Women's World Cup 2023: Golden Boot contenders - ranked
For the first time ever, 32 countries will compete at the 2023 Women’s World Cup instead of 24 making the race for the Golden Boot more competitive than ever.
The biggest tournament in women's football will have more eyes on it than ever before, with United States looking to win a third edition in a row after victories in 2015 and 2019.
Megan Rapinoe was one of the stars for USWNT in France, bagging six goals en route to capturing the Golden Boot. The soon-to-be 38-year-old will have a significant role to play once more Down Under, but the goalscoring exploits may be left to Alex Morgan and emerging star Sophia Smith.
Here's 90min's rundown of the potential winners of the Women's World Cup Golden Boot in 2023.
10. Ghizlane Chebbak
Country: Morocco
Ghizlane Chebbak is undoubtedly a dark horse contender but has all the attributes to be a viable challenger for the Golden Boot.
The Women's Africa Cup of Nations held last year brought global attention to the quality of women's football in Morocco, with the hosts finishing runners-up after a narrow 2-1 defeat to South Africa in the fional.
Chebbak, the captain of the Moroccan team, emerged as a standout player during the tournament, winning the prestigious Player of the Tournament award in addition to sharing the joint top scorer award. The 32-year-old's success was no fluke, though - she has won ten Moroccan Championship titles during her career, finishing with the most goals on four occasions.
9. Khadija Shaw (Jamaica)
Country: Jamaica
Khadija "Bunny" Shaw has previously discussed her initial sense of awe when participating in her first World Cup in 2019, but this time around she's in with a chance of shining on the world's stage.
Shaw's recent performances in the Women's Super League have been remarkable - 20 goals in 22 games saw her finish as runner-up to Rachel Daly in the Golden Boot stakes - and she's become one of the most feared forwards in Europe.
Her instincts in front of goal are perhaps the most impressive facet of her game, making Jamaica a genuine threat Down Under.
8. Alexia Putellas
Country: Spain
The two-time Ballon d'Or winner has been included in Spain's preliminary squad for the 2023 World Cup, having needed an extensive period of time to suffer from a serious ACL tear.
Putellas wasn't one of the 15 players who protested against the leadership of Jorge Vilda but will undoubtedly be the one who is looked to for inspiration - a fractured Spain are still looking to knit themselves back together for the biggest tournament in the game.
Who better to shine when it really matters than the player who produces magic each and every time she steps on the field?
7. Eugenie Le Sommer
France have undergone some trials and tribulations of their own, recently sacking long-time coach Corinne Diacre in favour of hiring Herve Renard - the mastermind of the Saudi Arabia's historic win over Argentina at the 2022 Men's World Cup.
Le Sommer hadn't played an international game under Diacre for two years but may have a new lease of life under Renard - two goals on her return to the side suggests she'll get the opportunity to extend her record of being France's all-time record goalscorer.
88 and counting, you wouldn't back against Le Sommer shining on the grandest stage of them all.
6. Alex Morgan
Country: United States
Alex Morgan narrowly missed out on winning the Golden Boot at the 2019 Women's World Cup, finishing runner-up to Megan Rapinoe because she hadn't contributed as many assists (they finished level on goals).
Morgan's performances were outstanding throughout the tournament, with her match-winning goal against England in the semi-final accompanied by that tea-drinking celebration.
Instrumental in the USWNT's success at Olympic games and World Cups of years gone by, Morgan remains at the very top of the women's game.
5. Alessia Russo
Country: England
Alessia Russo is quickly establishing herself as one of the most captivating talents in women's football, with enough potential to become one of the world's best.
Russo's journey with Manchester United began in the summer of 2020, when she joined Casey Stoney's side after their debut season in the Women's Super League, and she has honed her skills superbly to become one of England's most important players.
With Ellen White retired and Beth Mead out injured, there's pressure on the shoulders of Russo to deliver for Sarina Wiegman. But her match winning contributions for England at Euro 2022, and on-field relationship with teammate Ella Toone, should provide plenty of optimism.
4. Rachel Daly
Country: England
Rachel Daly lined up for England at last summer's Euro 2022 as a left-back, but there's every chance she'll be leading the line this summer after an incredible WSL season with Aston Villa.
The 31-year-old reverted to playing up front - the position she'd long played while at Houston Dash - and scored an incredible 22 goals for Villa, scooping the Golden Boot in the process.
Whether or not Daly starts ahead of Russo is another story - they both offer very different things to England - but her quality and composure in front of goal is indisputable after her recent run of form.
3. Alexandra Popp
Country: Germany
Alexandra Popp has been renowned for her exceptional goalscoring ability for almost a decade, while she's also enjoyed great success representing Germany.
Winning Olympic gold in 2016 is the highlight so far, while her individual performances at Euro 2022 were nothing short of sensational. Popp scored in every game at every stage of the competition in the lead up to the final, before injury cruelly robbed her of the chance to win big at Wembley.
Popp's starting position is under threat from Lea Schuller, but she'll have a huge role to play for Germany Down Under.
2. Sam Kerr
Country: Australia
What is there to say about Sam Kerr that hasn't been said already? A supremely talented footballer who is one of the very best in the world, particularly when it really matters.
The stage doesn't get any bigger than captaining your country at a home World Cup, but Kerr is the kind of player to thrive under the pressure rather than buckle. A leader, relentless goalscorer and worldwide icon, there's no knowing how far the 29-year-old can push herself.
Already Australia's record goalscorer, she's guaranteed to be the star of the show if the Matildas go deep into the tournament.
1. Sophia Smith
Country: United States
One of the United States' newest and brightest young stars, Sophia Smith could be the player to take this summer's World Cup by storm.
A key contributor to the side already despite being just 22, Smith has 12 goals in 29 international appearances for USWNT and has an incredible goal record for her club, Portland Thorns.
It would be a huge surprise if the United States didn't reach the very final stages of the tournament, giving Smith a really good shot at winning the Golden Boot - particularly with the likes of Morgan, Rose Lavelle and others playing around her.
