The Top Players in Each Women’s World Cup Group
The star power at the World Cup will be something to behold. The field has expanded from 24 to 32 teams, allowing for even more talent from around the world to be showcased on the biggest stage. Eight groups, each littered with stars, across all the teams–I can’t even get to all of them! Some stars will be left off this list because certain teams have seven to eight players worthy of being mentioned. We simply can’t include them all. Let’s get into some of the top players to watch in each Women’s World Cup group!
Group A
New Zealand: Ali Riley (Angel City)
Ali Riley is Angel City’s captain and is putting together another solid season for the LA-based club. As co-host, she’ll anchor the Football Ferns defense as best as possible. Riley is approaching 150 appearances for New Zealand and will do everything she can to lead her team into the knockout stages.
Norway: Ada Hegerberg (Lyon), Guro Reiten (Chelsea), Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona)
This is arguably the best-attacking trio at the World Cup. Guro Reiten and Carolina Graham Hansen are two of the best on the planet, with the ball at their feet and creating chances. They are must-see TV, and if they can get Ada Hegerberg the service she needs, this team is the definitive dark horse in the competition. Hegerberg has been away from the national team due to protest and is finally back. She’ll be eager to lead Norway as far as she can in the land down under.
Switzerland: Ramona Bachmann (PSG), Ana Maria Crnogorčević (Barcelona)
The Swiss feature two major stars, Ramona Bachmann and Ana Maria Crnogorčević, who are as versatile as it gets. This team is eager to bounce back from a rough showing at the Euros last year, where some bounces of the ball didn’t go their way. Their technique to go with their ability to pass and score, makes them a dangerous team if they can emerge from Group A.
Group B
Canada: Christine Sinclair (Portland Thorns), Jessie Fleming (Chelsea)
Canada has plenty of solid veterans who can be included as stars, but Christine Sinclair and Jessie Fleming are the two most important. Sinclair can add to her record as the all-time leading goal scorer, but that’s not what Canada cares about. Can they parlay their Gold Medal win at the Olympics into World Cup gold? Jessie Fleming will have to be at the center of it. The Chelsea midfielder does not score a lot, but she makes her presence felt in many ways. Fleming can support Sophie Schmidt with defensive duties and can support Sinclair up top. If Jessie Fleming has a good tournament, then so will Canada.
Nigeria: Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona)
The title of best African player in the world goes to Asisat Oshoala, and it’s not even close. She’s been a big part of Barcelona’s dominance and netted 26 goals in 37 appearances across all competitions. The striker would have even more if she didn’t pick up an injury towards the end of the season and miss the Champions League Final. She’s starting to get back to full health, and teams in this group will have to do whatever they can to stop her because she’s a problem all on her own.
Australia: Sam Kerr (Chelsea), Ellie Carpenter (Lyon)
Like Canada, the co-hosts are deep with big names at multiple positions, but Sam Kerr and Ellie Carpenter are the biggest stars. Kerr, year after year, produces goals no matter how much pressure and expectations are placed on her. She hit the 20-goal mark again with 23 in all competitions and will be asked to carry the torch for the Matildas again. Ellie Carpenter is back from a major injury and is important for helping a defense that has been this team’s weakness, but she also has the speed to make an impact in attack.
Ireland: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage)
The Irish are making their first World Cup appearance, with some great players flying under the radar. Katie McCabe is their captain, a player who has made over 100 appearances for Arsenal and has been with the club since 2017. Playing in the FA WSL and winning trophies has prepared her for this moment. The same can be said for Denise O’Sullivan, who has won multiple NWSL titles with the North Carolina Courage and has made 101 appearances for her country. Having that much midfield experience makes them a formidable foe and a tough team for anyone to beat in this group.
Group C
Japan: Saki Kumagai (Bayern Munich), Jun Endo (Angel City), Hina Sugita (Portland Thorns)
Japan is always one of the world’s more disciplined and technically sound teams, but this is the most star power they’ve featured since they won the World Cup in 2011. Saki Kumagai will lead from their backline. Jun Endo has become a fan favorite at Angel City and is a master of creating something out of nothing. Hina Sugita has multiple highlight reel tweets showing off her skill and craftiness. If these three combine well and create chances, Japan just needs a finisher up front, and they’ll be a very tough team to beat.
