The Women’s World Cup kicks off on 20 July, which means we’re now just a few days away from another month of pint-lobbing, sports bra-flaunting, Neil Diamond-belting drama as Sarina Wiegman’s England side heads to Australia and New Zealand in the hopes of adding more silverware to their trophy cabinet.
As expected given FIFA’s involvement, the run-up to the competition hasn’t been without its controversies. There have been national team boycotts by various major players, equal pay disputes and drawn-out negotiations over TV licensing deals. Nevertheless, with more than a million tickets sold before a ball has even been kicked, the tournament is already being touted as an enormous success. It’s expected to further raise the profile of the women’s game in the UK following a landmark domestic season.
After last July’s historic Euros win, the Lionesses have joined reigning champions the USA, Copa América victors Brazil and two-time winners Germany as tournament favourites. A friendly win against the USA back in October and victory against Brazil in April will have given the Lionesses some confidence, but preparation for the 32-team tournament hasn’t been without its challenges for Sarina’s side. After an unbeaten run of 30 games, the formidable Dutch manager suffered her first loss as England boss in a friendly tournament against hosts Australia in April. Captain Leah Williamson was ruled out of the tournament just days later after suffering a long-term ACL injury, joining Euros Golden Boot-winner Beth Mead and starting midfielder Fran Kirby on the sidelines.
The captain’s armband will be worn by reliable 29-year-old centre-back Millie Bright. The Chelsea defender is one of the squad’s most decorated and experienced players, having just secured her seventh Women’s Super League title. Right-back Lucy Bronze might have struggled with chronic shyness as a child, but the 31-year-old has emerged as another leader within the team. With 104 appearances for England, she’s the squad’s most capped player.
Five further members of Sarina’s unchanged Euros starting line-up return to the squad this summer. Defensive midfielder Keira Walsh is finally being recognised as a world-class talent thanks to a dazzling first season in Barcelona’s Champions League-winning side, while Manchester United’s Mary Earps is another player who’s getting her dues post-Euros. The table-dancing goalie admitted that she almost quit football in 2021, before cementing her place as England’s number one when Sarina took over.
Midfielder Georgia Stanway is fresh from winning the Frauen-Bundesliga title in her inaugural season as a Bayern Munich player. The 24-year-old celebrated the team’s victory with a rousing rendition of “Sweet Caroline”, having also chosen the England anthem as her induction song when she reported for duty with her new club days after winning the Euros – a bold move considering several of her new teammates were part of the German side that lost to England in the final. Her former Manchester City teammate Lauren Hemp is four-time winner of the Women’s Young Player of the Year Award and will be hoping to retain her starting berth on the wing.
The versatile Rachel Daly may have previously started as a defender for England, but she’ll be leading the line in her new role as a striker this summer after winning the WSL Golden Boot in her first season with Aston Villa, equalling the previous record with 22 goals in 22 games. The Harrogate-born 31-year-old can often be seen kissing her wristband after scoring in tribute to her late father Martyn, whom she credits with introducing her to football. Manchester City’s Alex Greenwood looks the most likely to fill the vacancy she leaves at left-back, having excelled when brought on in the latter stages of England’s extra-time victories during last summer’s tournament. The Scouser is another senior member of the squad who will be heading to her third World Cup, and will be cheered on by her long-term partner, Sheffield United centre-back Jack O’Connell.
Besties Alessia Russo and Ella Toone also impressed as substitutes at their first major tournament for England last summer, the former scoring that audacious backheel double nutmeg against Sweden and the latter getting England’s opener in the final. With Russo signing for Arsenal in one of the big transfers of this summer’s window, the usually inseparable pair will be playing for different teams next season, but fans of the duo will hopefully get plenty of opportunities to sing their Status Quo-inspired chant over the course of the World Cup. Manchester City’s Chloe Kelly will forever be remembered for scoring the winning goal in the final, not to mention for her instantly iconic shirt-waving celebration. The Calvin Klein model is another of the super subs – aka The Huns – who will be hoping to play a more significant role in this summer’s tournament.
As second choice behind her club teammate Williamson, Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben-Moy is one of the three outfield players who didn’t get on the pitch during the Euros, but is nevertheless said to have been a key figure in the dressing room; it was the 24-year-old’s idea to send an open letter to government leaders in the aftermath of last summer’s victory, demanding their support in building on the legacy of the Euros. She’s performed admirably for the north London side since Williamson was ruled out, and may well have earned a place in the Lionesses’ starting line-up as a result.
Likewise, striker Beth England has been in great form this season after a record-breaking transfer from Chelsea to Tottenham in January, while her ex-teammate Jess Carter has been entrusted with a much more prominent role for Chelsea during their title-winning campaign. Both players will also be hoping for some minutes this time round. Reserve goalkeepers Hannah Hampton and Ellie Roebuck complete the list of players retained from last summer’s squad.
Midfielders Jordan Nobbs, Laura Coombs and Katie Zelem return to the England set-up after missing out last summer, and will be looking to prove a point should they be entrusted with some minutes. Chelsea’s Lauren James follows in the footsteps of her older brother Reece in representing England at a major tournament, with the 22-year-old considered to be an equally prodigious talent at right-back. Manchester City’s 22-year-old defender Esme Morgan and Brighton’s 20-year-old forward Katie Robinson complete the trio of youngsters to have secured a place in the squad despite only making their senior squad debuts last autumn.
England’s campaign gets underway on Saturday 22 July with a 10.30am kick-off against Haiti, followed by further group games against Denmark and China. Fingers crossed our Lionesses can make us feel some semblance of national pride once again.
