With a bribery scandal enveloping FIFA it might seem like a bad time for soccer’s governing body to hold the Women’s World Cup in Canada - even more so given indictments last week included top officials from the North American and Caribbean region on corruption charges. But that isn’t proving to be the case. Tickets for the month-long competition that starts on Saturday are selling quickly, TV audiences around the world are expected to be large, and the sponsors say they expect good exposure for their products. Some current and former players even say the scandal, which led to Sepp Blatter’s resignation as FIFA president on Tuesday, has triggered more interest in the women’s competition rather than casting a shadow. Here are Ten players to watch at the FIFA Women’s World Cup which kicks off yesterday and weill be concluded on July 5.
MARTA (Brazil, 29 years)
While few footballers in the women’s game are household names, Marta is a celebrity in her native Brazil. Discovered playing street football against boys as a 14-year-old, her obvious talent took her from the humble city of Dois Riachos to top US teams including Los Angeles Sol and Western New York Flash. Her performances helped Brazil to silver at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics and she won the first of her five World Player of the Year awards in 2006.
HOMARE SAWA (Japan, 36)
INAC Kobe Leonessa attacking midfielder will be making a record sixth appearance in a World Cup, the most ever for any player, male or female. The veteran made her debut with the ‘Nadeshiko’ in December 1993 at only 15, and the highlight of her career was as captain when Japan won their first world title after a dramatic penalty shootout against the United States in 2011. She was awarded the FIFA World Player of the Year award as a result.
FARA WILLIAMS (England, 31)
Fara Williams is now the most capped footballer in English history, man or woman with an impressive 139 international appearances. A difficult upbringing meant that Williams was homeless for six years earlier in her career. She now volunteers for charities helping the homeless.Nowadays the midfielder is a leader for both international team and club side with back-to-back WSL League Titles with Liverpool.
VIVIANNE MIEDEMA (Netherlands, 18)
Miedema made her senior international debut aged 17 and scored a hat-trick in only her second appearance, despite only coming on as a 75th minute substitute against Portugal. Clinical on front of goal her ability to play off either foot helped her find the target 16 times during qualification for the World Cup, scoring all their goals in a 3-2 aggregate play-off win over Italy.
CHRISTINE SINCLAIR (Canada, 31)
Canada captain Sinclair is one of the most prolific scorers of all time since joining the national team in 2000, ensuring her place in history as the top scorer at the 2012 Olympics. The Portland Thorns player scored a hat-trick in a semi-final and lead her country to their first Olympic soccer podium with bronze, carrying the Canadian flag at the closing ceremony as a result. Capped 222 times with 153 goals she has been a nominee for World Player of the Year six times.
NADINE ANGERER (Germany, 36)
Angerer has won two World Cups in 2003 and 2007 with Germany and is the most decorated goalkeeper in the women’s game. Germany’s captain, she went through the entire tournament in China in 2007 without conceding a goal. Her record of 540 minutes without letting a goal into the net remains a record at a World Cup finals. The holder of 138 caps, this is Angerer’s last World Cup and she will also retire from her club Portland Thorns later this year.
ALEX MORGAN (US, 25)
The USA have failed to achieve World Cup success since 1999, but Morgan is part of an experienced squad bidding to win a third global title. The Portland Thorns forward made her first appearance for the Stars and Stripes’ full senior side in March 2010 and was the youngest member of the US team at the 2011 World Cup.In the space of five years she has become a key member of the US team, with 84 caps and 51 goals.
LAURA GEORGES (France, 30)
Defender Georges is the most experienced player in the France team with 158 caps, and will compete in her fourth World Cup. Born near Versailles to parents from the French Island of Guadeloupe she started her footballing career at the age of 12 with French club Paris Saint-Germain. She left the club in 2004 for Boston College Eagles, returning to France and Lyon in 2007 before going back to Paris Saint-Germain in 2013.
ADISAT OSHOALA (Nigeria, 20)
Oshoala is a rising star of the women’s game and at 20 years will compete in her first senior World Cup in Canada.From a Muslim family she dropped out of school to follow her footballing career, and joined Liverpool in January this year.She has been likened to former AC Milan star Clarance Seedorf for her scoring ability, pace, and stamina, and is dubbed ‘Superzee’ by her teammates.
YORELI RINCON (Colombia, 21)
Rincon, 21, was named best player of the Copa America tournament as she helped Colombia qualify for their first Women’s World Cup, along with the 2016 Olympics. The attacking midfielder scored five goals in the tournament, where Colombia finished second to Brazil. Rincon now plays professional soccer in Italy, after a stint with the New Jersey Wildcats. She has also represented her country at the 2008 FIFA Under-17 World Cup and 2010 FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
