The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is just around the corner, and fans are eagerly waiting to see their favorite teams and players in action. The World Cup will kick off on July 10, 2023, and end on August 20, 2023, with a total of 64 matches to be played. Check here FIFA Women’s World Cup Top 10 Best Defenders Players List.
The tournament will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand and will feature 32 teams for the first time in history. The competition will be fierce, and every team will need a solid defense to stop the opponents from scoring.
FIFA Women’s World Cup Top 10 Best Defenders
However, this World Cup will be a little different from the past as they will use the video assistant referee (VAR) system for the first time in women’s football. And, this will help the referees to make more accurate and fair decisions.
The World Cup will have a prize money of $60 million, which is double the amount of the previous edition in 2019. The winner will receive $10 million, while the runner-up will receive $6 million. In this blog, we will rank the top 10 defenders in the women’s world cup. So, Let’s begin!
10. Lucy Bronze (England)
Lucy Bronze is one of the most experienced and decorated players in the world, having won multiple titles with Lyon and Barcelona. She is also a key member of the England national team, which won the Euro 2022 last year. Bronze plays as a right-back, but she can also operate as a midfielder or a winger.
She is known for her pace, strength, crossing, and shooting abilities. She has a habit of scoring important goals in big tournaments, such as the ones against Norway and Canada in the 2015 and 2019 World Cups. Bronze is at her third World Cup, and she will be eager to lead England to glory.
Nickname | None |
Profession | Footballer |
Date of Birth | 28 October 1991 |
Age | 31 |
Birthplace | Berwick-upon-Tweed, United Kingdom |
Country | United Kingdom |
Education and school | The Duchess’s Community High School, Leeds Beckett University |
Height | Have two siblings Sophie Bronze, and Jorge Bronze |
Weight | 65 kg |
Family Details | Have two siblings Sophie Bronze and Jorge Bronze |
9. Ashley Lawrence (Canada)
Ashley Lawrence is a versatile and talented defender who can play on either side of the backline or in midfield. She plays for PSG in France, where she has won the league and the cup titles. She is also a two-time Olympic medalist with Canada, having won gold in Tokyo 2020 and bronze in Rio 2016.
Lawrence is a fast, agile, and intelligent player who can defend well and contribute to the attack. She is one of the reasons why Canada does not concede many goals at the international level.
Nickname | None |
Profession | Footballer |
Date of Birth | 11 June 1995 |
Age | 28 |
Birthplace | Toronto, Canada |
Country | Canada |
Education and school | West Virginia University |
Height | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) |
Weight | 60 kg |
Family Details | Mother Tina |
8. Ellie Carpenter (Australia)
Ellie Carpenter is a young and exciting defender who plays for Lyon in France. She is also one of the stars of the Australian national team, which will be playing on home soil at the World Cup. Carpenter plays as a right-back, but she can also play as a center-back or a midfielder.
She is known for her speed, stamina, energy, and dribbling skills. She can also score goals from long-range or from set pieces. Carpenter suffered an ACL injury in 2022, but she has recovered well and is ready to shine at the World Cup.
Nickname | None |
Profession | Footballer |
Date of Birth | 28 April 2000 |
Age | 23 |
Birthplace | Cowra, New South Wales, Australia |
Country | Australia |
Education and school | Attended both Cowra and Mulyan Public Schools |
Height | 1.64 m (5 ft 5 in) |
Weight | 60 kg |
Family Details | She is currently in a relationship with Daniëlle van de Donk |
7. Kadeisha Buchanan (Canada)
Kadeisha Buchanan is a strong and reliable center-back who plays for Chelsea in England. She has won several trophies with Chelsea, including the league and the Cup double in 2023 and she is also a key player for Canada.
She has won two Olympic medals and reached the quarter-finals of the last two World Cups. Buchanan is good at reading the game, marking the opponents, winning aerial duels, and making timely tackles. She is also comfortable on the ball and can start attacks from the back.
Nickname | Keisha |
Profession | Footballer |
Date of Birth | 5 November 1995 |
Age | 27 |
Birthplace | Toronto, Canada |
Country | Canada |
Education and school | Graduated with a degree in criminology from West Virginia University |
Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
Weight | 65 kg |
Family Details | Have ten siblings |
6. Selma Bacha (France)
Selma Bacha is a young and promising defender who plays for Lyon in France. She is also a regular starter for the France national team, which is one of the favorites to win the World Cup. Bacha plays as a left-back, but she can also play as a winger or a forward.
