Women to watch at the 2011 World Cup - in pictures

1) Marta, forward (Brazil) The so-called 'Pele in a Skirt' is the Lionel Messi of the women's game. Regarded in many quarters as the world's all-time best player, the 25-year-old is an amalgam of pace, creativity, lethal finishing and adhesive first touch. She's also unselfish in possession and forms a formidable double act with gifted co-striker Cristiane Photograph: FotoArena/CON/LatinContent/Getty Images

2) Birgit Prinz, striker (Germany) Three-times Fifa world player of the year, Prinz is the WWC's all-time leading scorer with 14 goals. Her first World Cup game in 1995, when she was just 16, and this will be her international swansong. Her partnership with highly talented fellow Germany striker Inka Grings will take some stopping Photograph: Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images

3) Homare Sawa, midfielder (Japan) Japan's star player and key, dynamic, goalscoring midfielder for the past 15 years is looking forward to her fifth World Cup after embarking on her international career at the age of 15. Capped more than 160 times. When Sawa plays well, Japan tend to raise their game accordingly Photograph: Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

4) Kelly Smith, striker (England) Became Britain's first professional female footballer when she signed for US side New Jersey in 1999. Has overcome injuries, alcoholism and depression to become one of the best players in the world, scoring 43 goals in 104 England games. At 32 and now playing for Boston Breakers, this will probably be her final World Cup Photograph: Mike Hewitt/The FA via Getty Images

5) Hope Solo, goalkeeper (US) Widely regarded as the tournament's outstanding keeper Solo has recovered after spending seven months on the sidelines recovering from achilles trouble. Famed for once going 1,054 minutes wihtout conceding a goal she is integral to US dreams of glory Photograph: Amy Sancetta/AP

6) Christine Sinclair, striker (Canada) Canada's most celebrated player is acknowledged as one of the game's most accomplished finishers. A star of the US Women's Professional League with Western New York Flash she is prolific, opportunistic, powerful and aerially commanding Photograph: Eugene Hoshiko/AP

7) Lotta Schelin, striker (Sweden) The Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Swedish women's football - and the pair's games have definite similarities - has plundered 22 goals in 56 games for a country going into the tournament ranked fifth in the world. Tall, strong and blessed with superb technique she ruffles the best defenders Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Archive/Press Association Ima

8) Faye White, defender (England) At 33, the 6ft Arsenal Ladies centre half is a full time professional awarded the MBE for her services to football. Has overcome a serious knee injury to lead England in Germany and her return to fitness has coincided with an upsurge in optimism as to the chances of Hope Powell's team Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

9) Yorely Rincon, midfielder (Colombia) At just 17 Rincon comes with so much stardust attached that she is already being hyped as the world game's 'new Marta'. Standing just a fraction over 5ft, this exceptional talent offers proof that the best things sometimes really do come in small packages Photograph: Friedemann Vogel - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

10) Linda Bresonik, defender or midfielder (Germany) Usually deployed at right back or right wing back, the incisive yet comfortable on the ball Bresonik can also play on the left or in central midfield. Now aged 27, was part of the German defence which failed to concede a single goal en route to 2007 Women's World Cup glory in China. German efficiency and enterprise personified Photograph: Boris Streubel/Getty Images