Future Queens

Sydney FC may not be in the best form right now, but their future looks incredibly bright. Their defence is being strengthened by a teenager who has already surpassed even Australian legend Sam Kerr in one remarkable way.

When Giovanna Waksman moved from Florida to OL Lyonnes at just 16 — a club many older players can only dream of joining — the media quickly labelled her ‘the next Marta’. But have the French champions really discovered a generational talent?

Various top female footballers share their first encounters with football as emerging from observing their older brothers playing football. And Jessie Gale, England's rising star, is no exception. 

In November 2025, centre-back and Swedish football legend Magdalena Eriksson brought her international career to an end. According to her own words, the decision was made by listening to her body. Eriksson could step away knowing the future of Sweden’s national team was in good hands. Stepping into her role is 19-year-old Bella Andersson, one of the most promising young defenders in the country.

Japanese women’s football is on the rise. Fresh off their SheBelieves Cup triumph, Japan arrive as strong favourites for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup title. One player to keep a close eye on is young midfielder Momoko Tanikawa, one of the brightest emerging talents in the squad.

This time, our Future Queen series heads to Denmark — a country that has given women’s football the likes of Pernille Harder, Signe Bruun or Nadia Nadim for example. And in Brøndby, another special talent may just be born.

As a young player, she was inspired by Ada Hegerberg. Years later, she started to play alongside her in the national team. At just 20, she won the Toppserien title with Brann, was named Player of the Season and earned a move to the Europe’s most competitive league. What else lies behind the story of Signe Gaupset?