Football’s biggest stars travel to the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Alex Morgan is aiming for her third title in a row with the United States and England’s Lucy Bronze is trying to complete the double after emerging as European champions last year.

Ada Hegerberg will carry the hopes of Norway and Alexia Putellas returns after the injury which prevented him from playing the Euros.

Here are the 10 numbers to watch in Oceania:

ALEX MORGAN (USA)

En route to her fourth World Cup, Morgan boasts two titles and an Olympic gold medal. She also enjoys the status of one of the most famous players in women’s football history. This World Cup, perhaps the last of his career, is presented to him to restore his image, if he manages to win an unprecedented third World Cup in a row in the United States. No men’s or women’s team has won the tournament three times in a row. At 34, Morgan is still going strong. Last year, she surpassed 200 caps for the national team and was the NWSL’s top scorer in 2022 with 15 goals for the San Diego Wave.

CHRISTINE SINCLAIR (CANADA)

No other footballer, male or female, has scored more goals for his country than Sinclair – 190. Canadian coach Bev Priestman praised Sinclair for his “incredible humility”, but there is nothing modest about a amazing career that went on forever. . At 40, he is participating in his sixth World Cup and is determined to go further. She resisted the temptation to retire after Canada won Olympic gold in Tokyo in 2021. She adapted her game, playing further after a brilliant run as a centre-forward. A three-time NWSL champion with the Portland Thorns — most recently in 2022 — Sinclair has been named Canada’s Most Valuable Player 14 times. The only thing missing is the world champion medal.

SAM KERR (AUSTRALIA)

The first Australian to score a hat-trick in a World Cup, whether men’s or women’s, Kerr will be in contention for the Golden Boot of this tournament. She scored five in the 2019 edition and was the Asian Cup’s top scorer in 2022, with seven goals. She is also the national team’s top scorer with 63. She missed winning domestic titles with England’s Chelsea – four in a row, as well as three FA Cups and two League Cups. To be the captain of a team that seeks to devote itself in front of its public would be the highlight.

WENDIE RENARD (FRANCE)

Part of the Lyon giants, Renard has 16 French league titles and eight Champions League titles. Launch 10 Coupes de France and Renard is arguably the greatest French footballer of all time. It was feared he could miss this World Cup after announcing in February that he was leaving the national team, assuring that “he could not continue to support the current system”. Coach Corinne Deacon was sacked in February and Hervé Renard, the new manager, called up Renard, once again becoming the mainstay of the defence.

ADA HEGERBERG (NORWAY)

Total goalscorer.

The best player of the moment. The Lyon striker holds the record for goals in the Champions League, scoring 59 goals. She averaged more than a goal per game for her club, winning eight French league titles and six Champions League titles. The first woman to win the Ballon d’Or, she was absent from the national team for five years – she returned in 2022 – after criticizing the structures of women’s football in Norway.

MARTA (BRAZIL)

There are concerns about the physical fullness of the six-time FIFA Women’s Player of the Year winner as she enters her sixth World Cup. Coach Pia Sundhage does not exclude that he is a substitute in Oceania. The Orlando Pride player underwent surgery last year to repair an anterior cruciate ligament and was out of the national team for 11 months. It would be his last chance to finally conquer the world title. As Brazil’s all-time goalscorer, with 117 goals, Marta is key to Brazil’s chances.

DEBINHA (BRAZIL)

You have to be special to wear Brazil’s number 9 and Debinha has more than deserved the honour. The two-time Copa América women’s champion also represented her country at the 2019 World Cup and two Olympics. Top scorer, the striker exudes mobility and creativity, and is the player who brings imbalance to Pia Sundhage’s team. At the club level, she won two NWSL championships with the North Carolina Courage and won the league’s Most Valuable Player award in 2019. She currently plays for Kansas City Current.

ALEXIA PUTELLAS (SPAIN)

The two-time Ballon d’Or winner missed last year’s Euros after tearing her ACL days before the tournament. Although he returned to action – winning the Champions League with Barcelona in June – it remains to be seen how important he will be in the World Cup. He hasn’t played for 10 months due to injury and has barely played six games since reappearing with his club. In this sense, it is already a feat that goes to the World Cup. The midfielder has won two Women’s Champions League titles in the last three years with Barca and seven Spanish League crowns.

ALEXANDRA POPP (GERMANY)

After an untimely injury at the Euro, Pope wants to redeem himself at the World Cup. The German striker became the first player to score in five consecutive European Championship appearances last year and netted a total of six goals to lead her country to the final. But he missed the game against England at Wembley after picking up the injury during the warm-up. He had to watch the game from the bench as England won 2-1 after extra time. Popp was also beaten in the last Champions League final, with his Wolfsburg losing 3-2 to Barcelona after leading 2-0. His record includes three Champions League titles, seven in the German League and an Olympic gold medal at Rio 2016.

LUCY BRONZE (ENGLAND)

Holder of numerous club titles, the English defender finally lifted a major trophy with the team at the Euros last year. And if the Lions intend to add the World Cup crown, bronze will be crucial. The right-back has won seven titles in three different countries with Liverpool, Manchester City, Lyon and Barcelona. He is heading to the World Cup after spending time in Spain and the Champions League with Barça, the fourth time he has lifted Europe’s highest trophy at club level in women’s football. In the decade since his debut with the national team, he has made 103 appearances. Bronze said the feeling of winning is addictive and it has driven him throughout his career.