The 2015 Women's World Cup kicks off on June 6, with 24 teams vying to reach the final in Vancouver on July 5. The USA, Sweden, Canada and Germany are among the favorites to hoist the trophy, but who are the most exciting and important players to watch?
From global stars to up-and-coming phenoms, from fearsome scorers to ball-stopping goalkeepers, let's take a look 20 players worth keeping an eye on as the tournament unfolds.
[seealso url = "http://mashable.com/2015/06/01/women-world-cup-preview/"]
Read up -- you'll be hearing many of these names quite a bit over the next several weeks.
1. Marta, Brazil
The biggest name in women's soccer, Brazil's star forward was named the globe's top player five straight times from 2006 to 2010. That was her last year taking home the hardware but she still ranks among the game's top talents, finishing in the top-three vote-getters every year since.
For an idea of just what makes her so special, check out the elegant footwork in the video above.
2. Vivianne Miedema, Netherlands
Prodigy. Wunderkind. Phenom. Take your pick of laudatory phrases; it fits the Dutch teenager Miedema, who is just 18 years old but already a star for both her national team and her club squad, Bayern Munich.
An illustration of her goal-scoring brilliance: At just 17, Miedema made her senior-team national debut as a 75th-minute sub, yet still scored a hat-trick in just 15 minutes of game time. Tac
3. Christine Sinclair, Canada
Sinclair broke her nose in the opening game of the 2011 Women's World Cup, throwing an immediate wrench in Canada's title hopes four years ago. Hoping for a better start in 2015, the attacking player has scored more international goals than all but two women in history. She'll be key if Canada is to make good on its realistic hopes of winning the trophy on home soil this summer.
4. Sophie Schmidt, Canada
[img src="" caption="" credit="" alt=""]
Schmidt is another key piece for the hosts. At 26 years old, she's already appearing in her third Women's World Cup. The midfielder will be asked to shoulder a heavy load both offensively and defensively.
Shmidt looks to be in fine form ahead of the tournament, however, as evidenced above: That's her knocking in a beautiful one-touch goal this past weekend against England in Canada's final pre-World Cup tuneup.
5. Asisat Oshoala, Nigeria
Just 20 years old, Oshoala is already among the top players in the world and may well be the Next Big Thing in women's soccer. The Liverpool striker was recently named the BBC's Women Footballer of the Year following a worldwide fan vote.
Lumped into a "Group of Death" in Canada with three top-10 teams, however, Nigeria will need Oshoala to be at her best if it's to have any hope of advancing to the knockout stage.
6. Aya Miyama, Japan
Can the defending champs repeat? Much of that depends on Miyama, a 30-year-old midfielder, free-kick specialist and world player of the year finalist this past January. Things will be different this time around compared to 2011 for the Nadeshiko, who won the tournament as an underdog four years ago but now travel to Canada with a target on their backs.
7. Nahomi Kawasumi, Japan
Another Japanese finalist for world player of the year, Kawasumi was also a key piece of Japan's winning squad in 2011, scoring twice in the semifinals against Sweden. She's an attacking player who can play both forward and midfield, and more heroics this year would only increase her legend in Japanese soccer history.
8. Verónica Boquete, Spain
Boquete plays with flair and skill, making her among the more exciting players to watch in women's soccer. She was a world player of the year finalist in January, and is sure to make some highlights this summer in Canada.
This year marks Spain's first Women's World Cup appearance, but Boquete is among the reasons it has high hopes of giving Brazil a run for first place in Group E.
9. Caitlin Foord, Australia
Foord was given the Best Young Player award at the 2011 Women's World Cup at the tender age of just 16 -- so you know she's got talent. Now back for more at age 20, she'll be a crucial piece for a Matildas team fighting tooth and nail to survive brutal Group D. She typically plays on the right wing and is capable of impacting a game in several different ways.
10. Kyah Simon, Australia
A photo posted by Kyah Simon (@kyahsimon) on May 31, 2015 at 11:09pm PDT
The Matildas' star forward is an indigenous Australian who in 2011 became the first to score a goal for her country in a World Cup. She was also the most active player in the attacking area at that year's tournament, according to ESPN, averaging more than 4 shots per 90 minutes. Expect more of the same this time around.
11. Christen Press, USA
Press may not have the mainstream name recognition of USA teammates Alex Morgan or Sydney Leroux, but she's every bit the player they are. Exhibit A: The above run and goal she made against France in March. Press will be a key cog for the Americans this summer as they look to win it all after a second-place finish in 2011.
12. Abby Wambach, USA
At 34 years old, Wambach is the USA's veteran leader and its most consistent competitor. She was named world player of the year in 2012, finished second in 2013 and finished third last year. Oh, and then there's this: The forward has scored more international goals (182) than anyone else in the history of women's soccer.
13. Eniola Aluko, England
Ready to go!!! Dare to dream @England #Canada #WorldCup #LetsGo pic.twitter.com/o7dzt2A3LF— Eniola Aluko (@EniAlu) May 25, 2015
The Nigerian-born striker is also a lawyer who plays club ball for the Chelsea women's team. She makes her third World Cup appearance this summer, and she'll be among the players England most counts on for goals as they look to advance out of Group F.
14. Charlyn Corral, Mexico
Also fighting to escape Group F is Mexico, and Corral will be crucial to El Tri Femenil's hopes of doing so. The 23-year-old striker played collegiately at Louisville and starred for Mexico in World Cup qualifying.
15. Lotta Schelin, Sweden
A tall, strong, fast striker who's played for the Swedish national team since 2004, Schelin is one of the best players for one of the best teams in the field this year. She can score goals based on speed and skill or use her frame to bully smaller defenders in the penalty area. She was a finalist for 2014 world player of the year and will look to continue her fine form in Canada.
16. Nilla Fischer, Sweden
Back in Wolfsburg and the first stop was IKEA! :) pic.twitter.com/Y62cmMgldM— Nilla Fischer (@fischer_nilla) April 10, 2015
While Schelin is Sweden's most fearsome scorer, Fischer -- another world player of the year finalist -- is its defensive backbone. The center-back plays a key role for Sweden. It will be a treat to see her go up against the USA's many offensive threats when the two teams meet on June 12. How well she can -- or can't -- hold off the American attack will go a long way toward determining the outcome of that game.
17. Camille Abily, France
Many experts expect France to become a tournament darling this summer, thanks to a wealth of creative talent and an attractive style of play. Much of that starts with Abily, a 30-year-old attacking midfielder who's played for France's senior team since 2001.
Serious contenders to lift the trophy for the first time ever, how well Les Bleues fare will depend in no small part on how effective Abily can be pulling strings from mid-field.
18. Louisa Nécib, France
Abily's playmaking partner is Nécib, a world player of the year finalist dubbed by some French media as "the female Zidane." She's considered among the game's best midfielders, but many casual Women's World Cup fans likely don't even know her name. Nécib has a chance to change that in a major way this summer on her sport's biggest stage.
19. Nadine Angerer, Germany
The 2013 world player of the year captains Germany, which is ranked number-one in the world by FIFA entering the tournament. Appearing in her fifth World Cup, the 36-year-old goalkeeper would surely like to go out on top. She made her senior-team debut for Germany way back in 1996 and says she'll retire from the sport at the end of this year.
20. Lena Goessling, Germany
Goessling is one of many talented players on a stacked German squad, but the midfielder comes with an extra bit of intrigue: Playing without usual midfield partner Nadine Kessler -- the reigning world player of the year, but forced to sit out this tournament with a knee injury -- she'll be asked to shoulder a heavier load than normal.