Poised to be one of the most important events in Australian sporting history, the FIFA Women’s World Cup will be hosted in Australia and New Zealand stadiums for the very first time. A moment that will define the game in both countries for generations to come.

Players from 32 counties comprising the best female footballers will compete for the top bill starting July 20, where our Matildas will face the Republic of Ireland, with matches against Nigeria and Canada following during the pool matches .

Many heavy-hitters will be making an appearance; riding off of the laurels and into the WWC, Matilda’s captain Sam Kerr will be the striker to watch, Spain’s Alexia Putellas will be the decisive anchoring midfielder, and American Alex Morgan returns for her fourth World Cup. But amongst the crowd, the young and up-and-coming players are not ones to miss–as it comes with the territory of observing any sport, it is key to watch where the next generation starts.

With many dynamic and energised players on the board, here are 18 of the best players to watch this Women’s World Cup.

Sam Kerr (Australia)

Having led the Matildas to victory against France in the final World Cup warmup, Sam Kerr’s penchant for performing on the grandest of stages will surely make for an electrifying atmosphere to play in front of an adoring home crowd for the World Cup–all eyes are on the striker. The Perth native’s accommodating leadership style to assist and support, combined with her killer instinct in front of goal makes for excellent showmanship to watch, don’t miss her trademark backflip too. 

Position: Striker

Age: 29

Club: Chelsea

Ellie Carpenter (Australia)

Already having two accomplishments under her belt–making her pro debut at 15, and becoming the youngest female footballing Olympian at 16 in Rio 2016–Ellie Carpenter knows the game well. And making her return after suffering a knee injury from last year’s Champions League final, Carpenter is a sure force. 

Position: Right-back

Age: 23

Club: Olympique Lyonnais

Alexia Putellas (Spain)

Riding off the laurels after winning her second Ballon d’Or (in a row) last year, Alexia Putellas’ ability as a midfielder to decisively create viable scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates–a skilful and creative playmaker of versatility, indeed. Putellas also returns from her knee ligament injury that forced her to miss out on the eve of the UEFA Women’s Euro, making it all the more exciting to see how she performs for the World Cup.

Position: Midfielder

Age: 29

Club: Barcelona

Aitana Bonmati (Spain)

Covering for Putellas, who was sidelined with her knee injury, Aitana Bonmati in the past season has overseen Barcelona’s second Champions League win in the club’s history. Versatile as a midfielder, regarded as one of the world’s greatest, Bonmati’s intelligence for technique, ball control, distribution and vision makes her one to watch during the World Cup.

Position: Central midfield

Age: 25

Club: Barcelona

Sophia Smith (USA)

Central to USA’s chances for scoring goals at the World Cup, Sophia Smith as their striker is their best bet in doing so. Stepping up to the fore with as much confidence and tenacity to go for a goal, Smith also spearheads a generational shift from within the US women’s national team. Although goal-scoring tends to placate a particular burden, for Smith, she’s a player all the more ready to take on that role.

Position: Left wing/striker

Age: 22

Club: Portland Thorns

Alex Morgan (USA)

Nicknamed “Baby Horse” when first breaking onto the US women’s national scene, it’s a name that encapsulates Alex Morgan’s vim and running style. A stalwart player for the US, and as she prepares for her fourth Women’s World Cup, Morgan will surely be in the centre of the action if the US were to claim its third consecutive Women’s World Cup title.

Position: Forward

Age: 34

Club: San Diego Wave FC

Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway)

Described as a regular scorer and provider for her team, Caroline Graham Hansen is at once generous with the ball and ice-cold in front of a goal. Her speed and decisive change of direction are of particular note throughout her career having debuted more than a decade ago.

Position: Striker/right wing

Age: 28

Club: Barcelona

Ada Hegerberg (Norway)

Poised to be a feared striker at the WWC for her predatory instincts, elusive movement and precision, Ada Hegerberg embodies Norway’s turbo-charged optimism for the top bill since returning from her five year absence.