Costa Rica: Rocky Rodriguez (Portland Thorns)
Rocky Rodriguez has been the symbol of hope for Costa Rican soccer since she first appeared in 2008. A loyal servant for 15 years, Rodriguez understands what it would mean for her country to get to the knockout stages for the first time. This is their third consecutive World Cup, and Rodriguez will have to be at her best to get Las Ticas past that point. If given a set-piece opportunity or long-range strike, Rocky can be the difference in the game.
Spain: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona), Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona), Jenni Hermoso (Atletico Madrid)
There have been many question marks surrounding this Spain team because of their stars protesting against the football federation. Most of their stars will still play based on their last friendly against Denmark. Jenni Hermoso has been carrying the flag for a long time and is always a serious threat to score up front. Alexia Putellas is the consensus best player in the world, and she makes this team infinitely better. When Putellas is in the lineup, Spain doesn’t lose; the last time they did was at the SheBelieves Cup three years ago against the USWNT. Aitana Bonmati is the youngest and most dynamic of the three, but you could put these three up against anyone at the World Cup.
Group D
England: Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Kiera Walsh (Barcelona), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City)
England is without a few stars due to injury, but they might have the most depth of any team at the World Cup. They have more than the four stars listed, but these four represent the old guard and the new. Lucy Bronze and Kiera Walsh are fresh off winning the Champions League with Barcelona and will be two critical leaders for a younger England side. Lauren James is a sparkplug who you can’t take your eyes off, and Chloe Kelly knows a thing or two about scoring in the clutch. Injuries be damned. This England team should still be feared.
China: Wang Shuang (Racing Louisville)
Wang Shuang has been a pleasant surprise for Racing Louisville this season and is their superstar who moved from PSG. She’s in her prime at 28 and could be the player that helps lead China back to glory at the World Cup. She’s calm and composed enough to do it, as seen by her penalty kick for Louisville and seven goals in 18 appearances for PSG.
Denmark: Pernille Harder (Bayern Munich)
Pernille Harder is one of the best strikers in the world but was injured for much of this past season for Chelsea. The time off spent healing could be critical for Denmark’s success in this group. Harder hasn’t had as much success in international competitions, but this could be her breakout, and people outside of Europe see how good she really is.
Haiti: Melchie Dumornay (Lyon)
I’ve been harping about Melchie Dumornay for the last year since she signed with Lyon. Many might look at Haiti and count them out, but Dumornay and company are not to be slept on. Their best players play in D1 Arkema and wreak havoc. Dumornay netted 11 goals and dished out five assists in 17 starts as an 18-year-old. Remember her name. She’s going to be a big-time player.
Group E
United States: Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns), Lindsey Horan (Lyon), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign)
As if anyone needed an introduction to the stars from the USWNT. I could put the entire team here, but we had to whittle it down to the most important. Alex Morgan has been doing media rounds and talking about legacy and what winning this World Cup would mean. That’s the goal for five stars, and seeing her at her best is scary for any team to face. Sophia Smith is in incredible form and should be a force to be reckoned with because of how she attacks defenses. Two players who are just as important in creating chances when teams pack it in and defend are Rose Lavelle and Lindsey Horan. They both have the technique, creativity, and skill to create something out of nothing, which the USWNT may need at some point if they want to repeat as champions.
Netherlands: Dominique Janssen (Wolfburg), Jill Roord (Wolfsburg), Danielle van de Donk (Lyon), Lieke Martens (PSG)
The Netherlands has plenty of talent, but Mark Parsons didn’t do a great job of bringing them together. They’ll be without Vivianne Miedema but still feature the quick Lieke Martens up front, with technically sound players like Danielle van de Donk and Jill Roord in support. Dominique Janssen is one of the world’s best defenders that not many people know about. The stars are there for Holland, but can they bounce back at this World Cup? Time will tell.
Portugal: Ana Borges (Sporting CP)
Ana Borges is Portugal’s superstar who played at Chelsea from 2014 to 2017. The winger/forward has made 154 appearances but has only scored 11 times, mainly because opposing teams know she’s the player to stop if they are to win. When teams have to build an entire game plan around stopping one player, you’re a great player, and it’s great that Ana Borges will be featured on the world’s biggest stage.
