With the start of the Women's World Cup hosted jointly by Australia and New Zealand, millions of eager spectators will witness exciting and thrilling matches in the coming weeks. This is the first time the Women's World Cup features 32 teams, allowing more talents to showcase their abilities on the field. While Americans may be familiar with players from the U.S. Women's National Team, such as Megan Rapinoe, she is not the only star participating in this World Cup. The investment and advancement of women's football in various countries have led to the emergence of other talented players in different teams. This has created a scenario where, apart from the U.S., the defending champions, Germany, Sweden, England, France, and Spain also have a good chance of claiming the trophy. This article looks at several prominent stars in the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand:
Sam Kerr, Australia This talented Australian forward is a familiar face for American football fans. She began her professional career playing in the National Women's Soccer League and holds the scoring record in this competition. Currently playing for Chelsea in England, Sam Kerr is one of Australia's main hopes for achieving remarkable results as one of the hosts of the World Cup. However, she will miss the first two matches due to a knee injury.
Alexia Putellas, Spain 29-year-old Alexia Putellas is the first player to win the Women's Ballon d'Or for two consecutive years. She has made a hundred national appearances for Spain and has been named the best female football player in the world by several sports publications. Alexia suffered a severe knee injury in July 2022 and began her training again last March after surgery. Although she is an important player for Spain, her injury may pose challenges for the team's coach.
Debinha, Brazil Debora Christian de Oliveira, known as Debinha, is a member of the "Kansas City Current" team and has scored 9 goals and provided 15 assists in the National Women's Soccer League. She has won the league twice with the North Carolina Courage. This 31-year-old forward has played in three Olympics and the 2019 World Cup in France and is considered a scoring machine for Brazil.
Lena Oberdorf, Germany Germany has not claimed the trophy since its consecutive victories in 2003 and 2007. However, 21-year-old Oberdorf may be the missing link in this dangerous team's lineup. She participated in the 2019 World Cup as a 17-year-old high school girl but is now regarded as an experienced player. Lena is one of the best defensive players in women's football and the UEFA Champions League and tackles more than any other player on the field.
Ji So-yun, South Korea After eight successful seasons with Chelsea in England, Ji So-yun recently returned to South Korea. With 68 goals in 210 matches for Chelsea, she played a significant role in the team's successes over the years. She has six Super League titles, four FA Cups, and two continental club championships. At 32, Ji has scored more than any male or female player on the South Korean national team.
Kyra Walsh, England England will be without several of its key players due to injuries in this World Cup, increasing the responsibility on 26-year-old Kyra Walsh. She is one of the best female midfielders in the world, playing for Barcelona. This Spanish club purchased Kyra from Chelsea for £400,000, setting a world record for women's football. She was named the best player in the Euro 2022 final when England triumphed over Germany.
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