Whatever you want to call it, the United States ended up in by far the most difficult group at the women's World Cup in China.

The top-ranked Americans wound up in Group B today with Sweden, North Korea and Nigeria — by far the most powerful of the four groups. The same four teams were grouped together in the 2003 World Cup.

"We landed in the most difficult group again," United States coach Greg Ryan said. "We had the most difficult group in 2003, and now the most difficult in 2007. It's hard to believe we drew exactly the same teams."

The United States is FIFA's No. 1-ranked team, while Sweden is No. 4 and North Korea is No. 5.

The other three groups look weak by comparison. In Group A, defending champion Germany got Japan, England and Argentina.

"We're happy, since Group B looks so much more difficult," Germany striker Conny Pohlers said.

Group C has third-ranked Norway with Ghana, Australia and Canada. In Group D, host China was paired with New Zealand, Brazil and Denmark.

Germany will open the World Cup against Argentina on Sept. 10 in Shanghai. The tournament ends there on Sept. 30. The United States opens against North Korea on Sept. 11 in the western city of Chengdu.

The United States has won the World Cup twice _ the inaugural tournament in 1991 and again in '99. But pulling this off will be a feat.

As one of the four seeded teams, the United States was drawn by lot into Group B. However, before the draw North Korea was placed arbitrarily _ and without explanation _ into Group B by FIFA.

That positioning guarantees that China cannot face North Korea before the semifinals. That's a break for China, since North Korea is Asia's top team followed by Japan and China. China will also avoid any possible quarterfinal matches the United States, Germany or Sweden.

"I just didn't understand it. I was confused," Ryan said about North Korea's placing.

Jim Brown, FIFA's competition director, failed to explain before a crowd of 800 — and a TV audience of millions — why North Korea was placed where it was.

FIFA secretary general Urs Linsi was asked four times about the move _ from Chinese and foreign reporters _ but gave few answers in a news conference.

"The decision was taken by the (FIFA) organizing committee," Linsi said.

Pressed, he simply replied: "I think if you make a draw, you don't ask the teams. That's the way it is."

Asked if he intended to lodge a protest with FIFA, Ryan shook his head.

"At this point it doesn't matter," he said. "What is done is done. We just have to start preparing for our first game."

United States striker Kristine Lilly, on hand for the draw, tried to be positive.

"Hey, I'm not going to get caught in the politics," Lilly said.

"I'm happy," she added. "Now I know who we're going to play. We've played these teams before. I don't think there's an easy group. I don't think there's a hard group. There's just soccer."

Four years ago, the Americans beat Sweden 3-1, North Korea 3-0 and Nigeria 5-0, but lost to Germany in the semifinals.

Asked if he thought political problems between the United States and North Korea might reach the soccer field, Ryan replied: "It's all going to be football and there won't be anything else."

This women's World Cup promises to be the most competitive. In addition to the four seeded teams, Sweden and Brazil are seen as serious contenders. A large handful of other teams are also in the mix: England, Japan, North Korea, Denmark, Australia and Nigeria.

For the first time in the women's World Cup, prize money will go to all teams. A total of US$6.4 million (A4.7 million) will be awarded.

The winner will get US$1 million (A730,000) with US$800,000 (A590,000) for second, US$650,000 (A480,000) for third and US$550,000 (A400,000) for fourth. Quarterfinalists will earn US$350,000 (A260,000), with US$250,000 (A184,000) for all other teams.