The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is just days away and the best players from across the globe are travelling to Australia and New Zealand
32 teams will take part in the event and there has been a record number of tickets sold. FIFA recently revealed that ticket sales have passed the one million mark and are hopeful that more fans will fill the stands at a Women’s World Cup than ever before, with the current record held by the 2015 edition in Canada (1,353,506).
Here are some of the biggest stars who have a major impact in their nations hunt for the prize:
Ada Hegerberg (Norway)
The 28 year old is one oof the best playersin the recent years. She has won the inaugural women’s Ballon d’Or, awarded the best footballer in 2018, and has collected eight French league titles with Lyon and six Women’s Champions Leagues so far.
Alex Morgan (United States)
Alex Morgan’s ‘tea drinking’ goal celebration infuriated England fans four years ago, after heading the winner against England to send her side into the World Cup finals.
The 34 year old will represent the US again and is looking to add to her nine goals in 18 World Cup appearances. Her record is 121 goals in 207 international appearances.
Another cap to her feather is how she demanded for equal pay for women’s national team.
Alexandra Popp (Germany)
The 32 year old scored in every game she played in the EURO 2022 and also helped Wolfsburg reach the 2023 Champions League where they lost 3-2 to Barcelona.
“When you see her on the pitch, she is an intimidating figure,” ex-England defender Anita Asante said of Popp during Euro 2022.
Marta (Brazil)
Marta Vieira da Silva, known as Marta, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Orlando Pride in the National Women’s Soccer League and the Brazil national team.
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She’s Brazils all time leading scorer with 115 goal s in 175 games and has seen he compared with the male World Cup winners like Ronaldinho and Romanio.
“Marta is the queen, she is an icon. Just being around her is contagious,” said Brazil manager pia Sundhange after announcing the squad.
Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria)
Nigeria have been to every Women’s World Cup since 1991 but only once have reached the quarter-finals. If they are to truly make their mark on the global stage, then 28-year-old striker Oshoala will be key.
“When you have Oshoala, you have a chance against any team,” said Nigeria’s American coach Randy Waldrum, referring both to the striker’s goal record – 83 strikes in 89 Barcelona league matches – and trophy haul.
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Oshoala’s honours feature a Champions League title, three African championships for Nigeria, back-to-back titles from a spell in China, and a Women’s FA Cup from 2016 with Arsenal. She won the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award in 2015, while with Liverpool.
