The world’s best female footballers will be in play when the World Cup begins on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand.
AFP Sport has identified five players to keep an eye on:
Alexia Putellas, a 29-year-old aggressive spenish midfielder, is often regarded as the best female footballer in the world.
Despite missing the second half of the year due to a significant knee injury, she retained her title as The Best FIFA Women’s Player for 2022 in February, despite missing the previous two years due to the Women’s Ballon d’Or.
Sustrelia and Chelsea forward Sam Kerr will need to be blazing on all cylinders if the co-hosts are to go far in the World Cup.
Australia’s 29-year-old captain made her international debut at the age of 15 and has played 120 times for her country, averaging a goal every other game. She scored five goals during the 2019 World Cup.
Megan Rapinoe (United States), the most instantly recognizable player in women’s football, requires little introduction.
The attacker has made 199 appearances for the United States, scoring 63 goals and assisting on 73 others. She has twice won the World Cup. Now plays for the OL Reign in the United States.
The injury loss of several important players has harmed England’s chances of winning the World Cup for the first time, putting even more pressure on midfielder Walsh.
Barcelona signed her from Manchester City last September for a rumoured o400,000 ($508,000), a global record for a female footballer.
Walsh’s passing, game reading, and ability to win the ball back helped Sarina Wiegman’s England win the Euros on home soil in 2022.
When England overcame Germany 2-1 in extra time in the final at Wembley, he was awarded player of the match.
In 2018, she became the first woman to win the Women’s Ballon d’Or, and she is a prolific attacker for leading French club Lyon.
Her Norwegian career, on the other hand, has been sporadic. She retired from international competition in 2017, citing concerns over the Norwegian federation’s treatment of men’s and women’s teams. She returned only last year.
Injuries have also plagued the 27-year-old attacker.
When she’s on form and on fire, she’s one of the top players in the world, averaging more than a goal per game for her club.
