A Chelsea striker leading the line for Australia, a new USA sensation and England's midfield maestro... 10 players to watch out for at the Women's World Cup
- The Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand starts on July 20
- United States, England, Germany, Spain and France are among the favourites
- Mail Sport takes a look at 10 talented players to keep your eye on this month
From Ballon d'Or winners to two-time world champions, a host of star names will take to the biggest stage for the Women's World Cup this summer.
A strong United States team are looking to win the tournament for the third time in a row but the likes of England, Germany, Spain and France all have talented individuals who can lead them to glory.
With excitement building, Mail Sport has picked 10 players to watch out for in Australia and New Zealand this summer.
Alexia Putellas - Spain
The two-time Ballon d'Or winner is back after recovering from an ACL injury that kept her out of last summer's Euros.
There may be question marks over how fit the attacking midfielder is, given she did not get many minutes at the end of Barcelona's season and was an unused substitute at the Champions League final.
![Spain's Alexia Putellas is capable of producing magic moments having overcome injury](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/13/09/73166349-12294485-image-a-1_1689236223732.jpg)
Spain's Alexia Putellas is capable of producing magic moments having overcome injury
But she is the star of this Spain team and her team-mates will be looking to her to produce some magic.
This could be Putellas' best chance of winning a World Cup and after missing the Euros she will be more determined than ever to lead her team to success.
Sam Kerr - Australia
The Chelsea forward is the poster girl of this World Cup and all eyes will be on whether she can lead her country to glory in their home tournament.
Kerr is a player for the big moments and consistently delivered important goals in Chelsea's title-winning season.
![Chelsea's Sam Kerr will be shouldering the hopes of the host nation Australia at the World Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/13/09/73166371-12294485-image-a-2_1689236301668.jpg)
Chelsea's Sam Kerr will be shouldering the hopes of the host nation Australia at the World Cup
The Matildas have a disappointing record in major tournaments but have been in a fantastic run of form and will be quietly confident of their chances.
They will need their charismatic captain to be clinical in front of goal if they are to go all the way.
Sophia Smith - United States
While much of the attention may be on America's experienced stars like Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, 22-year-old Sophia Smith is perhaps the most exciting player in the world champions' squad.
This may be her first World Cup but there is every chance she could be the star of the tournament.
![Sophia Smith, 22, has the qualities to help the United States win another World Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/13/09/73166415-12294485-image-a-3_1689236377147.jpg)
Sophia Smith, 22, has the qualities to help the United States win another World Cup
Smith is quick, skilful and clinical and recently made history by becoming the youngest player to score 30 goals in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
Defenders will have the work cut-out trying to stop her.
Lena Oberdorf - Germany
At just 21 years old, the Wolfsburg midfielder has already cemented a starting place in a team considered one of the favourites for this tournament.
Oberdorf is a strong and aggressive defensive midfielder who takes no prisoners and, much like England's Georgia Stanway, is not afraid to take a yellow card if it stops an opposition breakaway.
Stopping the attacks of the teams Germany face will be her overriding responsibility but she is also capable of picking a defence-splitting pass.
![Germany's Lena Oberdorf on the ball during a warm-up friendly match against Zambia](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/13/09/73166473-12294485-image-a-8_1689236454957.jpg)
Germany's Lena Oberdorf on the ball during a warm-up friendly match against Zambia
Selma Bacha - France
A four-times Champions League winner at the age of 22, Bacha has already racked up plenty of experience in senior football.
Known for her marauding runs down the left and pin-point crosses, Bacha is one of the best defensive players at this tournament.
Primarily a left back, Bacha can also operate in midfield or further up the pitch if required. She will provide Herve Renard's side with flair, speed and precision.
![Selma Bacha (right) of France and Lyon has already won the Champions League four times](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/13/09/73166539-12294485-image-a-9_1689236560559.jpg)
Selma Bacha (right) of France and Lyon has already won the Champions League four times
Kerolin - Brazil
A player who is on the radar of Women's Super League clubs, Kerolin could provide the spark for Brazil this summer.
The forward is currently the second top scorer in the NWSL with eight goals in 13 games and will look to continue her fine form into this summer.
Brazil will be fighting it out with France to win Group F and they will need their star striker to be clinical if they are to come out on top.
![Kerolin of Brazil takes aim during a friendly match against Germany ahead of the World Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/13/09/73166559-12294485-image-a-10_1689236617562.jpg)
Kerolin of Brazil takes aim during a friendly match against Germany ahead of the World Cup
Caroline Graham Hansen - Norway
Ada Hegerberg may take most of the limelight but Graham Hansen provides the biggest spark in this Norway team.
It is remarkable that the Barcelona forward has never made the long-list for the Ballon d'Or despite her consistent performances in the best club team in the world.
She will operate mainly on the wing but can also drift inside and will shoot on sight if given the opportunity to do so.
![Caroline Graham Hansen celebrates scoring for Barcelona against Chelsea last season](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/13/09/73166603-12294485-image-a-11_1689236670036.jpg)
Caroline Graham Hansen celebrates scoring for Barcelona against Chelsea last season
Keira Walsh - England
The Barcelona midfielder is England's most important player and will be crucial if they are to be successful at this World Cup.
Walsh is the link between defence and attack. Her vision and passing ability is second to none and a season with the Catalans has taken her game to another level.
If Walsh plays well then so do England. Nobody else in the Lionesses squad can do what she does. She is irreplaceable.
![Keira Walsh (left) will be integral to England's hopes of adding world to European glory](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/13/09/73166627-12294485-image-a-12_1689236720654.jpg)
Keira Walsh (left) will be integral to England's hopes of adding world to European glory
Fridolina Rolfo - Sweden
Fresh from scoring the winning goal for Barcelona in the Champions League final, Rolfo will be looking to carry her club form on to the international stage.
The winger is arguably in the best form of her career and will provide pace and power down the left hand side for Peter Gerhardsson's team.
At 29 years old, Rolfo is one of the more experienced members of this Sweden team and will look to lead by example.
![Fridolina Rolfo celebrates finding the net for Sweden against Switzerland at the Euros in 2022](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/13/09/73166661-12294485-image-a-13_1689236767746.jpg)
Fridolina Rolfo celebrates finding the net for Sweden against Switzerland at the Euros in 2022
Pernille Harder - Denmark
After missing a large part of last season with a hamstring injury, Harder is back to full fitness and ready to take to the biggest stage.
The 30-year-old is one of the most technically gifted players at the tournament and is capable of winning a game on her own.
Harder and Denmark will come up against England in the second round of fixtures in Group D. The Lionesses will have to stop the forward from dominating the ball if they are to come out on top.
![Denmark's Pernille Harder is one of the most technically gifted players at the World Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/13/09/73166715-12294485-image-a-14_1689236814389.jpg)
Denmark's Pernille Harder is one of the most technically gifted players at the World Cup
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