In less than a month, a festival of football will kick off in Australia and New Zealand. The Women’s World Cup is upon us for the summer and 32 teams, from six different continents, will battle it out for the ultimate prize. Can anyone challenge the world dominance of the US Women’s National Team?
Women’s World Cup Players to Watch
Frida Maanum- Norway
Kicking things off in group A with a side who, on paper, could cause teams a lot of issues. Four years ago, the headlines surrounding Norway were regarding the absence of star forward Ada Hegerberg amidst the disputes with the federation. Hegerberg’s return to the World Cup certainly makes her a player worth watching but the spotlight here instead falls upon Arsenal’s Frida Maanum. The Gunners were plagued with injuries left, right and centre this season and so Maanum’s attacking contributions became all the more pivotal.
Oh this is a beauty from Frida Maanum! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/tl3Is89EEF
— Sky Sports WSL (@SkySportsWSL) May 5, 2023
Julia Grosso- Canada
Canada are another team with the potential of going all the way, as the Tokyo Olympics showed. Phil Neville’s former assistant Bev Priestman led them to gold and so now they will be on the hunt for glory once again, this time at the Women’s World Cup. Chelsea’s Jessie Fleming played a major role then in the knockout stages and another who could come to the fore is Julia Grosso. She converted her penalty in the final against Sweden and as a result of the tournament, earned herself a move to Italian giants Juventus.
Barbra Banda- Zambia
Talking of the Olympic Games and despite not winning a single game, Zambia had one shining light. At just 21, Barbra Banda netted six goals in the three group games including a hat-trick against a very talented Dutch side. Banda plays her club football in China and will be in the shop window for the biggest clubs in the world again this summer at the Women’s World Cup.
Rachel Daly- England
On to another player who knows a thing or two about putting the ball in the back of the net, Rachel Daly. In her established career, Daly has played all over the pitch and when placed in attacking positions, she has regularly scored goals. Fresh off of winning the Golden Boot and being named WSL Player of the Season 2022/23, the 31-year-old from Harrogate is in line to play a key role in the Lionesses frontline. There is plenty of competition alongside the likes of Alessia Russo and Beth England but it seems fairly likely that Daly will get the chance she deserves.
"Sarina has probably got a headache in every single position on the pitch" 😆
Rachel Daly is ready to step into any role she is needed in at the World Cup 💪 pic.twitter.com/QfKoKUabO9
— Sky Sports WSL (@SkySportsWSL) June 28, 2023
Read More: Ranking the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup kits
Kristie Mewis- USA
There has been a passing of the torch from the older generation to the new one within the USWNT set-up. Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith are just two of the young players from whom a lot is expected but it is one of the older cohort being highlighted here. Despite having featured 51 times for her country to date, this will be Kristie Mewis’ first taste of Women’s World Cup action. Mewis, of Gotham FC, missed out on the 2015 and 2019 tournaments and so, at 32, she has finally gotten what her excellent play warrants.
Khadija Shaw- Jamaica
Next up is the forward who fell just short of Rachel Daly in the WSL goalscoring charts this season, Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw. This will be Jamaica’s second appearance at a Women’s World Cup after they made their debut four years ago in France. Shaw was plying her trade in the U.S. at the time and has since, of course, risen to prominence in the WSL with Manchester City. Her club may have faced struggles recently but Bunny’s contributions in front of goal remained constant.
Hanna Bennison- Sweden
There aren’t many more highly-rated youngsters in the footballing world than Swede Hanna Bennison. The potential she possesses is staggering and yet we are still awaiting an explosive season or tournament to truly show that. Sweden are another country with a solid blend of youth and experience so, whilst Stina Blackstenius, Kosovare Asllani and Fridolina Rolfo are amongst those with the weight of expectation on their shoulders, Bennison could shine on a more lowkey basis.
A banger from Hanna Bennison to get the winner for @EvertonWomen in added time! 🙌#BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/GEXVr6vm7Q
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) May 22, 2023
Sara Dabritz- Germany
Finally, to the Germans, and in particular, Lyon’s Sara Dabritz. The midfielder made the move across France from PSG last year after a few years of failing to upset Lyon’s dominance of Europe, only to then come up short in her first season with the latter too. That being said, she has won league titles with the both clubs and played major roles in these triumphs. Germany are a team of winners and they will look to continue that trend at the Women’s World Cup next month.
Featured image credit: Steffen Prößdorf, 21/9/2021.
