Around the Women’s World Cup Rosters: Highlighting the Stars You Need to Know
The USWNT roster drop has everyone excited about the World Cup next month. As we get closer to the biggest tournament on the planet, other countries will follow suit in releasing their rosters. As of now, there are 22 other rosters that have been released, with nine countries still deciding who will be sent to Australia/New Zealand. I won’t get to all the team’s World Cup rosters, but we’ll take a look at some contenders and sleepers, along with stars, to keep an eye on this tournament.
We start with the co-hosts, Australia:
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This is one of the better World Cup rosters you’ll see, and being co-hosts will give them an even bigger boost. Sam Kerr is their superstar but Hayley Raso, Mary Fowler, and Caitlin Foord in support make it one of the best frontlines to deal with. Ellie Carpenter’s return cannot be understated for the Matildas, plus the veteran leadership in Emily Van Egmond and Chloe Logarzo to go with a budding star in Kyra Cooney-Cross make them a tough team to beat.
Next is Canada
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The Canadians always have a deep roster with their usual suspects like Christine Sinclair, Sophie Schmidt, Desiree Scott, and Nichelle Prince. But young stars like Jessie Fleming, Julia Grosso, and Jordyn Huitema will determine how far this side goes in the tournament.
The players are also unhappy, they still haven’t gotten their pay dispute settled with the federation. With something this big impacting the team right before the World Cup, there’s no telling how this will impact their performance, but the roster is still as strong as it’s ever been.
We move to Denmark
Goalkeepers: Kathrine Larsen (Brøndby) , Maja Bay Østergaard (FC Thy-Thisted), Alberte Vingum (HB Køge), Freja Thisgaard (Fortuna Hjørring)
Defenders: Katrine Veje (Everton), Rikke Sevecke (Free Agent), Sofie Svava (Real Madrid), Sara Thrige (AC Milan), Luna Gevitz (Montpellier), Sara Holmgaard (Everton), Emma Færge (HB Køge)
Midfielders: Sanne Troelsgaard (Reading), Sofie Junge (Juventus), Frederikke Thøgersen (Inter Milan), Nicole Sørensen (Everton), Emma Snerle (West Ham United), Kathrine Khl (Arsenal), Karen Holmgaard (Everton), Josefine Hasbo (Harvard Crimson), Sofie Lundgaard (Liverpool)
Forwards: Pernille Harder (Bayern Munich), Signe Bruun (Free Agent), Amalie Vangsgaard (PSG), Olivia Holdt (FC Rosengård), Cecilie Fløe (HB Køge)
The Danes are led by one of the best strikers in the world, Pernille Harder. The game plan for opposing teams has to be to deny her the ball at all costs. Their midfield and backline have players who all play in the best leagues in Europe, but no major stars elsewhere mean they might be overlooked by some of the other teams.
Next is the European champions, England:
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Injuries to their captain Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby, and Beth Mead mean this team is missing some key pieces. However, it is still one of the strongest World Cup rosters, and they’ll have hopes of winning it all.
Could this be the breakout for Lauren James that turns her into an international star? James plus Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly, Beth England, and Rachel Daly–they’re stacked in attack and in the midfield. Their only possible weak spot is their backline which still has top veterans like Millie Bright and Lucy Bronze.
We move to the French
Goalkeepers: Mylène Chavas (Bordeaux), Solene Durand (Guingamp), Pauline Peyraud-Magnin (Juventus), Constance Picaud (Paris Saint-Germain)
Defenders: Maëlle Lakrar (Montpellier), Wendie Renard (Olympique Lyonnais), Estelle Cascarino (Manchester United), Élisa De Almeida (Paris Saint-Germain), Sakina Karchaoui (Paris Saint-Germain), Selma Bacha (Olympique Lyonnais), Aissatou Tounkara (Manchester United)
Midfielders: Sandie Toletti (Real Madrid), Grace Geyoro (Paris Saint-Germain), Amandine Henry (Angel City), Amel Majri (Olympique Lyonnais), Laurina Fazer (Paris Saint-Germain), Kenza Dali (Aston Villa), Oriane Jean-Francois (Paris Saint-Germain), Lea Le Garrec (Fleury)
Forwards: Eugenie Le Sommer (Olympique Lyonnais), Clara Matéo (Paris FC), Viviane Asseyi (West Ham), Vicki Becho (Olympique Lyonnais), Kadidiatou Diani (Paris Saint-Germain), Naomie Feller (Real Madrid)
While Lyon has been one of the best club teams in the world year after year, it hasn’t translated into success at the World Cup. Their aging trio of superstars Wendie Renard, Amandine Henry, and Eugenie Le Sommer could be on their last go-around for the World Cup. They still have some of the more dynamic young talents at this tournament, with Estelle Cascarino, Amel Majri, Selma Bacha, and Kadidiatou Diani.
The question is can they win the big game and get over the hump when it’s eluded them for so long?
Another major contender is Germany:
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The Germans are loaded and pose arguably the biggest threat to the USWNT because of their success in major competitions. They’ve won the Euros eight times and won back-to-back World Cup titles in 2003 and 2007.
A third of this roster just played in the UEFA Champions League Final for VFL Wolfsburg. They’ve got the pedigree and the talent. Alexandra Popp, Lina Magull, and Lena Oberdorf are no joke, along with the rest of their roster.
