Women's World Cup 2015: Six key players who have never won a winners' medal, including Marta and Abby Wambach

Being the best in the world doesn't always equate to winning on the world stage

Six player to watch at the Women's World Cup (Getty Images)

The Women's World Cup begins on Saturday as hosts Canada take on China in Group A in front of a sold-out 52,000 at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.

Germany enter as favourites, having won the tournament in 2003 and 2007, but it's Japan who arrive as defending champions. Given that neither Brazil nor the United States - or even England, for that matter - have won the World Cup over the last three tournaments, a number of players could be making their final World Cup appearance in a bid to clinch a first winners' medal.

Here, we look at six key players who could land a first world crown.

Marta (Brazil, 29)

Five-time World Player of the Year nicknamed ‘Pele in skirts’. Now 29 but still feared by opponents. Big occasion player with record-equalling 14 World Cup goals. Plays in Sweden.

Brazil's legendary midfielder Marta is yet to win a first World Cup

Abby Wambach (United States, 35)

No longer a guaranteed starter, but the battering-ram centre-forward will have an impact. Highest international goalscorer of all time with 182 goals and 2012 World Player of the Year.

Abby Wambach is no longer a guaranteed starter for the US

Louisa Necib (France, 28)

Known as the female Zinedine Zidane, being also a No.10 with Algerian ancestry from Marseilles. Champions League winner with Olympique Lyon. Often plays wide for France.

Louisa Necib has been labelled the 'female Zinedine Zidane'

Celia Sasic (Germany, 26)

German-born to a French mother and Cameroonian father took German citizenship at 15 and made international debut a year later. Missed 2007 German triumph through injury.

Celia Sasic missed Germany's success in 2007 through injury

Ji So-Yun (South Korea, 24)

Voted PFA Women’s Player of the Year for her form with Chelsea last season and a key part of their rise to the top of WSL and into FA Cup final this summer. Maker and taker of goals.

Ji So-yun starred for Chelsea this season

Christine Sinclair (Canada, 31)

Canada’s flag-bearer at the close of the 2012 Olympics such is her status in host nation. Canadian player of the year a dozen times, scorer of 153 international goals.

The tournament begins on Saturday with Canada taking on China, while England get their campaign underway on Tuesday in Moncton against France.