The Women's World Cup is almost here! The tournament is a time to showcase the best players in the world and the up-and-comers.
The 2023 edition, which starts July 20 in Australia and New Zealand, will be no different. But what is different is the growth in women's football we've seen over the past four years and beyond — instead of all the best players in the world hailing from a few top teams, the sport is more competitive than it's ever been, and that's apparent in the 2023 edition of ESPN FC's World Cup Rank.
A panel of ESPN experts — including our writers who will be at the tournament delivering daily coverage (Caitlin Murray, Jeff Carlisle, Sophie Lawson, Tom Hamilton, Sam Marsden, Julien Laurens, Marissa Lordanic and Mark Ogden) — selected the top 25 players at the tournament. — Meet the USWNT: What you need to know about all 23 players — Group by group predictions, picks — Women's World Cup: Schedule | Rosters | News These players come from all over the world, and they represent not just the best players at the World Cup, but the players who make for appointment viewing.
Although someone like U.S. winger Megan Rapinoe is a player the panel considered based on her talent and ability to impact games, she is expected to play a substitute role during this World Cup and thus was left outside of the top 25 for that reason.