Team USA is currently favored to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which kicks off on July 20 with games in Sydney, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand, but other teams will be bringing some fierce competition as well. Various cities across the two countries will also host games, giving fans from all around Australia and New Zealand—or those springing for a flight to the far-flung countries—a chance to see them live.
The tournament has gradually expanded over the years, starting with just 12 teams in 1991 and growing to 24 teams by 2019. This year, 32 nations will be competing, making it the largest tournament in Women’s World Cup history.
The competition will take place over the course of 30 days, with the final scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 20. The tournament will feature rising stars and seasoned veterans from all over the globe. From midfielders to forwards, below are some of the top talent that team USA will be expected to face up against.
A consistent offensive player, the 31-year-old Brazilian forward finds ways to score from all over the soccer field. She plays for the Kansas City Current, and leads the team in goals scored during the regular season. In 2021, she was named as MVP of the Challenge Cup, the annual tournament hosted by the U.S. National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
Her name, an acronym for Débora Cristiane de Oliveira, is known to soccer fans across Brazil, which she represented in three Olympic teams and at the 2019 Women’s World Cup. Debinha is considered one of the best female soccer players in Latin America. In 2022, she was in the 96% percentile of non-penalty goals scored in the NWSL.
Sam Kerr, Australia
The 29-year-old striker has made headlines for her ability to create unexpected goal opportunities and follow through. Since 2020, she has played for the English Chelsea club, where she achieved three hat-tricks. Previously a top scorer in both Australian and American leagues, Kerr has brought that dominance to her time in Chelsea.
Kerr has expressed excitement that her home country, Australia, will be hosting the Women’s World Cup along with New Zealad this year.
“It’s going to be the biggest honor in the world to represent your country at a home World Cup in front of your family and friends,” she told the Guardian in April. “We hope this team is remembered forever and we represent Australia in the best way possible and show that Australia can be a real footballing country.”
