The FIFA World Cup is a prestigious event, and every four years, football fans from around the world look forward to seeing which teams will be crowned champions. But in addition to the anticipation of watching their favorite teams compete, spectators also get to witness some of the greatest athletes in the world showcase their remarkable talent on the pitch. This year, female players have especially made headlines with their incredible performances. From veterans to rookies, here are seven female footballers you should definitely keep an eye out for at the 2023 FIFA World Cup. Not only are they amazing talents on the pitch, but these groundbreaking athletes have inspired many other young girls and women around the globe to pursue a career in football.
Megan Rapinoe
Megan Rapinoe is an American professional soccer player who represents the United States Women’s National Team. She is a World Cup champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist. Rapinoe is known for her dribbling skills and her ability to cross the ball into the box. She is also an excellent free-kick taker.
Alex Morgan
Alex Morgan is an American professional soccer player who currently plays as a forward for Orlando Pride in the National Women’s Soccer League and the United States national team. She was drafted number one overall in the 2011 National Women’s Soccer League college draft by the Western New York Flash.
Morgan made her international debut with the United States in 2010, and she has since made over 170 appearances for her country and scored 106 goals, making her the sixth-most capped player and seventh-highest goalscorer for the U.S. women’s national team. She helped lead the United States to victory at both the 2012 London Olympics and 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, being named to both tournament rosters and scoring winning goals in each final. Alongside Megan Rapinoe, Tobin Heath and Carli Lloyd, she forms a potent attacking quartet commonly referred to as “the fab four”.
In 2019, Morgan was included on Time magazine’s list of 100 most influential people.
Lucy Bronze
Lucy Bronze is one of the most exciting young talents in world football. The England right-back has already established herself as one of the best players in her position and has become a key player for club side Manchester City.
Bronze was part of the England team that reached the semi-finals of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and she played a pivotal role in their success. She is a pacey and skillful fullback who loves to get forward and support her team’s attacks. Her crossing ability is excellent, and she is also a dangerous free-kick taker.
With the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup fast approaching, Lucy Bronze will be one to watch out for. She has all the attributes to be a star of the tournament, and if England are to have any chance of success, she will need to be at her very best.
Samantha Kerr
Samantha Kerr is an Australian professional footballer who plays for the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the Australia national team. She is a forward and has been described as “one of the best strikers in the world”.
Kerr began her career with Perth Glory in the W-League in 2008. In 2013, she moved to Sky Blue FC in the NWSL. After two seasons with Sky Blue, she was traded to Chicago Red Stars ahead of the 2015 NWSL season. With Chicago, Kerr won back-to-back NWSL Shields in 2016 and 2017. She was also named the NWSL Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot winner in 2017.
Kerr has represented Australia at senior level since 2009, scoring 37 goals in 77 appearances. She was a member of Australia’s squads at both the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup and 2012 Olympic Games. Kerr also helped Australia win their maiden AFC Women’s Asian Cup title in 2010 and again in 2018.
Vivianne Miedema
Vivianne Miedema is a Dutch footballer who plays as a striker for Arsenal Women. She is the all-time leading goalscorer for the Netherlands women’s national team, having scored 60 goals in 79 appearances.
Miedema began her career with Heerenveen before moving to Bayern Munich in 2013. She spent two seasons with the German club, winning the Bundesliga title in her second year. In 2015, she returned to her home country to sign with Arsenal.
Miedema has been a prolific scorer at both the club and international levels. She helped Arsenal win the FA WSL title in 2018 and 2019, scoring the winning goal in both finals. She was also named the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2019.
At the international level, Miedema has represented the Netherlands at UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 and 2019, as well as the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019. She was part of the Dutch team that won Euro 2017, scoring three goals in five appearances. She followed that up with a strong showing at the World Cup, scoring six goals to help lead the Netherlands to a second-place finish.
Amandine Henry
Amandine Henry is a 27-year-old French footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Olympique Lyonnais of the Division 1 Féminine. She has been described as a “dominating presence in the midfield” and has been praised for her “physical strength, vision, and technical ability.”
Henry began her football career with local club ASJ Soyaux before joining Lyon in 2010. She has since won four consecutive league titles with Lyon, as well as the 2013 UEFA Women’s Champions League. Henry has also represented France at the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Olympic Games.
At the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Henry was one of France’s most important players, starting all seven games and scoring one goal. She helped lead France to the quarter-finals, where they narrowly lost to eventual champions Germany.
Henry is currently preparing for the 2016 Olympics with Lyon. The team is hoping to improve on their disappointing performance at the 2012 Olympics, where they were eliminated in the group stage. With Henry leading the way, Lyon will be looking to make a deep run in this year’s tournament.
Wendie Renard
Wendie Renard is a French footballer who plays as a centre-back for Olympique Lyonnais and the France national team. She has been described as one of the best defenders in the world.
Renard began her career with Lyon in 2006 and has since made over 300 appearances for the club. She has won nine Ligue 1 titles, six Coupe de France titles and four UEFA Women’s Champions League titles with Lyon.
Renard made her debut for the France national team in 2010. She was a member of the team that won the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and she was named to the tournament’s All-Star Squad.