The 2023 Women's World Cup is a chance for the game’s rising stars to make headlines around the globe. No one knows exactly how things will play out in Australia and New Zealand, but it’s a safe bet that the most successful teams will blend experience with exciting young talent.
Generation Z are set to play a big role Down Under. Whether for perennial contenders like the United States, or tournament debutants such as Zambia, the energy and fearlessness of the best young players is an exciting prospect. We asked our coaching experts to analyse five with the potential to enhance their reputations at the World Cup…
Trinity Rodman
Forward, Washington Spirit and United States
In the US’s final warm-up match, Trinity Rodman scored a brace to see off Wales after coming on as a substitute for all-time great Alex Morgan. It took her tally to four goals in 18 appearances since debuting in 2022, trailing Morgan by 117 international goals. It's a huge experience gap, but the guard is beginning to change for the US – and Rodman is tipped to be at the forefront of the new generation.
The Washington Spirit forward is the present as well as the future, however. She is now the highest-paid player in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), and was crowned NWSL Rookie of the Year when Washington won the Championship in 2021. Daughter of NBA All-Star Dennis, she is a versatile attacker who has played in a variety of forward roles: as a lone central forward, in a pair and on both sides of a front three.
The 21-year-old is a strong dribbler who can twist and turn both ways (below, playing for Washington Spirit), having played on both sides of the attack. This ability undoubtedly helped as she recorded the second most dribbles in the 2023 NWSL.
Rodman disguises her touches well, chopping across opponents while dropping her shoulder. This helps her create more shooting and crossing opportunities.
She also finds clever spaces when receiving between the lines, from which she can turn and drive at opponents. From wide areas she rolls inside, timing runs to receive across a back line. World Cup opponents can expect her to pose their defence all sorts of problems.
Racheal Kundananji
Forward, Madrid CFF and Zambia
World Cup debutants Zambia are the lowest-ranked team going into the tournament, but they possess individuals with the quality to deliver against the elite. Racheal Kundananji is one of those players.
The Madrid CFF forward scored one and assisted captain Barbra Banda as the Copper Queens stunned Germany 3-2 in a pre-World Cup match. This came hot on the heels of a two-goal salvo that handed Barcelona a first Spanish league defeat in two years.
Hungry for goals, she has played across the front line for Madrid and Zambia, as well as her previous club Eibar. She makes well-timed runs, looking quickly to adjust her body and positioning to create shooting opportunities. Her shooting technique, including a powerful strike, allows her to score from range (below, playing for Eibar).
Kundananji has excellent mobility and possesses the speed to run in behind and chase direct long balls. Out of possession, she puts central defenders under pressure and will back-press into midfield. Group-stage opponents Spain should be aware of her threat, given the Zambian's impact on Spanish club football. Containing her is another matter altogether.
Athenea del Castillo
Forward, Real Madrid and Spain
Athenea del Castillo announced herself on the international stage when she was named Player of the Tournament at the 2022 Arnold Clark Cup. Impressive displays against England and Canada in that competition led to selection for Euro 2022, where she again impressed against the Lionesses. Esther Gonzalez converted her assist to give Spain a quarter-final lead on a dramatic night at Brighton, only for the Spanish to fall agonisingly short against the hosts.
At club level, Del Castillo has played wide on both sides of the front line for Real Madrid. She favours the right side of the attack, and has also featured as a right-back and wing-back. Before arriving in the Spanish capital, she underlined her attacking capabilities when top scoring for Deportivo de la Coruña as a centre-forward in the 2020/21 Liga F.
For Madrid she is a frequent crosser, preferring to drive balls low (below) or cut them back. She also has the ability to whip or loft aerial deliveries when needed, though.
In the 2021/22 and 2022/23 Liga F campaigns, she dribbled more than any other player. Typically she takes lots of smaller touches, whether moving the ball away from pressure or taking on a direct opponent. She tends to make good decisions, whether cutting inside and combining, or attacking around the outside – a quality that will only help her potential impact on the biggest stage this summer.
Lauren James
Forward, Chelsea and England
Injury put paid to Lauren James’ Euro 2022 dream, but she bounced back with a season to remember. An England debut, a domestic double with Chelsea and the Young Player of the Year at the Women’s Football Awards should give her plenty of confidence going into the 2023 World Cup.
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has played her mostly on the right, in contrast to the forward and left-sided roles she had at previous club Manchester United. This versatility has allowed England coach Sarina Wiegman to give the 21-year-old game time in all three positions prior to the World Cup.
With the composition of England's attack not set in stone, James’ ability to pick out teammates is a plus in her favour. She has the vision to connect with runners beyond (below, playing for Chelsea), breaking lines with incisive passing. Her technical ability with both feet helps create chances and penetrate with dribbles and carries.
She scores goals with both feet, often finishing accurately with controlled power, whether cutting inside or converting from central positions. Being able to do this on the biggest stage of all is the next test. With all-time England leading goalscorer Ellen White now retired, James is poised to play a key role in the European champions' evolution.
Mary Fowler
Forward, Manchester City and Australia
At just 20 years of age, Mary Fowler has packed a lot of global football experience into her burgeoning career. Part of a talented football family, she spent time living in the Netherlands when brother Caoimhin played there professionally. A first Australian cap arrived, after returning home, at the age 15. A World Cup call-up followed at 16, and a move to French club Montpellier shortly before her 17th birthday.
In 2022, Manchester City swooped for a player Sam Kerr has called the “next big thing”. High praise, and in both France and England she has impressed in a variety of positions, including central forward and number eight. A good range of passing, including delicate through balls, allows her to break the opposing midfield and last lines (below). Her combination with Kerr for Australia is a potentially lethal one.
Under pressure, she is intelligent in how she receives the ball. Sometimes this can mean keeping possession, but she will also look to progress up the pitch if possible, switching play or directing longer passes to wide teammates.
When used as a central forward, Fowler can control and link play in and around the box. She also offers a long pass option, pinning defenders, or working off the shoulder of the centre-backs.
Hopes are high that Kerr will deliver for Australia on home soil. How she works in tandem with Fowler will go a long way to deciding just how far the hosts can go.
To learn more about football tactics and gain insights from coaches at the top of the game, visit CV Academy