Next is the always-tough Japan team
Goalkeepers: Ayaka Yamashita (INAC Kobe Leonessa), Chika Hirao (Albirex Niigata), Momoko Tanaka (Tokyo Verdy Beleza)
Defenders: Saki Kumagai (Roma), Risa Shimizu (West Ham), Rion Ishikawa (Urawa Reds), Moeka Minami (Roma), Shiori Miyake (INAC Kobe Leonessa), Kiko Seike (Urawa Reds), Miyabi Moriya (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
Midfielders: Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City), Jun Endo (Angel City), Fuka Nagano (Liverpool), Hinata Miyazawa (MyNavi Sendai), Hikaru Naomoto (Urawa Reds), Hina Sugita (Portland Thorns), Honoka Hayashi (West Ham), Aoba Fujino (Tokyo Verdy Beleza), Hana Takahashi (Urawa Reds)
Forwards: Maika Hamano (Hammarby), Riko Ueki (Tokyo Verdy Beleza), Mina Tanaka (INAC Kobe Leonessa), Remina Chiba (JEF United)
Their strength lies in their midfield and defense. Yui Hasegawa, Jun Endo, and Hina Sugita are one of the best midfield trios at the World Cup, and Saki Kumagai is their captain and leader, anchoring the defense. Japan is always hard to beat, and they’ll have an advantage playing on a side of the world that they’re used to.
We go to Holland next, the runners-up at the last World Cup:
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Two big missing pieces are Vivianne Miedema and Danielle van de Donk, but Lieke Martens, Lineth Berrenstien, and Jill Roord will have to pick up the slack. Holland still has a solid roster, but it’s not the same team they had four years ago and a team that didn’t perform up to what we’re used to at the last Euros. This is a turning point for their federation as a whole.
Next is a team people are sleeping on, Nigeria:
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Not only is superstar Asisat Oshoala back from injury, but they have some familiar faces from the NWSL who have been playing well. Ife Onumonu has solidified her status as a key piece for Gotham. In addition, Uchenna Kanu has scored for Racing Louisville, and Michelle Alozie has been giving the Houston Dash great minutes. There’s a stronger supporting cast, this team can wreak havoc if Oshoala plays at her best.
One of the popular dark horse picks will be Norway:
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Stars to watch for on this World Cup roster include Guro Reiten, Ada Stolsmo Hegerberg, Frida Manuum, and Caroline Graham Hansen.
The enigma of this entire tournament is Spain’s roster:
Goalkeepers: Misa Rodríguez (Real Madrid), Cata Coll (Barcelona), Enith Salon (Valencia), Elene Lete (Real Sociedad)
Defenders: Ivana Andrés (Real Madrid), Olga Carmona (Real Madrid), Sheila García (Atlético de Madrid), Irene Paredes (Barcelona), Rocío Gálvez (Real Madrid), Ona Batlle (Manchester United), Laia Codina (Barcelona), Paula Tomás (Levante), Oihane Hernández (Athletic), Jana (Barcelona)
Midfielders: Claudia Zornoza (Real Madrid), Irene Guerrero (Atlético de Madrid), María Pérez (Barcelona), Alexia Putellas (Barcelona), Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona), Teresa Abelleira (Real Madrid), Maite Oroz (Real Madrid), Fiamma Benítez (Valencia)
Forwards: Jenni Hermoso (Pachuca), Esther González (Real Madrid), Alba Redondo (Levante), Athenea del Castillo (Real Madrid), Marta Cardona (Atlético de Madrid), Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona), Eva Navarro (Atlético de Madrid), Imma Gabarro (Sevilla)
Numerous players, including superstars Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati, requested to not receive call-ups for the World Cup. Both of their names are on the roster, but other stars like Mapi Leon, Sandra Panos, Claudia Pina, and Patri have been left off. Jenni Hermoso and Esther Gonzalez are still on the roster as well, making it a very strong team to contend with.
However, how will this friction with the Spanish federation impact their progress at the World Cup? This fractured group somehow beat the USWNT in a friendly this year, but the World Cup is a different story.
Lastly, we have to include Sweden, which is always strong:
Goalkeepers: Jennifer Falk (BK Hacken), Zecira Musovic (Chelsea), Tove Enblom (KIF Orebro)
Defenders: Linda Sembrant (Juventus), Magdalena Eriksson (Chelsea), Jonna Anderson (Hammarby IF), Amanda Ilestedt (PSG), Nathalie Björn (Everton), Hanna Lundkvist (Atletico Madrid), Anna Sandberg (BK Hacken)
Midfielders: Caroline Seger (Rosengard), Kosovare Asllani (AC Milan), Olivia Schough (Rosengard), Elin Rubensson (BK Hacken), Filippa Angeldahl (Manchester City), Hanna Bennison (Everton), Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (Chelsea).
Forwards: Sofia Jakobsson (San Diego Wave), Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal), Fridolina Rolfo (Barcelona), Lina Hurtig (Arsenal), Madelen Janogy (Hammarby IF), Rebecka Blomqvist (VfL Wolfsburg)
The Swedes are solid in every area, which is why they’ve been an arch-rival of the USWNT for so long. All of their forwards play at a high level and are a threat to score at any time. Kosovare Asllani and Magdalena Eriksson are two stalwarts who have been on the team for quite some time.
Keep an eye on Sweden, they’re a team that could cause problems for a lot of teams at the World Cup.
World Cup rosters: Honorable mentions
Lastly, we have the honorable mentions of our World Cup rosters deep dive. Melchie Dumornay of Haiti and Khadija “Bunny” Shaw of Jamaica are two must-watch stars who will make an impact at this World Cup. They might not have a strong enough supporting cast to advance, but these two players are capable of making magic happen for their respective nations if given the chance.
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