Potential Breakout Players at the 2019 Women's World Cup

Breakout stars are crowned at every tournament across the global landscape, and the 2019 Women's World Cup in France will be no different. Here's a look at some of the young, potential breakout stars who could set the tournament alight.

As much as World Cups are about seeing established superstars perform at their best on the global stage, they also tend to be about identifying the next generation of talent. Breakout stars are crowned at every tournament across the global landscape, and the 2019 Women's World Cup in France will be no different.

Here's a look at some of the young, potential breakout stars who could set the tournament alight.

Grace Geyoro (France)

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Age: 21

Position: Midfielder

Club: Paris Saint-Germain

The PSG rising talent is the youngest member of an experienced France side looking to lift the trophy for the first time all while playing on home soil.

She has replaced veteran international and PSG teammate Jessica Houara in the squad and will wear the No. 8 shirt for Les Bleus this summer.

Tierna Davidson (USA)

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Age: 20

Position: Defender

Club: Chicago Red Stars

Canada's Kadeisha Buchanan proved in 2015 that young defenders can become World Cup stars, and the versatile America, who can play in the center or at left back, will be looking to do the same this year.

Formerly a college standout at Stanford University, Davidson, who became a United States international last year, was selected first overall in the 2019 NWSL draft.

Mary Fowler (Australia)

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Age: 16

Position: Forward

Club: Bankstown City

Born in February 2003, Fowler was only 15 when she made her international debut in 2018 and is one of the youngest ever players named in a Women's World Cup squad.

Last year, ex-Matildas coach Alen Stajcic described her as having a 'profound' instinct for goal, saying: "She's probably got the most amount of weapons I've seen from a young player her age."

Khadija Shaw (Jamaica)

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Age: 22

Position: Forward

Club: University of Tennessee

"Bunny" Shaw has scored 1.45 goals per game in her international career to date and will be Jamaica's chief threat at the Caribbean island's first Women's World Cup.

Shaw, who once scored six goals in an international drubbing of Guadeloupe, was named Guardian Footballer of the Year in 2018 and has overcome great personal tragedy to get this far.

Erin Cuthbert (Scotland)

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Age: 20

Position: Forward

Club: Chelsea

The Chelsea and Scotland forward marked the 2018/19 club season by scoring Champions League goals against both Paris Saint-Germain and eventual winners Lyon.

She is set for a starring role as Scotland features in the Women's World Cup for the first time and will be an important part of a potentially potent attacking unit in the squad.

Jordyn Huitema (Canada)

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Age: 18

Position: Forward

Club: Paris Saint-Germain

The Canadian teenager made her debut in 2017 and announced earlier this year she would skip the usual North American college route and go straight to a professional club.

It was PSG that she chose to sign for, agreeing to a long-term, four-year contract in May that will see her make the move across the Atlantic Ocean to France after the World Cup.

Ingrid Syrstad Engen (Norway)

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Age: 21

Position: Midfielder

Club: Wolfsburg

Engen is Norway's rising star and will be tasked with replacing Barcelona-bound international teammate Caroline Graham Hansen at German giant Wolfsburg next season.

The 21-year-old agreed to her transfer to Germany in January, but the deal allowed her to remain at Norwegian side LSK Kvinner until after the World Cup.

Georgia Stanway (England)

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Age: 20

Position: Midfielder

Club: Manchester City

Stanway is the youngest player in an England squad expected to challenge for the trophy at this Women's World Cup, yet she is a potential X-factor.

Despite not being a striker, Stanway managed 11 goals in the 2018/19 Women's Super League season and finished the campaign with the PFA Young Player of the Year award.

Lea Schuller (Germany)

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Age: 21

Position: Forward

Club: Essen

Germany is without the retired Anja Mittag at an international tournament for only the second time since the 2004 Olympics, but Schuller has emerged at exactly the right time.

The 21-year-old has enjoyed a prolific start to her international career, punctuated by scoring all four goals in a 4-0 qualifying match over Czech Republic, and is a dark horse for the Golden Boot this summer.