With less than 24 hours to the commencement of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, NRTC has selected 10 individuals who are expected to light up the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
In no particular order, we take you through these players who are worth keeping an eye on.
1. Alexia Putellas (Spain)
After being ruled out of Euro 2022 with a knee ligament injury, Spain knew they would be missing their most important player.
The importance of her presence for Spain cannot be overemphasized. She is that great.
She has won the Ballon d’Or for the last two seasons. The 29-year-old also claimed seven league titles and two Champions Leagues during her time at Barcelona. Putellas is widely believed to be the world’s best female footballer.
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2. Pernille Harder (Denmark)
The 30-year-old missed most of the previous campaign due to a hamstring injury. However, she played a fantastic role for Chelsea, coming on in the 2023 Women’s FA Cup final against Manchester United.
In 2020, Harder left German side Wolfsburg and joined the West London side. That move made her the world’s most expensive female footballer.
The attacking midfielder has been named Uefa Player of the Year twice. She also reached the Champions League final with both Wolfsburg and Chelsea. She was runner-up for the Ballon d’Or in 2018 and recently signed for Bayern Munich.
Harder will be instrumental for the Danes if they are to make a significant impact at this World Cup. This is her maiden appearance at the World Cup as this is Denmark’s first appearance at the tournament since 2007.
3. Ada Hegerberg (Norway)
With Ada Hegerberg spearheading a much talented Norwegian squad, everything looks to be going in the right direction for them.
She has scored 43 goals in 76 matches for Norway. This is despite the fact she refused to represent her country for five years.
The 28-year-old is obviously among the best players in recent years. She won the inaugural women’s Ballon d’Or in 2018.
While playing for Lyon, she has won eight French league titles and six Women’s Champions Leagues so far.
4. Sam Kerr (Australia)
Big-game player, Sam Kerr is well loved and cherished by a large number of women football fans.
The 29-year-old striker is Australia’s captain and main attacking threat. She is the Matildas’ all-time record scorer and iconically carried the Australian flag at King Charles’ coronation.
Chelsea Women manager Emma Hayes has described the adorable footballer as “the best in the business.”
5. Alex Morgan (United States)
As the United States aim to clinch a third consecutive world title, Alex Morgan will be at the centre of things.
The 34-year-old has scored nine goals in 18 World Cup games. She is a phenomenal figure that has been more than important to every team she has played in.
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US women’s soccer journalist Caitlin Murray said two years ago that Morgan “is the rare example of a soccer player who has transcended her own sport to hold a place in mainstream culture.”
Having netted 121 goals in 207 international games, this will be Morgan’s fourth World Cup.
6. Alexandra Popp (Germany)
This name definitely rings a bell. Popp is one of the best female footballers in the world. She has found the back of the net 62 times in 128 international appearances.
Germany’s captain at the 2023 World Cup scored in every game she played at Euro 2022. She helped Wolfsburg reach the 2023 Champions League final where they lost 3-2 to Barcelona.
Former England defender Anita Asante said Popp is “an intimidating figure” on the pitch.
7. Marta (Brazil)
What more can be said of the indefatigable Brazilian. Although she has battled injury problems for the past 12 months, Marta has made it to her sixth World Cup.
“Marta is the queen, she is an icon. Just being around her is contagious,” said Brazil manager Pia Sundhage after announcing her squad.
She is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 115 goals in 175 games. Possessing quick feet, dribbling abilities and amazing skills, Martha will be one to look out for at the World Cup. Her experience would undoubtedly be much needed in the Brazilian side.
8. Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria)
Nigeria is one of the few countries that has been to every edition of the Women’s World Cup since 1991. However, the Super Falcons have reached the quarter-finals only once.
During the last World Cup in 2019, Nigeria reached the first knock out round before being eliminated.
Asisat Oshoala will be very key if Nigeria are to make their presence strong enough at the world stage.
“When you have Oshoala, you have a chance against any team,” said Nigeria’s coach Randy Waldrum.
Oshoala is a goal machine. She scores goals for fun. The 28-year-old has 83 goals on 89 league games for Barcelona.
She is the first African female player to feature in the Women’s Champions League final. The former Arsenal and Liverpool Ladies forward had won the Champions League, the women’s FA Cup and titles in China.
Oshoala has won the Women Africa Cup of Nations thrice and was awarded the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2015.
9. Keira Walsh (England)
At the Euro 2022 final, Walsh was named player of the match after her outstanding performance in the match.
Now with Barcelona, she claimed the Champions League with the Spanish side.
Having accrued 59 international caps for England, the playmaker will wreak havoc against opposition defences at the Women’s World Cup.
10. Wendie Renard (France)
Renard is a leader par excellence. At 32, the defender said in March she would miss the World Cup to preserve her mental health. However, she returned after coach Corinne Diacre was sacked.
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She has won 15 Division 1 Feminine titles and eight Champions Leagues for Lyon. Renard has 145 international caps and is an inspirational figure among her colleagues.
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