The FIFA Women's World Cup, which features the top female football teams and players from across the globe, is the sport's most prestigious and challenging competition. The event has seen some incredible goals and performances from some of the best players of all time since it began in 1991. In this article, we will honour the accomplishments and efforts of the top five female goal scorers in FIFA Women's World Cup history.
5. Carli Lloyd (USA) - 10 goals
Having won two FIFA Women's World Cup championships (2015 and 2019), two Olympic gold medals (2008 and 2012), and several individual honours, including as the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year in 2015 and 2016, Carli Lloyd is one of the most accomplished and significant players in US women's soccer history. She is the only player to ever score a hat-trick in a Women's World Cup final, which she accomplished in 2015 against Japan by tallying three goals in the opening 16 minutes of play. She is now tied for sixth place all-time in Women's World Cup goal-scoring with 10 goals in 25 games.
Also Read | Golden Boot Winners of All FIFA Womens World Cup
4. Ann-Kristin Aarones (Norway) - 10 goals
Former Norwegian striker Ann-Kristin Aarones represented her nation from 1994 to 1999. She won the FIFA Women's World Cup in 1995 and the Olympic gold medal in 2000. She was one of the most prolific goal scorers of her time and was renowned for her power, quickness, and finishing skill. At the Women's World Cup, she was the joint-fifth top goal scorer of all time with 10 goals in 11 games. She also owns the record for the quickest goal in Women's World Cup history, which she scored against Canada in 1995 in just 30 seconds. After racking up 60 goals in 111 appearances for Norway, she announced her retirement from international play at the age of 25.
3. Birgit Prinz (Germany) - 14 goals
With two FIFA Women's World Cup victories (2003 and 2007), five UEFA European Championships (1995, 1997, 2001, 2005, and 2009), and three Olympic bronze medals, Birgit Prinz is a legend in German women's football. She also holds the record for the most appearances (214) and goals (128), respectively, in the history of German women's football. She was the joint-second top goal scorer of all time at the Women's World Cup with 14 goals in 24 games. She was also awarded the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year three times in a row from 2003 to 2005. In 2003, she scored seven goals to take home the Golden Boot as the tournament's best scorer.
2. Abby Wambach (USA) - 14 goals
With two FIFA Women's World Cup victories (2015 and 2019), two Olympic gold medals (2004 and 2012), and countless other accolades, including the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year in 2012, Abby Wambach is one of the most recognizable and inspirational figures in American women's soccer history. With 184 goals in 256 appearances, she is also the US women's national team's all-time leading goal scorer and the second-highest goal scorer in the annals of women's international football. She was the joint-second top goal scorer of all time at the Women's World Cup with 14 goals in 25 games. She also has eight headed goals in the competition, which is the most ever.
1. Marta (Brazil) - 17 goals
Having won six FIFA Women's World Player of the Year honors, more than any other player, male or female, Marta is recognized as one of the best female football players of all time. With 109 goals in 153 appearances for Brazil, she also holds the record for most goals scored in women's soccer history at the international level. She is the all-time leading goal scorer at the Women's World Cup with 17 goals in 20 games. In addition, from 2003 to 2019, she set a record for scoring in five separate tournaments. She is still competing and plans to increase her total in the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.
