Disputes and lawsuits bring discrimination debate to fore

The world's best player won't be at the Women's World Cup but the world's best team will be, with both sides taking a stand for equality.

The US national team, ranked No 1 globally, will try to defend its title in soccer's premier women's tournament, which kicks off on Friday in Paris. While the Americans make their way around France for the monthlong event, back at home they're all part of a lawsuit that accuses US Soccer of gender discrimination.

Meanwhile, Ada Hegerberg, the first female Ballon d'Or winner, won't be accompanying Norway's national team. She stepped away in 2017 because of what she perceives to be a general disregard for women's soccer by the country's federation. The crux of her frustration is the uneven pace of progress and strategy in the women's game.