The Women’s World Cup starts today with Australia and New Zealand co-hosting for the first time in the history of the competition. The tournament will get underway with New Zealand taking on Norway at 8am on Thursday 20th July 2023, with the Lionesses’ first game coming on Saturday the 22nd when they face Haiti who have a FIFA world ranking of #53. With 32 teams split into eight groups and 736 players, there’s plenty of talent to be watching. Here are the four players that you need to look out for this summer:

Sam Kerr 

WSL fans will know what a magician she is and she is just as central to the Matilda’s success as she is to Chelsea’s. Kerr will captain her country at a home World Cup, leading the line as striker and looking to make it past the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time. She is in the form of her life coming into the tournament off the back of a double-winning season with Chelsea, and her possession of the Australian record for international goals makes her a player you won’t be able to take your eyes off as she tears down opposition and terrifies defensive lines with her skill and finishing ability.

Alex Morgan

Looking for their third successive title in this competition, the USA is home to one of the biggest stars in women’s football: Alex Morgan. Involved in the USA squads that won world titles in 2015 and 2019, the striker will be looking to add another trophy to the collection this summer as she captains the USWNT in the Women’s World Cup alongside midfielder, Lindsey Horan. In the 2019 Women’s World Cup, Morgan scored six goals, earning her the Silver Boot which she will be determined to make gold this year.

Christine Sinclair 

The Canadian skipper, Christine Sinclair, plays a pivotal role in her team and is one of the most-capped active international players in the game. Sinclair is the second player ever to score at five World Cups and she is about to attend her sixth edition of the competition, looking to cause more trouble for the opposition’s keepers. Despite being 40 years of age, Sinclair is as healthy as ever and is still ‘hungry and motivated’ to lead her country in the competition.

Mary Earps 

I may be slightly biased as a Lionesses’ supporter, but the England squad is bursting with players to look out for at this year’s Women’s World Cup. However, goalkeeper, Mary Earps, finally received the credit she deserves following the Lionesses’ success at the Euros last year, and she is eager to make the headlines again this summer. Earps was awarded the Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper award in Paris this year, and will be occupying the role of England’s vice captain in Australia and New Zealand where she be looking to improve on her tally of four clean sheets with only two goals conceded in the entirety of the Euros tournament last summer. Her first appearance this summer is likely to be against Haiti in the Lionesses’ opening match of the tournament.

Aitana Bonmatí

Some would call her the ‘midfield magician’. From ball control to technique, to an insane ability to play passes and set up her teammates, Bonmatí has it all and is certainly someone you’d want in your five-a-side team. Her low centre of gravity makes it almost impossible for opponents to dispossess her whilst her versatility allows her to play in a number of positions: centrally, midfield or even as a winger, making her crucial to this Spanish side. She’s an inspiration for girls wanting to play football on and off the pitch and is sure to shine at the Women’s World Cup this summer. 

It is such an exciting time to be a female football fan with so many phenomenal talents going to compete in Australia and New Zealand. Let’s show the world that women’s football deserves the same recognition and support that the men’s game receives, and get behind our Lionesses, cheering them on to win more silverware for our nation.