Top 10 players to watch out for at FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

The tournament kicks off on Sunday, July 20

The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is due to begin on July 20, with co-hosts New Zealand set to play Norway in the opening match. It will be the first FIFA Women's World Cup to have more than one host nation, and also the first senior World Cup to be held across multiple confederations, as Australia is in the Asian Confederation, while New Zealand is in the Oceanian Confederation. 

There are some household names looking for one last legacy-defining tournament, but there's also an emerging next-generation taking things to another level.  In addition, this tournament will be the first to feature the expanded format of 32 teams from the previous 24, replicating the same format used for the men's World Cup from 1998 to 2022. As excitement builds over what promises to be a summer of top international football, we take a look at the players you should keep an eye on.

Here are the top 10 players to watch out for at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023:

10. Asisat Oshoala, Nigeria

The Super Falcons have reached every single World Cup but haven't advanced beyond the last-16 since 1999. Oshoala who scored at both the 2015 and 2019 events is key to Nigeria's hopes as one of the game's most feared strikers.

The 28-year-old Barcelona forward became the first ever African player to win the Women’s Champions League in 2021. She is also a five-time African player of the year and the first African to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or Féminin. The 28-year-old was Liga F's top scorer in 2021-22 with 20 goals and she again hit that mark for Barcelona in 2022-23.  

9. Lucy Bronze, England

The Barcelona right-back is no stranger to success. During her illustrious career, the 31-year-old has won Euro 2022 with England and notched up four Champions League wins with two different teams. She has also topped the domestic leagues in England with Liverpool and Manchester City in France with Lyon, and in Spain with FC Barcelona.

8. Yui Hasegawa, Japan

The Manchester City star is as adept at going forward as she is at her defensive duties, making her an important asset in a talented Nadeshiko side. At 26 years old, Hasegawa already boasts an impressive CV, having made 65 appearances for her country and netted 14 goals. She has also tasted success with Japan, winning both the AFC Women’s Asian Cup and Asian Games in 2018.

7. Lena Oberdorf, Germany

Only 21 years of age, Oberdorf has already collected 37 caps and was named Young Player of the Tournament at Euro 2022. The versatile midfielder then went on to lead Wolfsburg to the 2023 UWCL Final.

The tough-tackling Oberdorf can also play in central defence or as a full-back, making her an incredibly useful resource for a talented German team. She won best young player at Euro 2022 and was included in the tournament’s best XI by the UEFA coaching staff.

6. Ada Hegerberg, Norway

The former Ballon d'Or winner and Lyon striker is back for Norway after sitting out of the 2019 World Cup due to a dispute with her federation regarding concerns that the women's team in Norway were not given the same opportunities as the men. Hegerberg, who is the leading female goalscorer in UEFA history, has had a tough road since then. The 27-year-old tore her ACL in January 2020 and then fractured her tibia. Hegerberg has won an astonishing six Champions League trophies and eight Division 1 Féminine titles in France.

5. Alexia Putellas, Spain

The only reason Putellas isn't No. 1 on this list is that the back-to-back Ballon d'Or winner just recently returned from an ACL injury that cost her a place at Euro 2022 and almost the entire 2022-23 club season with Barcelona. But she returned to action with Barça for the final month of the campaign and is set to represent La Roja at the World Cup. Putellas is a fan favourite in Barcelona, where her club broke two attendance records at Europe's biggest stadium Camp Nou. 

4. Khadija Shaw, Jamaica

The Manchester City forward heads to the World Cup on the back of a historic 2022-23 campaign for her club, scoring 31 goals in 30 games. Shaw, affectionately called “bunny” by fans – a nickname given to her by her brother – is Jamaica’s all-time leading goal scorer in both men’s and women’s football, with 56 international goals to her name. A huge achievement made all the more impressive by the fact she is only 26 years old.

3. Alex Morgan, United States

This one goes without saying. At age 34, Morgan is in top form. The superstar mom won the NWSL's Golden Boot award, scoring 15 goals for the San Diego Wave, which was the most goals she has ever scored in a single NWSL season. 

Alex Morgan has notched up more than 200 caps for her country and scored 121 goals in a glittering international career that has seen her win two World Cups and an Olympic gold medal. Morgan may be entering the twilight years of her football career, but she shows no signs of letting up after scoring the winner in the final of the 2022 CONCACAF Women’s Championship. She was also named player of the tournament.

2. Marta, Brazil

A veteran of the game at 37 years old, Marta is set to play in her sixth World Cup. The six-time winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year award will travel to the World Cup, already boasting the record for the most goals in World Cup tournaments men’s or women’s with 17. She was a doubt for the World Cup following a season-ending ACL injury in 2022 while playing for the Orlando Pirates but has since been named in the squad and is now expected to play.

1. Sam Kerr, Australia

Samantha Kerr, apart from making her debut for the Australian national team at the age of 15, being their all-time leading goalscorer, and being their captain since 2019, is one of Australia’s most decorated football players ever. Kerr is only 29 but this'll be her fourth World Cup and second as Australia's captain. She scored five goals at the last tournament, including four in a single match against Jamaica.  

With club side Chelsea, Kerr won the WSL Golden Boot in both 2020-21 and 2021-22. Kerr boasts a prolific international goal-scoring record with more than 60 goals. She finished top-scorer at the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in India, bagging seven goals in only four matches.