The 2023 Women’s World Cup will be biggest yet – not only because of the number teams that are competing, but because the depth in talent is like never seen before.
There will be world class players all the pitch in Australia and New Zealand and defence is no different.
From rock solid centre-backs, to aerial threats, to those who double as deep-lying playmakers and marauding full-backs, the quality is set to be top drawer – even without sad absentees like Leah Williamson, Mapi Leon and Becky Sauerbrunn for various reasons.
Country: England
Club: Barcelona
Age: 31
Position: Right-back
At her third World Cup, Lucy Bronze remains as important as ever for England. It was on this stage in 2015 that she properly announced herself as an elite player and took 2019 by storm just as much.
Bronze was an integral part of England’s Euro 2022 winning side last and helped Barcelona secure the Champions League this past season. Her game is adapting as she gets older, but the competitive spirit still burns.
Country: Canada
Club: Chelsea
Age: 28
Position: Left-back
Chelsea saw signing Ashley Lawrence following her departure from Paris Saint-Germain as a way to improve their squad in pursuit of elusive Champions League glory, which tells you everything you need to know.
The versatile star had spent her entire professional career with PSG and was long crucial to the club’s success. Canada don’t concede many goals at international level and she is one fifth of the reason why.
Country: Australia
Club: Lyon
Age: 23
Position: Right-back
Ellie Carpenter suffered an ACL injury in the first half of the 2022 Champions League, but she is now back and her performances will directly influence whether Australia can go all the way on home soil.
Only weeks after that injury, Lyon saw fit to hand her a new four-year contract. Given that she has also been playing top flight football since 2015 when she debuted in Australia’s W-League, it’s mad she is only 23.
Country: Canada
Club: Chelsea
Age: 27
Position: Centre-back
It took a little time to find her feet with Chelsea after spending so many years with Lyon, but Kadeisha Buchanan was back to her best by the time the Blues claimed a WSL and FA Cup double in May.
For Canada, she has never been anything other than a rock and is the single most important foundation that their often ironclad defence is built on. As it was during the Olympic knockouts in 2021, defence is their biggest ally.
Country: France
Club: Lyon
Age: 22
Position: Left-back
The whole of France is holding its breath that the ankle injury that forced Selma Bacha to be stretchered out of their warm-up friendly against Australia isn’t a serious one.
The Lyon star is already among the best full-backs in the world at the age of just 22. As well as being a top defender, she has the ability to influence games as an attacker, racking up nine D1 assists for Lyon in 2022/23.
Country: England
Club: Chelsea
Age: 29
Position: Centre-back
Without injured captain Leah Williamson, Millie Bright is even more important to England’s chances. The Chelsea defender will inherit the armband and is vastly experienced at club and international level.
Bright got her first minutes since April in England’s behind closed doors friendly against Canada, much to the relief of fans. She is known as a physical and uncompromising centre-back, but is equally capable of displaying a range of passing and bringing the ball forward.
Country: United States
Club: San Diego Wave
Age: 23
Position: Centre-back
Much like England with Bright, the United States are suddenly relying a lot more on emerging star Naomi Girma at the heart of their defence since losing captain Becky Sauerbrunn to injury in April.
Only recently 23, Girma is still a relative unknown at this level – she wasn’t a starter at last summer’s CONCACAF W Championship – but her rise with San Diego Wave and the national team in 18 months has been remarkable.
Country: Spain
Club: Barcelona
Age: 32
Position: Centre-back
The ugliness that has surrounded the Spain squad for much of the past year has not been fully resolved, but Irene Paredes will still lead one of the most talented groups of players at the World Cup.
The veteran is as tough a marker as they come and hard to match as an aerial threat in either box. It’s unfortunate that she will be without usual Barcelona partner Mapi Leon, but her experience is going to be crucial.
Country: Spain
Club: Barcelona
Age: 24
Already arguably the best full-back in world football, Ona Batlle is playing at her first global tournament this summer having returned to the Spanish squad after being part of the group that refused to be called up last autumn.
Batlle, returning to Barcelona from Manchester United for next season, has the defensive ability to mark even the best wingers out of games. But she is also like an extra attacker and racked up nine WSL assists this past season.
Country: France
Club: Lyon
Age: 32
Position: Centre-back
This was nearly the World Cup that didn’t have Wendie Renard. In taking a stand against former manager Corinne Diacre, she refused to be called up – thankfully, the French Football Federation listened.
As a 16-time champion of France and an eight-time Champions League winner, international silverware is the only thing missing. Watch out for 6ft2in Renard as a goal threat at corners and penalties too.
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