From the USA to Thailand, there are a wider range of teams at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup than ever before.
Here we look at the star player from each side and why they are so important to their team if they want to advance deep into the tournament.
There are some players who everyone has heard of, but we start off with a woman who has scored 181 goals for her country and could make history this summer.
Canada – Christine Sinclair
If Christine Sinclair scores four goals at this World Cup she will become the all-time top international scorer for men or women, surpassing Abby Wambach who sits on 184.
It is a winnable group if they can get something from the Netherlands game. However, if they win their group they will likely face England or Japan and if they finish runners-up it will probably be Sweden waiting for them in the last 16.
A difficult passage however well they start, even with the ridiculous goal machine that is Sinclair.
Norway – Caroline Graham Hansen
It is devastating that Ballon D’Or winner Ada Hegerberg will not be playing for Norway this summer because of her protest against the way the NFF treat women’s football.
Instead they will have to turn to Caroline Graham Hansen who is an experienced head at the age of just 24.
She was playing for the then European Champions Wolfsburg from the age of 19 and now, off the back of a move to Barcelona, Hansen has the potential to spearhead a strong Norwegian side.
Nigeria – Asisat Oshoala
Nigeria are going to struggle in their group because they are up against the hosts in France and a Norway side with the quality to hurt even the best teams in the competition on their day.
If Nigeria are going to make any inroads into the tournament they will need Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala to show the form which saw her score eight goals in 11 games for the Catalan club last season.
South Korea – Ji So-yun
You have to feel for South Korea because they really have little chance in this group of France, Norway and Nigeria, especially after being taken apart by the hosts in the opening game.
Chelsea’s Ji So-yun brings something for defences to worry about as Korea’s all-time leading scorer with 54. But ultimately their chances look very, very slim.
Spain – Marta Torrejon
Marta Torrejon is a seasoned pro who has played for Barcelona for over six years now.
She was a part of the Spain side four years ago who went home in shame after just one point from their three group games. She will be determined to exercise those demons in the coming weeks, especially with China and South Africa in their group.
However, with Germany also in Group B it will likely mean Spain’s progression to the last 16 will see them face the reigning world champions in the USA. A daunting proposition where Torrejon would really need to come to the fore.
Germany – Giulia Gwinn
Giulia Gwinn is still a teenager, yet she has already made her mark on this tournament by scoring the winner in Germany’s unconvincing 1-0 win over China.
It is clear Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s side are going to have to rely at least partly on their younger players to help them try and secure a third World Cup.
Gwinn should be a regular in the German side after her performance in the opening game and could prove vital despite the China game being her first competitive appearance for her country.
