped player, having played more than 300 times for the United States. In the men's World Cup only two players have appeared in five tournaments - Mexico's Antonio Carbajal from 1950 to 1966 and Germany's Lothar Matthaus from 1982 to 1998.

Germany will also be relying on a veteran, forward Birgit Prinz. She has played nearly 170 times for Germany and has scored more than 100 goals.

Norwegian goalkeeper Bente Nordby will also be taking part in her fifth World Cup, although she was only on the roster in 1991.

The US-North Korea game is important since the runner-up in Group B will play the winner of Group A, which is expected to be Germany. England and Japan are also in Group A and should contend.

Group C will also be competitive, with Norway together with Canada, Australia and Ghana.

Canada is coached by Norwegian Even Pellerud, but Pellerud will miss Wednesday's opening game against Norway in Hangzhou after being ejected from Canada's last preliminary game against the US in October 2006 for excessive arguing.

Host China is in Group D with Brazil, Denmark and New Zealand. The Kiwis are returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1991.

The key game in Group D may be the opening one between Denmark and China on Wednesday.