WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2023:
MOST FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP APPEARANCES
David Oku
FORMIGA – 7
Miraildes Maciel Mota commonly known as Formiga represented the Brazilian National Team for 26 years. She’s the most capped football player in the history of the Brazilian teams (men’s and women’s) gaining her 234th and final cap in a 6-1 win over India at the 2021 International Women’s Football Tournament of Manans. Formiga is the only football player in history (men’s and women’s) to play in 7 World Cups and 7 Olympic games.
HOMARE SAWA –
The former Japanese professional footballer played as a forward or a midfielder spanning 22 years with the Japan National Team, most notably captaining them at the FIFA Women’s World Cup win in 2011 and an Olympic Silver medal finish in 2012. Sawa is regarded by many as one of the greatest female footballers of all time. The 44-year-old Fuchu native played in 6 Women’s World Cups and was named the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year.
MARTA – 6
Marta Vieira da Silva is often regarded as the greatest female footballer of all time having been named FIFA Women’s Player of the Year 6 times. The left-footed forward will be making her 6th appearance for Brazil at this year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Marta holds the record for being Brazil’s top goalscorer with 115 goals. With 17 goals Marta also holds the record for most goals scored in the FIFA World Cup tournament.
ONOME EBI – 6
Onome Ebi is a towering center-back whose career has spanned over a decade and a half with the Nigerian Women’s National Team the Super Falcons. In 2019 she became the first African footballer to play in 5 FIFA World Cup tournaments. She will be making a 6th appearance in Australia and New Zealand. Onome Ebi has helped Nigeria to 4 African Women’s Championships win and is an inspiration for young girls back home who’re looking to pursue a football career.
CRISTIAN SINCLAIR – 6
Canadian Women’s National Team Captain Cristian Sinclair remains the dominant voice and influence in the women’s game. In her 40s she’ll be making an appearance at this year’s Women’s World Cup which will be her 6th and last. The 14-time winner of the Canada Soccer Player of the Year Award is the world’s all-time leader in international goals scored for men or women with 190 goals and is one of the most capped active international soccer players with more than 300 caps. Sinclair has an Olympic gold medal and 2 bronze medals to her name. She’ll be hoping to inspire Canada WNT to their first World Cup title in Australia and New Zealand.
CRISTIANE – 5
Cristiane Rozeira de Souza Silva is a prolific forward who plays for the Brazilian National Team. She’s achieved success with her country notable in their run to the final of the Olympic football tournaments in 2004 and 2008 where they won silver. At the club level, Cristiane has played professionally in France, Germany, Sweden, the US, Russia, and South Korea. Cristiane is an openly lesbian and has been in a relationship with Ana Paula Garcia Silva a lawyer since February 2019. On August 15, 2020, the two married in Sau Paulo Brazil.
KRISTINE LILLY – 5
American Soccer player Kristine Lilly had an incredible playing career and was a member of the United States Women’s National Team for 23 years. She’s the most capped football player in the history of the sport (men’s and women’s), gaining her 354th and final cap against Mexico in a World Cup qualifier in November 2010. Lilly scored 130 goals for the US National team, behind Mai Ham’s 158 goals and Abby Wambach’s 184.
BIRGIT PRINZ – 5
Two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion and Three-time FIFA World Player of the Year Birgit Prinz was a beast in her playing days. She remains one of the game’s most prolific strikers and is the second FIFA Women’s World Cup all-time leading scorer with 14 goals (second only to Marta from Brazil). Prinz announced the end of her active career in 2011 before taking up sports psychology as a new career.
CHRISTIE RAMPONE – 5
Christie Pearce (formerly known as Rampone) captained the US Women’s National team playing as a defender. Pearce is a 3-time Olympic gold medallist and also a two-time world champion in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. She was the oldest player to appear in a World Cup game aged 40 until Formiga competed in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup at the of 41. With 311 caps, Pearce is also the 3rd most-capped player male or female in the US and world history after Kristine Lilly and Carli Lloyd.
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