As we count-down to the commencement of the FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup global showpiece in Australia and New Zealand, football enthusiast across the globe can’t wait to enjoy what the tournament have in stock for them.
Barring injury there are lot of top players to watch out for at the World Cup, and as a football enthusiast which players are you looking forward to see dazzled at the mundial?
Here are the top 10 players to watch at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Sam Kerr – (Australia)
The co-host of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia will be expected to lite up the tournament as a host and one of the favorite team that could win the mundial.
In achieving such a great feat they will need the services of their in-form Chelsea forward Sam Kerr, who is undoubtedly the star player to watch out for at the World Cup.
The 28-year-old has been the Matildas finest player since making her debut for the team, and she has since won quite a lot of personal award while wearing the national team jersey.
Sophia Smith – (United States Of America)
All of the American fans will be on the look out for Sophia Smith considering the brilliant form the Portland Thorns forward is, even though proven veterans like Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe are still in the team.
The 22-year-old is a ruthless player in-front of goal which every defenders who care to listen must be weary of once the tournament commences in 84-days to this time.
With the USA still the current champions of the World Cup, Smith been one of the stars to watch will be instrumental for Vlatko Andonovski side going into the tournament.
Estefania Banini – (Argentina)
After almost three to four years of absence in the Argentina national team, Banini made her return to the Albiceleste team this year after she had left the team in 2019 following her demand for change from the federation.
The Atletico Madrid forward might not be a household name in women’s football, but going into this year world cup Banini’s expertise and experience will be needed.
If Argentina are to achieve anything at this year world cup, Estefania Banini will be key for the Albiceleste as one of the star player to watch at the global event.
Valentina Gernoia – (Italy)
This year’s World Cup is going to be Italy’s first tournament since 1999, with the Azzurri’s set to establish themselves as one of the finest women’s team in world football.
While Italy isn’t known for parading quality players on the field when it comes to women’s football compared to other countries with good depth and amazing star players, they can at least bank on the experience and skill-set of Gernoia.
The Juventus superstar is a complete central-midfielder who can score from free-kicks and also influence a game with her talent, and with that she one of the players to look out for.
Jessie Fleming – (Canada)
From Canada perspective, there are four players in particular to watch out for at the world cup, particularly after their strong performances in recent years.
The four players are Sheridan, Vanessa Gilles and Julia Grosso, but the superstar to watch out for is no other than Chelsea’s and back-to-back winner of the Canadian Player of the Year Award in 2021 and 2022 Jessie Fleming.
While the Olympic Champions will be hoping to add to their trophy cabinet this year with the world cup at sight, to achieve that all their superstars particularly Fleming must bring their a-game to fore.
Lena Oberdorf – (Germany)
If there’s any player who is on a upward trajectory in the past two to three years, Lena Oberdorf is that player who was named Young Player of Tournament at the Euro 2022.
Going into this year world cup Germany are no doubt one of the favorite team to win the tournament, but to achieve the feat Lena Oberdorf and other top players in the team must be proficient with their performance.
The fact that the Wolfsburg midfielder has won the Women’s U-17 Championship and the Young Player of the Tournament at the Euro, give credence to the kind of quality she will add to the German squad at the tournament.
Alessia Russo – (England)
No striker wants to be a super-sub when playing for the national team or club, however in Russo’s case she embraced her role with aplomb and she delivered whenever she’s called upon by Sarina Wiegman.
The Manchester United star came off the bench in all of the Three Lionesses’ Euro 2022 group games, and eventually ended as a joint second top-scorer at the tournament.
Heading into this year global showpiece England are no doubt the odd favorite to win the trophy after their success at the 2022 Women’s Euros, a victory that will once again boost the confidence of Russo.
Rashidat Ajibade – (Nigeria)
Atletico Madrid feminine forward Ajibade is one of the players that will have fans on the edge of their seats at the world cup, having dazzled the fans with her talent in the Spain Liga F this season.
Ajibade has been one of Atletico Madrid’s best players this season in terms of goal-scoring and helping the team in important games.
Though she couldn’t help the Super Falcons win the AWCON in Morocco, but with the global showpiece upon us fans should expect brilliant performance from Rashy against great teams like Australia, Canada and Republic Of Ireland.
Rafaelle Souza – (Brazil)
The Samba ladies are obviously one of best team to watch at this year global showpiece, particularly with the kind of stars they’ll be parading as a favorite nation.
While they’ve absolutely dominated the Copa America Feminine, winning eight of the nine editions including the last four says a lot about what to expect from the Brazilian.
Having said that, the question is which player in the Brazilian team will have fans on the edge of their seats once the tournament commences? Her name is Rafaelle Souza.
Fenna Kalma – (Netherlands)
With Vivianne Miedema out of the global showpiece coming up in 84 days due to anterior cruciate ligament, the Orange feminine will now put their hope in Kalma.
The 23-year-old Twente star rose to prominence in 2022, scoring 45 goals across the year as a whole to solidify her place in the Netherlands’ team ahead of the world cup.
Since the Orange fans won’t see Vivianne Miedema in action this year, the only player to watch out for or turn to is Fenna Kalma.
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
