1 Jill ROORD (NETHERLANDS)
In the absence of the nation’s all-time record goalscorer Vivianne Miedema – out since December after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament in a Champions League game for Arsenal – the Dutch will need their goals from elsewhere, and one of the main threats will be a midfielder. Roord averages a goal every three games at club level and one every four for the national team. She shoots well from the edge of the penalty box, arrives late to score inside the area and is extremely good in the air. Began at Twente before spending two seasons apiece at Bayern Munich and Arsenal. Joined Wolfsburg in 2021 and played an important role in their progression to the Champions League final this term. Closing in on 90 caps and still only 26.
2 Caroline Graham HANSEN (NORWAY)
Her sublime goal against Chelsea in the 2023 Champions League semi-final underlined the 28-year-old winger’s quality. It should not have been a surprise to Chelsea as she also shone against them in the 2021 final. There’s much joy in seeing her flourishing at Barcelona after being dogged by knee injuries in her early 20s at Wolfsburg. That kept her out of the 2016 Champions League final and forced a half-time substitution in the 2018 climax. From Oslo and began her career with Lyn and Stabaek with a spell in Sweden at Tyreso. Quick, skilful dribbler with top-class finishing ability.
3 Wendie RENARD (FRANCE)
Les Bleues’ dominant player for a decade, Renard led the boycott that finally brought down unpopular previous coach Corinne Diacre. That leadership has long been evident at Lyon, with whom she has won eight Champions League titles, and France where she is once again captain. Born in Martinique, she lost her father to cancer aged eight and moved alone to France at16. Although a central defender, she has around 180 career goals thanks to her penalty-taking ability and threat at set-pieces. Turns 33 the day the World Cup starts, a first French triumph would be a nice present.
4 Alexandra POPP (GERMANY)
A Champions League winner with Duisburg way back in 2009 – and subsequently a two-time winner with Wolfsburg – the 32-year-old striker simply keeps on scoring goals. Six of them carried Germany to the Euro 2022 final, only for injury to devastatingly rule her out of the Wembley showpiece against England. An Olympic champion in 2016 and captain since 2019, this will be her fourth World Cup. Often plays in central midfield or out wide for Wolfsburg and once even spent a season at left-back. She is a real threat at set-pieces thanks to being deadly in the air through her intelligent movement as much as her timing, jumping and heading ability. Off the pitch, she is a qualified zookeeper.
5 Christine SINCLAIR (CANADA)
Scored more international goals than any other player of either gender:190 in 323 appearances as the World Cup approached. At one time probably the best player in the world, she finally got a tournament winners’ medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. She was 38 years old then, but it was still too early to quit,
