Women's World Cup: Who are the top 10 players to watch?

Chelsea Howard and John Skilbeck
June 6, 2019 10:37 MYT
World player of the year Ada Hegerberg has chosen to miss the party but the Women's World Cup will boast a plethora of global stars.

Hegerberg's principled protest, based on her perception of how the Norwegian federation treats women's football, means the Lyon striker will be sorely missed in France.

Lining up to dazzle, however, will be an array of players ready to become household names or enhance already lofty reputations.

Here is a look at 10 women who are ready to make a major impact for their countries.

Christine Sinclair, Canada, striker

After more than 19 years on Canada's national team, Sinclair could be entering her final World Cup. She is Canada's all-time leading scorer and sits second on the list for women's international goals scored with 181, three behind American Abby Wambach. Her impressive resume does not stop there, though, as her 282 caps is the third highest tally ever and makes her the only non-US player with more than 225.

FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 #FIFAWWC Christine Sinclair (@sincy12 @ThornsFC) PROFILE : https://t.co/IhxHkOwFdm Youth Clubs: South Burnaby Metro SC, Burnaby Girls SC, Cliff Avenue United #CANWNT #TogetherWeRise pic.twitter.com/ti0QgVM0wJ

— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) May 25, 2019
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Other notable accomplishments:

Alex Morgan, United States, striker

Morgan's unique combination of athleticism, anticipation and technical ability has elevated her to the top of the game. She has tallied 101 goals in 162 appearances for the United States, playing a major role in the team's 2015 World Cup triumph. Taking into account off-field endorsements, Morgan is reputedly the world's best-paid women's footballer.

Honored to be featured on the cover of @TIME. Excited for what’s to come on and off the pitch. Feeling inspired as we head to France. pic.twitter.com/0qt13hOl9C

— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) May 24, 2019
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Other notable accomplishments:

Marta, Brazil, forward

Marta Vieira da Silva, known as Marta, has established herself as one of the greatest women's footballers in history. She holds the record for most goals scored at Women's World Cup tournaments with a haul of 15 to date. Marta has a career total of 110 goals for Brazil, making her the country's leading scorer, and all eyes will be on the 33-year-old once again in France.

Expectations are high for Marta and Brazil ahead of the @FIFAWWC. Marta discussed Brazil's goals with @OmnisportNews.#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/zz9h1yJDrt

— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) June 5, 2019
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Other notable accomplishments:

Megan Rapinoe, United States, midfielder

The experienced Rapinoe will be another key figure if the United States are to repeat their 2015 success. The playmaker first joined the national team in 2006 and has netted 44 times in 152 games, as well as making many more assists. Off the pitch, she has been a powerful campaigner for women's football to be taken more seriously, not least by world governing body FIFA which she criticised in the lead-up to this year's finals.

The on field stuff is obviously our priority but other things are also worth highlighting, such as @mPinoe & @Ashlyn_Harris' fantastic hairstyles. #WNTDictionary https://t.co/QyteCpUC5m pic.twitter.com/AMNRY5IXE8

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) June 4, 2019
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Other notable accomplishments:

Sam Kerr, Australia, striker

Kerr has emerged as one of Australia's first marquee players and the 25-year-old is heading to her third World Cup. She made her international debut as a 15-year-old against Italy in 2009 and has totted up 77 caps and 31 goals for the Matildas. Perth-born Kerr has been the top scorer in the National Women's Soccer League, where she represents the Chicago Red Stars, in each of the last two seasons.

Our future is limitless, pic.twitter.com/FA5g7mVwJy

— Sam Kerr (@samkerr1) May 20, 2019
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Other notable accomplishments:

Nikita Parris, England, forward

England had the top scorer at the last European Championship in Jodie Taylor, but there is a sense that the time has come for Parris to take over the scoring mantle for the Lionesses. The 25-year-old Liverpudlian is the Women's Super League's record scorer and such has been her development in recent seasons that all-conquering Lyon have pounced to take her from Manchester City. She could start on the wing for England, but her goal threat will remain.

All smiles as we set off to France on our World Cup journey! #Lionesses pic.twitter.com/914xHlEHWb

— Nikita Parris (@lilkeets) June 4, 2019
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Other notable achievements:

Lucy Bronze, England, defender

Bronze was named in the 'All Star' squad after standing out for England at the 2015 World Cup, and the rapid rise of the Northumberland-raised player has continued in the years since. England boss Phil Neville believes she can play anywhere, but it is as an attacking right-back that the Lionesses have seen the best of the Lyon star. The former pizza shop worker has come a long way. She is now a Champions League winner with her French club, and if England are to thrive they will look for Bronze to set the standard.

I am so honoured to announce that @lucybronze has made the squad for the World Cup. A Right Back to a Right Back, A friend and someone who continues to shine and make me so proud! Go smash it @Lionesses #BeReady pic.twitter.com/31UBe4IhLF

— Alex Scott MBE (@AlexScott) May 8, 2019
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Other notable accomplishments:

Kim Little, Scotland, midfielder

Little has been a superstar of the women's game for many years now, and it came as a crushing blow when a cruciate knee ligament injury ruled her out of Euro 2017. But the 28-year-old is raring to go this time, and with Scotland boasting quality all over the pitch then it could be a tournament where the Arsenal Women playmaker has a platform to show a worldwide audience exactly what she can achieve. Earlier in her career, Little landed the MVP and Golden Boot awards when running the show for the Seattle Reign in the NWSL.

Kim Little Lizzie Arnot Kim Little #SWNT #OurGirlsOurGame pic.twitter.com/5LQypdtcs6

— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) April 9, 2019
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Other notable accomplishments:

Amandine Henry, France, midfielder

Captaining the home team will be Henry, who won the silver ball at the 2015 World Cup, being pipped to the top prize by Carli Lloyd. She will anchor the French defence, a role she performs for European club champions Lyon, and will aim to emulate Hugo Lloris, who lifted the World Cup with Les Bleus last year.

.@amandinehenry6, @MGriedge, @WRenard, @ELS_9_FRANCE and @BouhaddiSarah share their thoughts on Les Bleues' Women's World Cup preparations!#FIFAWWC #FiersdetreBleues #DareToShine pic.twitter.com/E27mfs6dHg

— French Team (@FrenchTeam) May 22, 2019
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Other notable achievements:

Vivianne Miedema, Netherlands, striker

Arsenal pulled off a coup in May 2017 when persuading Miedema to join them from Bayern Munich, and months later the Dutch striker was playing a vital role as the Netherlands won Euro 2017 on home soil. Still just 22 years old, Miedema has been a goalscoring phenomenon at club and international level, striking 58 times in 75 appearances for the Netherlands. She helped to knock England out of the Euros two years ago, and should make the Dutch a threat in France too.

Your #PFA Players of the Year 2019 @VirgilvDijk and @VivianneMiedema @OnsOranje @oranjevrouwen #PFAawards #POTY pic.twitter.com/kHVuw5KD7g

— PFA | Professional Footballers' Association (@PFA) April 28, 2019
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Other notable achievements:

#United States Women #football #Brazil Women #Marta Vieira Da Silva #England Women #Netherlands Women #Vivianne Miedema #Alexandra Morgan #Samantha Kerr #Amandine Henry #Canada Women #Australia Women #France Women #Scotland Women #Nikita Parris #FIFA Women's World Cup #Christine Sinclair #Kim Little #Lucia Bronze
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