She is known for her technical skills, creativity, vision, and flair. She can also deliver accurate crosses and free-kicks. Bacha has already won several titles with Lyon, including four Champions League trophies. She will be looking to add a World Cup medal to her collection.
Nickname | None |
Profession | Footballer |
Date of Birth | 9 November 2000 |
Age | 22 |
Birthplace | Lyon, France |
Country | France |
Education and school | Not Available |
Height | 1.61 m (5 ft 3 in) |
Weight | 58 kg |
Family Details | Not Available |
5. Millie Bright (England
Millie Bright is a dominant and consistent center-back who plays for Chelsea in England. She is also an important player for England, having helped them win the Euro 2022 last year. Bright is good at organizing the defense, making interceptions, blocking shots, and clearing the danger.
She is also strong in the air and can score goals from headers or long shots. Bright has won many trophies with Chelsea, including three league titles and two FA Cups. She will be hoping to win her first World Cup title with England.
Nickname | None |
Profession | Footballer |
Date of Birth | 21 August 1993 |
Age | 29 |
Birthplace | Chesterfield, England |
Country | England |
Education and school | Sheffield Road School and Killamarsh Junior School, followed by Eckington School. |
Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
Weight | 76 kg |
Family Details | Not Available |
4. Naomi Girma (USA)
Naomi Girma is a talented and versatile defender who plays for OL Reign in the USA. She is also one of the new faces of the USA national team, which is the defending champion and the most successful team in World Cup history. Girma can play as a center-back or a right-back, and she is good at both defending and attacking.
She is fast, skillful, composed, and confident on the ball. She can also pass well and join the attack when needed. Girma has already won the SheBelieves Cup and the Concacaf Women’s Championship with USA. She will be aiming to win her first World Cup title with USA.
Nickname | None |
Profession | Footballer |
Date of Birth | 14 June 2000 |
Age | 23 |
Birthplace | San Jose, California, United States |
Country | United States |
Education and school | Hacienda Elementary School and YMCA |
Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
Weight | 57 kg |
Family Details | Parents Girma Aweke and Seble Demissie |
3. Irene Paredes (Spain
Irene Paredes is a world-class center-back who plays for Barcelona in Spain. She is also the captain of the Spain national team, which is one of the rising powers in women’s football. Paredes is a leader on and off the pitch, and she is excellent at defending, organizing, and communicating.
She is also good at passing, dribbling, and shooting. She can score goals from headers, volleys, or free-kicks. Paredes has won many titles with Barcelona, including the treble of the League, cup, and Champions League in 2021. She will be hoping to lead Spain to their first World Cup title.
Nickname | None |
Profession | Footballer |
Date of Birth | 4 July 1991 |
Age | 32 |
Birthplace | Legazpi, Spain |
Country | Spain |
Education and school | Not Available |
Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) |
Weight | 62 kg |
Family Details | Relationship with former Spain hockey player Lucía Ybarra. |
2. Ona Batlle (Spain)
Ona Batlle is a dynamic and exciting defender who plays for Manchester United in England. She is also a regular starter for the Spain national team, which has a lot of potential and talent. Batlle plays as a right-back, but she can also play as a left-back or a winger.
She is known for her pace, dribbling, crossing, and defending abilities. She can also score goals from long-range or from set pieces. Batlle has impressed with Manchester United, helping them finish second in the league in 2022. She will be looking to impress even more at the World Cup.
Nickname | None |
Profession | Footballer |
Date of Birth | 10 June 1999 |
Age | 24 |
Birthplace | Vilassar de Mar, Spain |
Country | Spain |
Education and school | Not Available |
Height | 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) |
Weight | 54 kg |
Family Details | Not Available |
1. Wendie Renard (France)
Wendie Renard is arguably the best defender in the world, and she plays for Lyon in France. She is also the captain of the France national team, which is one of the contenders to win the World Cup. Renard plays as a center-back, but she can also play as a defensive midfielder or a striker.
Wendie is known for her height, strength, leadership, and experience. She is also good at passing, heading, tackling, and scoring. She has scored over 100 goals for Lyon, mostly from headers or penalties. Renard has won everything with Lyon, including seven Champions League trophies. The only thing missing from her trophy cabinet is a World Cup medal.
Nickname | None |
Profession | Footballer |
Date of Birth | 20 July 1990 |
Age | 33 |
Birthplace | Schœlcher, Martinique |
Country | Martinique |
Education and school | Not available |
Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) |
Weight | 70 kg |
Family Details | 4 siblings |
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