Position: Striker

Age: 27

Club: Olympique Lyonnais

Lena Oberdorf (Germany)

One of Germany’s rising stars described as being mature and a complete player despite her youth, Lena Oberdorf at only 21, makes for a combative midfielder who preemptively snuffs out oppositional attacks. And with her position ensuring a near-watertight German midfield, Oberdorf is the receiver of many plaudits; named FIFPRO Women’s World11 at The Best FIFA Football Awards, and taking the ‘22/’23 UWCL Young Player of the Season award.

Position: Defensive midfielder

Age: 21

Club: VfL Wolfsburg

Alexandra Popp (Germany)

Known for her aerial dominance and penchant for goalscoring, Alexandra Popp heads to the WWC off the back of an already impressive season; scooping the German domestic double and leading Wolfsburg to another Champions League final, only to have lost to Barcelona. Having captained both for club and country, Popp’s skill lies in her forceful attacks that almost see her throw herself at the ball. And leading a predominantly young German team, Popp’s experience is key to seeing how her leadership plays out.

Position: Striker

Age: 32

Club: VfL Wolfsburg

Keira Walsh (England)

With England being plagued with injured players left, right and centre, Keira Walsh has been a steadfast key player that will be showing up to the WWC. A defensive midfielder–providing a strong anchor–Walsh being at peak form and fitness is crucial to seeing how England results in the coming weeks.

Position: Defensive midfielder

Age: 26

Club: Barcelona

Debinha (Brazil)

As versatile an attacker as she is generous and opportunistic with her teammates, Debinha’s power in her unpredictability will be a feared attribute when playing the WWC. Described as having a classically Brazilian style that has its signature flair of creativity, Debinha is technicality-rooted and a natural goalscorer that should propel her teammates forward. Worth watching if Australia match up against Brazil, and the old rivalry is rekindled. 

Position: Playmaking central midfielder

Age: 31

Club: Kansas City Current

Fridolina Rolfo (Sweden)

Sighted as the Swede to watch at the WWC, seeing Fridolina Rolfo charging down the left wing would be a lesson in power, pace and panache. A key ingredient for Sweden in the coming weeks, it will pay to look out for Rolfo’s more attentive to defensive duties.

Position: Left wing

Age: 29

Club: Barcelona

Yui Hasegawa (Japan)

Described as an industrious midfielder for her fleet-footedness and excellent touch, Yui Hasegawa has become a powerhouse for Manchester City and an invaluable player for the Japanese national team. And as one of the most important players in attack, Hasegawa’s pinpoint passing and ability to turn past defenders will ensure all matches she plays to be a spectacle of the exacting manner.

Position: Central attacking midfielder

Age: 26

Club: Manchester City

Kadidiatou Diani (France)

Scoring 30 league goals for Paris Saint-Germain in the past, Kadidiatou Diani has become the unexpected centre-forward to watch–adding a new dimension to her attacking abilities. Poised to be France’s main goal-scoring threat, this is a new era to watch for Diani, after announcing she will leave after six seasons for PSG.

Position: Right wing

Age: 28

Club: Paris Saint-Germain

Ashley Lawrence (Canada)

An accommodating playing at either full-back, centre back, and occasionally dipping into midfield, Ashley Lawrence is a reliable asset for Canada. It’s expected she will stay in a full-back position for the WWC, which is a testament to her reliability and strength to the role.

Position: Right full-back/centre back

Age: 28

Club: Chelsea

Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw (Jamaica) 

Sitting in a comfortable spot with Manchester City having scored 31 goals in the past season, Bunny Shaw is certainly one of the most in-form players to watch at the World Cup. Combining aerial prowess with her penchant for precise goal attacks, Shaw has a clarity of understanding of the game she plays that will be key for Jamaica. 

Position: Striker

Age: 26

Club: Manchester City

Danielle van de Donk (Netherlands)

A one-on-one confrontational midfielder, Danielle van de Donk will not hesitate against the opposition. Since returning from a long-term ankle issue that resulted in a shin tendon rupture, Van de Donk will appear at the WWC with her silky footworks, and experience that is key to showing her younger teammates how it is done.

Position: Central midfielder

Age: 31

Club: Olympique Lyonnais

Sign up to the Vogue newsletter