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Ultimate Guide to 2023 World Cup from Chelsea Women’s perspective

By Caden Charpentier

Jessie Fleming #17 of Canada and Chelsea celebrates her goal during a game between Canada and USWNT at Kashima Soccer Stadium on August 2, 2021 in Kashima, Japan. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Jessie Fleming #17 of Canada and Chelsea celebrates her goal during a game between Canada and USWNT at Kashima Soccer Stadium on August 2, 2021 in Kashima, Japan. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 14: Sam Kerr of Chelsea celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during the Vitality Women’s FA Cup Final between Chelsea FC and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on May 14, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 14: Sam Kerr of Chelsea celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during the Vitality Women’s FA Cup Final between Chelsea FC and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on May 14, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) /

Forwards: Sam Kerr (Australia), Maika Hamano (Japan)

Who knows how many minutes she will receive, but Japanese international Maika Hamano is one of the most intriguing players for any CFCW fan in this competition. At the age of 19, Hamano has been sensational for Hammarby at the Swedish top-flight. She is the youngest player on Japan during this World Cup by a few months. Due to her highlight reel goals at the club level, being able to see what could be the future of this club in the frontline on the world stage is exciting. It won’t be a role in the starting lineup, but if the Japanese need a jolt of energy off the bench, Hamano is the player that can provide that.

If you had to pick a forward out of the bunch in this upcoming tournament, the Australian Sam Kerr has to be the most likely to head home with the Golden Boot. No Australian on the men’s or women’s side has more international goals than the west London striker. Kerr’s nation is considered one of the dark horses of the competition, but their group is going to make as challenging as possible to clinch as spot in the knockouts. They defeated both England and Spain in 2023, stunning the English on their home turf. CFCW’s No. 20 converted on the opening goal during that contest at Brentford’s home pitch. With the fans behind her, and the confidence from an impressive 2023, Kerr is well prepared to lead her nation against the rest of the world.

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