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Alara Sehitler<\/strong>, Bayern Munich and Germany (19):<\/strong> Sehitler\u2019s transition into Bayern Munich\u2019s first team has come as little surprise and the creative midfielder has established herself as a strong impact player for Jos\u00e9 Barcala\u2019s side. She has three Frauen Bundesliga goals this season and sparked Bayern\u2019s comeback against Arsenal in the Champions League. After making her senior debut for Germany in November 2024, she will be looking to establish herself as a regular for their upcoming 2027 World Cup qualifiers.<\/p>\n Giulia Galli<\/strong>, Roma and Italy (17): <\/strong>Galli is widely regarded as one of the best young Italian talents to emerge for a long time and became Roma\u2019s youngest player to make her Serie A debut in May 2024, aged 16 and one month. Establishing herself in the senior squad this season, she scored her first club goal in September and has featured in the Champions League. After starring in Italy\u2019s sensational run to the semi-finals of last summer\u2019s Under-17 Euros, the talented forward played a significant role at the subsequent Under-17 World Cup, picking up the bronze boot. She will surely feature at this autumn\u2019s Under-20 World Cup.<\/p>\n Fridah Mukoma<\/strong>, Kansas City Current and Zambia (19): <\/strong>Mukoma is yet to feature for Kansas City Current since joining in March but she is one of the latest exciting Zambian talents. She signed for the National Women\u2019s Soccer League club for an undisclosed fee from Zesco Ndola Girls before heading to Beijing Jingtan on loan. The striker made an immediate impact after making her debut at international level, winning the golden boot as Zambia won the 2024 Cosafa Women\u2019s Championship (southern Africa\u2019s regional tournament) and will be one to watch at the 2026 Women\u2019s Africa Cup of Nations.<\/p>\n Daniela Galic<\/strong>, Vittsj\u00f6 and Australia (19): <\/strong>Galic is an attacking midfielder who has shown plenty of potential. Currently playing in Sweden at Vittsj\u00f6, she made her mark on the second half of the 2025 Damallsvenskan season, immediately becoming a regular starter and registering four goals and three assists in 13 appearances. She has yet to make an appearance for Joe Montemurro\u2019s Matildas but, with a successful Young Matildas career under her belt, she will have one eye on trying to force her way into the squad for a home Asian Cup this March.<\/p>\n <\/span>Paula Comendador has stepped up to Real Madrid\u2019s senior team as a teenager after demonstrating a proven ability to score in age-group football.<\/span> Photograph: Javier Borrego\/AFP7\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Paula Comendador<\/strong>, Real Madrid and Spain (18): <\/strong>Comendador has consistently been one of the most prolific goalscorers in youth football. Her exploits with Spain at both under-17 and under-19 level \u2013 including a silver medal, golden boot and silver ball at the 2024 Under-17 Women\u2019s World Cup \u2013 are an indication of the depth of her talent. She moved up to the Real Madrid senior team in July and has predominantly featured from the bench this season. She should add to her experience with an Under-20 World Cup later this year and a senior debut for La Roja<\/em> will surely not be too far away.<\/p>\n Montserrat Sald\u00edvar<\/strong>, Club Am\u00e9rica and Mexico (19): <\/strong>There is a strong argument to say that Sald\u00edvar has already broken out in Mexico. Since making her debut for Club Am\u00e9rica at 14, she has racked up more than 100 appearances for the Liga MX Femenil side. The winger has played an integral role in Mexico\u2019s recent progress at youth level, ever-present in their run to the round of 16 at the 2024 Under-20 World Cup and scoring eight goals as they secured the silver medal at last summer\u2019s Concacaf Under-20 Championship. Her senior debut came in October 2024 and with the opportunity to play in another Under-20 World Cup and first Concacaf Women\u2019s Championship, where qualification for the 2027 World Cup is up for grabs, the next 12 months could prove even more significant.<\/p>\n Wassa Sangar\u00e9<\/strong>, London City Lionesses and France (19): <\/strong>Sangar\u00e9\u2019s bright start to life in the Women\u2019s Super League has certainly been noticed after the young French international joined London City Lionesses on loan from OL Lyonnes. The talented central defender has adjusted well to the demands of the top English league, establishing her place with nine consecutive league starts. Her success at youth level for France \u2013 winning the 2023 Under-17 Euros and reaching the semi-finals of the under-19 tournament the subsequent year \u2013 led to her making her senior debut in the Nations League third-place playoff victory over Sweden in early December.