Group F
France: Selma Bacha (Lyon), Wendie Renard (Lyon), Kadidiatou Diani (PSG), Eugenie Le Sommer (Lyon)
France is another team that is so incredibly deep with talent but hasn’t been able to turn it into World Cup success. Yet, with the greatest centre back ever in Wendie Renard leading the way they’ll always have a chance to do so. Selma Bacha and others can make defenses uncomfortable with their pace. Kadidiatou Diani is getting better and better by the year, and Eugenie Le Sommer is as reliable as ever. France are one of the more deep and dangerous teams to watch at the World Cup.
Brazil: Marta (Orlando Pride), Debinha (Kansas City Current), Kerolin (North Carolina Courage)
These last few years have been tough for Brazil, but this roster is the best they’ve had in some time. Marta is back for a 6th World Cup and could add to her multiple records as the first to score at six world cups and the most World Cup goals with 17 currently. The young talent coming with her should also be feared. Debinha is one of the best players in the world, and Kerolin is one of the front runners in the Golden Boot race in the NWSL. These are just three of their stars to look for, but they’ve got a few more to look out for. Brazil is flying under the radar, which is rare for a country with this much soccer history and talent.
Jamaica: Khadija “Bunny” Shaw (Manchester City)
One of the world’s best-kept secrets will no longer be a secret. The former University of Tennessee star had a breakout campaign for Manchester City. Bunny Shaw finished second in the FA WSL Golden Boot race with 20 goals in 22 games. Now, she’s got the chance to make her name known on the biggest stage possible and is sure to deliver the goods. Jamaica hasn’t been happy with how the federation has prepared them for the World Cup. Hopefully, Shaw’s star power and ability help them overcome that.
Group G
Sweden: Kosovare Asllani (AC Milan), Fridolina Rolfo (Barcelona), Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal)
Sweden is always one of the toughest teams to knock out, and they’re a safe bet to make it to the Round of 16. Kosovare Asllani has been one of their better players for a long time and has helped bridge the gap with the younger generation that has come along. Fridolina Rolfo and Stina Blackstenius are elite goal-scorers and creators, giving Sweden even more in attack than they’ve had in the past. Fewer teams will be more well-rounded than Sweden, and these three will spearhead that effort.
South Africa: Thembi Kgatlana (Racing Louisville), Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City)
NWSL die-hard fans will remember this dynamic duo when they took the league by storm in 2018 for the Houston Dash. Thembi Kgatlana and Linda Motlhalo were two of the more exciting players in the league, and Kgatlana is back in America playing for Racing Louisville. These two can break open the game at any point and hold the hopes of South Africa on their shoulders. Whether they advance or not, these two are bound to make the highlight reels doing something special.
Italy: Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus)
The Italians are always strong in defense, but their stars shine in attack. Cristiana Girelli is third all-time in goals scored for Italy with 53 and has a great supporting star in Barbara Bonanasea. Both have scored a ton of goals for Juventus, and if they can carry that form into the World Cup, this scoring duo can do some serious damage in Group G.
Group H
Germany: Lina Magull (Bayern Munich), Lena Oberdorf (Wolfsburg), Alexandra Popp (Wolfsburg)
Germany should be one of the favorites, along with the United States, to win the World Cup; this trio of stars is why. Lina Magull and Alexandra Popp are relentless in attack, and if you give them an inch of space, they’ll take advantage. Plus, Lena Oberdorf is one of the best players in the world and a defensive workhorse who can also distribute from deeper positions on the pitch. This team is united, deep, and talented, led by these three stars. They’ve got to be in the running to win it all.
Colombia: Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid)
Linda Caicedo is just 18 years old and signed a deal with Real Madrid. In her first year, she scored two goals and recorded four assists in ten matches for the club, showing the potential to be a superstar. Caicedo will play an even bigger role for Colombia at this World Cup and should dazzle given the opportunity while also representing how bright the country’s prospects are.
South Korea: Ji So-yun (Suwon UDC), Park Ye-eun (Brighton & Hove Albion)
South Korea made it to the Round of 16 at the last World Cup, bringing back many of the same stars from four years ago. Ji So-yun is one of the best players in the world and did some amazing things at Chelsea regularly. She’ll be asked to carry the torch for the Koreans with Park Ye-eun in support. Ye-eun is another star on the rise and got some great experience in the FA WSL playing for Brighton. The two will have to be at their best to ensure South Korea repeats their success of making it to the knockout stages.
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