2023 Women’s World Cup: five to watch

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The 2023 Women's World Cup is the biggest ever edition of the tournament in more ways than one. Taking place in Australia and New Zealand between July 20 and August 20, the competition has expanded from 24 to 32 teams. With organisers targeting record ticket sales and a television audience of two billion, the stage is set for the world's best footballers to show what they are made of.

Injury has unfortunately robbed several top-class players of their chance to appear. Among them are Catarina Macario of the United States, the Netherlands' Vivianne Miedema and England's Beth Mead. Nonetheless, there are plenty of major talents ready to seize the moment, and The Coaches’ Voice has profiled five footballers with the ability to make this a World Cup to remember. We start, not unsurprisingly, with a name more than familiar to England fans...

Alessia Russo
Forward, Arsenal and England

Alessia Russo signed for Arsenal from Manchester United shortly before reporting for England duty, leaving her free to fully focus on the 2023 World Cup. The centre-forward scored 26 goals in 59 games for United, and prior to the summer averaged a goal every other game in her 22 England appearances. It's an international haul that includes four goals as a substitute at Euro 2022 – most memorably, an audacious backheel in the semi final against Sweden.

Now, at her first World Cup, Russo is ready to graduate from super-sub to first choice for the European champions. Tipped by many to lead the Lionesses’ attack, her game involves drifting or rotating into the right inside channel. There, she is able to hold the ball up, dragging opposing centre-backs out of position for runners to exploit and receive from her accurate through balls. 

Inside the box she is a goalscoring threat, often adjusting well to finish from cutbacks (above) or aerial deliveries. The 24-year-old will need to be clinical to prove herself as Sarina Wiegman's first-choice forward, with WSL Golden Boot winner Rachel Daly also in contention for a starting place.

Alexia Putellas
Midfielder, Barcelona and Spain

Two-time reigning Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas is widely regarded as the best player on the planet. Even so, she goes into the 2023 World Cup yet to truly make her mark at a major tournament, partly through bad luck. She missed Euro 2022 after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear, returning at the end of Barcelona’s season to make six appearances from the bench.

A number eight mostly operating in the left inside channel, she is versatile enough to play either side, as a central number 10, or if needed as a deeper connector. The 29-year-old is a player who breaks lines, looking to play through balls and disguised passes into forward runners.

With an effective drop of the shoulder, she can jink and twist to go past opponents, or evade pressure in busy central areas. When the Spaniard receives between the lines with her back to goal, she is adept at turning opponents who jump out to press (above). From there she will either drive at the back line, shoot from distance or slide a runner in behind. A player with excellent technical ability, a fit and firing Putellas could help Spain progress beyond the last 16 for the first time, while confirming her status as the cream of the crop.

Sam Kerr
Forward, Chelsea and Australia

Twice player of the year in the US and England, Sam Kerr is the only woman to win a Golden Boot on three different continents. Since joining Chelsea from the Chicago Red Stars in 2019, the Australian has fired the Blues to trophies galore. The hope is that, at the peak of her powers, she will inspire the Matildas to a strong showing on home turf.

A centre-forward and ruthless goalscorer, Kerr operates best on the last line, where she looks to run beyond and bends her movement to remain onside. She can burst away from opponents, and her variety of finish allows her to react when defences adapt to try to shut her out (below).

Despite standing a modest 5ft 6ins, Australia's captain also scores headers, not least thanks to the timing of her movements in the box. She can dart across the front post, drift towards the back post, or hold and wait for cutbacks. The 29-year-old combines well with wide teammates, and her change of speed helps when she receives wide, allowing her to beat players with a quick change of direction.

Lena Oberdorf
Midfielder, Wolfsburg and Germany

Lena Oberdorf has emerged as a vital player for club and country at the age of just 21. In the 12 months leading up to the World Cup, she was named Champions League Young Player of the Season and Euro 2022 Young Player of the Tournament. As a result, she goes to Australia and New Zealand brimming with confidence and focused on driving Germany towards a third title – but first since 2007.

A defensive midfielder who has also played in central defence, she is no slouch on the ball and can initiate quick counter-attacks with a long, powerful range of passing. Against a block, the 21-year-old is dangerous when connecting with wide runners, sliding through balls inside opposing wide players (below).

Out of possession, she wins plenty of duels, while her counter-pressing frequently prevents opposition counter-attacks. Her experience at centre-back means she is comfortable defending deep, tracking midfield runners and dealing with second balls.

Sophia Smith
Forward, Portland Thorns and United States

Although the United States can still call upon all-time greats Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, a new generation is making its mark. Chief among them is National Women’s Soccer League MVP Sophia Smith, who turns 23 during the World Cup. With 11 international goals in 2022, she set a record as the youngest top scorer in a calendar year for the US. Now she has global glory in her sights.

Primarily a centre-forward, Smith has also been deployed as a right winger for her national team. Rather than jinking past opponents, though, she will frequently knock and run before bursting past them into the final third. She is an impressive runner with great pace who offers a constant threat in behind.

Happy to shoot from range, Smith possesses a clean strike, often driving shots low towards the side netting. She can score from a variety of angles without having to break the opposing last line, receiving deeper and knocking the ball away from pressure to tee up a shooting opportunity (below, playing for Portland Thorns). Inside the box, she uses clever movements to work chances and is comfortable finishing with either foot.

In 2019, her teammates Morgan and Rapinoe cemented their place in World Cup history with key contributions en route to lifting the trophy. With the US targeting a unique third consecutive title, Smith has the ability to do likewise.

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Author: The Coaches' Voice