<\/p>\n Kaylee Hunter<\/strong>, AFC Toronto and Canada (17): <\/strong>The launch of Canada\u2019s Northern Super League in 2025 allowed the spotlight to be shone on some of Canada\u2019s emerging talents. One of the leading lights is Hunter, who was at the heart of AFC Toronto\u2019s success in winning the inaugural NSL Supporters\u2019 Shield, for topping the regular-season table, and reaching the final. A talented forward, she finished second-top scorer with 14 goals and was named rookie of the year. Her performances caught the eye of Canada\u2019s head coach, Casey Stoney, and she received her first call-up in October but is yet to make her debut.<\/p>\n <\/span>Lucia Kendall\u2019s excellent end to 2025 included scoring a first senior England goal.<\/span> Photograph: James Marsh\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Lucia Kendall<\/strong>, Aston Villa and England (21): <\/strong>It has been a whirlwind three months for Kendall, who has found herself propelled into the spotlight at the highest level. After making the move from Southampton to Aston Villa and the WSL, her impressive performances at the heart of midfield caught the eye of Sarina Wiegman. A debut followed in the Lionesses\u2019 victory over Australia back in October where she put in a player-of-the-match performance. In the following camp, she scored her first England goal against Ghana at St Mary\u2019s Stadium, the home of her childhood club, where she had played for a decade. Kendall will surely play an integral role in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers as she looks to cement her role within the setup.<\/p>\n Trinity Armstrong<\/strong>, San Diego Wave and USA (18): <\/strong>Armstrong\u2019s debut season in the NWSL could not have gone much better. The centre-back established herself as a mainstay in Jonas Eidevall\u2019s San Diego Wave side as they made a run for the playoffs. Mature beyond her years, she made 23 regular-season appearances and scored one goal. She has represented the USA from under-15 level and was ever-present in their third-place finish at the 2024 Under-17 World Cup. Her performances will have no doubt put her on Emma Hayes\u2019s radar as she continues to bring young players into the senior fold.<\/p>\n New start: <\/strong>Tenerife have appointed a new coach after the surprise departure of Eder Maestre, handing the reins to Yerai Mart\u00edn Ramos. The 33-year-old has already had a successful spell at Eibar while his most recent job was in Portugal with Racing Power FC. \u201cI arrive hoping to grow with the club and bring joy to the island,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Early activity:<\/strong> The transfer window does not officially open until Friday 2 January but there has been some early business completed in the WSL. Manchester United have been at the heart of the news so far, signing the Sweden defender Hanna Lundkvist and the Germany forward Lea Sch\u00fcller while also extending Hinata Miyazawa\u2019s contract. The 22-year-old Swedish defender Hanna Wijk has joined Tottenham on a long-term contract from H\u00e4cken.<\/p>\n <\/span>Germany\u2019s Lea Sch\u00fcller is one of two new signings already made by Manchester United.<\/span> Photograph: Dpa Picture Alliance\/Alamy<\/p>\n From the first conversations that I had with Marc [Skinner] and the club, the ambitions of everyone here were very clear. I still have so much that I want to achieve in my career, and I know that Manchester United is the perfect club to join. I feel that the team\u2019s style of football will really suit my game, I hope my qualities and experience can help us to achieve our aims both in England and in the Champions League\u201d \u2013 Sch\u00fcller on signing for Manchester United.<\/p>\n With the winter break here in Europe in full flow, turn your eyes to Australia\u2019s A-League, where the 19-year-old forward Peta Trimis scored this rocket for Central Coast Mariners in their 3-3 draw with Melbourne Victory.<\/p>\n With an unusually high number of elite-level players out of contract in 2026 it promises to be an intriguing January transfer window. Tom Garry has the lowdown.<\/p>\n What will women\u2019s football in England look like in 10 years\u2019 time? Suzanne Wrack has the answers.<\/p>\n And, last but not least, check out our women\u2019s transfer interactive, including every deal in the WSL, NWSL, Liga F, Frauen-Bundesliga, Premi\u00e8re Ligue and Serie A Femminile.<\/p>\nTalking points<\/h2>\n
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