FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: The race for the Golden Ball for tournament MVP (2024)

There are plenty of awards up for grabs at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, aside from football’s most coveted trophy, of course.

From Golden Boot for top scorer to Golden Glove for best goalkeeper, and everything in between, there are several individual honours available to win.

None, however, are quite as prestigious as the Golden Ball, which is awarded to the best player throughout the tournament.

This generally goes to a player from the nation who lifts the World Cup at the end of the competition, for their contributions to their success.

The last two winners of this individual Most Valuable Player (MVP) award have been Megan Rapinoe and Carli Lloyd, but with the USA subject to a shock early exit, it paves the way for a player from a different nation to be crowned.

Many players often go under the radar for their displays, namely midfielders and defenders, with goals and assists a major factor in the awarding of the Golden Ball.

With that in mind, we’ve selected one player from each of the remaining eight teams who could potentially be in with a chance of winning this honour and being named the most valuable player of Australia & New Zealand 2023.

• FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Full results and standings
• FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Race for the Golden Boot

Spain: Aitana Bonmati (4 games, 3 goals, 2 assists)

Aitana Bonmati was among the Spanish players who made themselves re-available for selection having initially stepped back following their Euro 2020 disappointment. With a title-winning Liga F campaign with FC Barcelona under her belt, along with another UEFA Women's Champions League win, helping her nation to a World Cup title could even see her take home the coveted Golden Ball. Her campaign at 2023 FIFA World Cup so far goes a long way in supporting her bid for the award, with five-goal involvements (three goals and two assists) in four games so far. If Spain does go all the way, Bonmati will likely be the player to roar them to success.

Netherlands: Jill Roord (4 games, 4 goals)

Jill Roord has been an important cog in the current Dutch side, who – after reaching the final in 2019 – will be looking to better that by winning the whole thing. They are flying through the competition, with Roord responsible for scoring four of their 11 goals and becoming their top all-time goal scorer in the World Cup. She has also become a key leadership figure within the squad, leading by example on the field.

Japan: Miyazawa Hinata (4 games, 5 goals, 1 assist)

Miyazawa Hinata has been a revelation for Japan at Australia & New Zealand 2023. The 23-year-old emerged as an unlikely leader for the Golden Boot, scoring five goals prior to the quarter-final stage, including the killer blow to Norway in their Round of 16 clash. A player that loves to play on the shoulder of the last defender, her electric pace makes her the prime candidate to latch onto long balls from midfield. Her precise shooting has been equally impressive, scoring from five of her six shots on target – that kind of clinical edge can be crucial for Japan as the competition progresses.

Sweden: Amanda Ilestedt (4 games, 3 goals, 1 assist, 3 clean sheets)

It is not often your go-to goal scorer is your centre-back, but with three goals in the tournament thus far, Ilestedt is leading the way for Sweden, not to mention providing an assist from the back too. But she hasn’t only been firing on all fronts in front of the opposite goal. The Arsenal newcomer has also been defending her own impressively. The Swedes have conceded just one goal so far, keeping three clean sheets in four games, with Ilestedt’s impressive performances playing a key role in that.

England: Mary Earps (4 games, 3 clean sheets)

A week ago we might have been talking about Lauren James in the conversation for the Golden Ball, and while that still may possible, it depends largely on how far England progress given her suspension having picked up a red card in the Round of 16. Outside of those dazzling displays up top, England have been relentless at the back – conceding just one goal so far, which was a penalty. Goalkeeper Mary Earps has been credited with keeping England in the tournament at times. Could she double up with the Golden Glove and Golden Ball?

Colombia: Linda Caicedo (4 games, 2 goals)

Colombia’s rising star was one to watch for many coming into this tournament, and despite being just 18, the Real Madrid player rose to the occasion. It has very much been a team effort from Colombia to make history by reaching the last eight, with every player playing their part, but Caicedo has delivered magical moments for the Chicas Superpoderosas. Most notably that sublime goal against Germany in an eventual 2-1 win.

Australia: Caitlin Foord (4 games, 1 goal, 2 assists)

When it was announced that Sam Kerr would miss Australia’s opening two group games through injury, fans of the co-hosts held their breath. But suffice it to say, plenty of the Matildas stepped up to help spur the team on to reach the quarter-finals, from Mary Fowler and Hayley Raso to midfield duo Katrina Gorry and Kyra Cooney-Cross; but Caitlin Foord has been a standout across the tournament thus far. From scoring to creating, she is a driving force of their attack in the absence of the talismanic Kerr.

France: Kadidiatou Diani (4 games, 4 goals, 3 assists)

French forward Kadidiatou Diani was one of the side’s leaders who stepped down from the national team last year in protest to how the team was managed, but has since returned with the arrival of Herve Renard. For club and country, her form continues to hit new ground and this tournament has been yet another indication of the talent she possesses. Diani currently has seven goal involvements at Australia & New Zealand 2023 – four goals, three assists – with three of those coming against Morocco in the last 16 alone. She is very much leading from the front as far as France are concerned, and is a vital member of this squad as they eye World Cup glory.