The Women’s World Cup is the headline event in the summer of 2023.
After the Lionesses enjoyed a glorious Euros campaign last year, the number of fans live betting on the action in Australia and New Zealand is set to be higher than ever before.
Sarina Wiegman leads England into the competition as second favourites behind the USA. Spain, Germany and France are also among the favourites to lift the trophy.
Before we start looking at match predictions for the World Cup, let’s run through 10 WSL stars set to shine down under…
Guro Reiten – Norway
Chelsea winger Guro Reiten is part of the Norway squad for the World Cup this summer.
Reiten has 80 caps to her name and is coming into this tournament off the back of an excellent season for the Blues, including another WSL title.
Featuring in an attack-oriented Norway side, Reiten swaps her winger duties from club level to play as one of two playmaking eights for the Norwegians.
Look out for Reiten to create chances aplenty after leading the WSL in assists this season.
Sam Kerr – Australia
The only player to have won the Golden Boot in three different leagues, Sam Kerr is simply one of the greatest goal scorers of all-time.
A four-time WSL winner with Chelsea and winner of numerous individual accolades in the 2022-23 season, Kerr has 63 international goals to her name and scored 29 for the Blues this season.
Australia are bound to be a popular dark horse pick in their home tournament. If they are to go on a deep run, Kerr - one of the highest paid female footballers - is bound to play a major role.
Yui Hasegawa – Japan
Excellent in her first season with Manchester City after transferring from West Ham, Yui Hasegawa will be running the show in Japan’s midfield.
With a degree of uncertainty over Japan’s formation, it remains to be seen if Hasegawa will be deployed as a number six or an eight.
An admirer of Andres Iniesta, Hasegawa might only stand at 5’2, but her technical prowess and clever use of her body enables to her to retain the ball even when overmatched physically.
Frida Maanum – Norway
Like Reiten, Arsenal’s Frida Maanum plays in Norway’s three-man midfield.
Maanum was the WSL Young Player of the Year in 2021-22, and the 23-year-old had an exceptional 2022-23 campaign for the Gunners, finding the net 16 times.
The turnaround for Maanum has been remarkable. Breaking through in midfield and defence, she has even been used as the furthest player forward at times by Arsenal.
At first it was experimental, then injuries to key teammates made Maanum into a goal scorer out of necessity.
Look for a slightly more defensive role with Norway, but don’t be surprised if she chips in with a goal or two this summer.
Stina Blackstenius – Sweden
It wasn’t the best season for Stina Blackstenius at Arsenal. Goal droughts punctuated a campaign of ups and downs.
While yet to score for Sweden in 2023, Blackstenius should enjoy freedom at this World Cup, and will be able to drift around the pitch to create space for her teammates.
With two goals in France four years ago and a strike in the 5-0 drubbing of Portugal last summer, Blackstenius has plenty of tournament pedigree.
Katie McCabe – Republic of Ireland
Named her country’s youngest ever captain in 2015, Katie McCabe leads the Republic of Ireland to their first World Cup this summer.
McCabe has been with Arsenal for over half a decade, winning several trophies, and being named the club’s Player of the Year in 2020-21 and 2022-23.
Effective on either flank in an advanced or wing-back role, keep an eye out for McCabe during the World Cup as Ireland look to defy the odds and make their way out of a group with Australia, Nigeria and Canada.
Nathalie Björn – Sweden
Ranked third in the world, Sweden are one of the betting favourites heading into this summer’s World Cup.
Their back line looks relatively settled with Everton defender Nathalie Björn set to play on the right-side of defence alongside Linda Sembrant, Jonna Andersson and former Chelsea centre-back Magdalena Eriksson.
Calm in defence and talented enough to impact the game on the ball, Björn will influence the game at both ends of the pitch this summer.
Jessie Fleming – Canada
Since debuting at 15 years old, Jessie Fleming has amassed over a century of caps for Canada. Still only 25, Fleming has appeared in two World Cups and claimed two Olympic medals.
The Chelsea midfielder will operate alongside Julia Grosso at the base of the Canadian midfield, with the two developing chemistry over the last few years.
Fleming will be shielding the back line at times, but will occasionally have the license to break forward and support the attack.
Twice named Canadian Player of the Year and playing for one of the best women's teams in the world at club level, Fleming will be integral to any success her country have down under.
Millie Bright – England
With Leah Williamson out, all eyes are on Millie Bright this summer as she returns from an injury lay-off.
Bright continues to rehab individually while the team are practicing, but signs are positive that she will be fit for the opening match, with Sarina Wiegman naming the Chelsea defender as her captain for the World Cup.
Armed with tournament experience like so many of the England squad, Bright has also enjoyed immense success at club level, winning seven WSL titles with Chelsea.
Victoria Pelova – Netherlands
Victoria Pelova looks to be in pole position to start on the right flank for the Netherlands.
Having been involved in multiple major tournaments, including all of the Netherlands’ games at Euro 2022, Pelova could be a difference-maker in Australia and New Zealand.
Already showing glimpses of what she can do since joining Arsenal earlier this year, Pelova is definitely a player to watch for WSL fans.
