Freya Ward was at Boldmere St. Michaels FC today to listen to England head coach Sarina Wiegman reveal her Lionesses squad for the World Cup for Impetus, and Suvadeep Biswas provides EXCLUSIVE photography from the event. (31/5/23).
Above: Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman at today’s media conference to announce the England World Cup squad. Photo: Suvadeep Biswas for Impetus.
Ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, starting in just 50 days, Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman announced her 23-player squad for what England fans will all hope is going to be a summer just as memorable as last year.
As anticipated, captain Leah Williamson has missed out on selection due to her ACL injury that she acquired in April, against Manchester United. However Millie Bright, England’s vice-captain (now captain) has made her way back into the squad after she was forced to pull out of April’s fixtures against Brazil and Australia after she picked up a knee injury against Olympique Lyonnaise in the Champions League.
Another blow due to injury comes to Beth Mead – golden boot winner in the Euros – again suffering an ACL injury back in November, whilst some held out hopes that she would just manage to make her way back into the squad, in an interview last week, Mead admitted: “The World Cup has come around a bit too soon”. Wiegman also commented that: “Including Beth in the squad was just not a risk that she I was willing to take”, for both the squad and the Arsenal star’s benefit.
In terms of those who were selected, Tottenham Hotspur’s star striker Bethany England has received an international recall after not being included in the squad since the World World Cup qualifiers back in September, where she scored a brace in England’s 10-0 win over Luxembourg.
After moving to Spurs in the January transfer window, the attacker has scored 12 goals in 12 games and was vital in keeping Spurs afloat in the WSL, which has resulted in her much-deserved World Cup call-up. Reflecting on her selection of England, Wiegman said: “Beth’s performances and resilience” were what made her decision to include her in the squad.
The number nine position is going to be one that is very competitive throughout the tournament with Rachel Daly and Alessia Russo also both excelling in the position throughout the WSL season with Daly winning player of the season and the Golden Boot (22 goals) and Russo winning the goal of the season award for Manchester United. I think we can expect a goal fest throughout the tournament.
Three players have been selected as standby options, as the squad is allowed to be altered up until the first game, against Haiti is played. These three players are goalkeeper Emily Ramsey, Jess Park, and Maya Le Tissier, all of which have recently made the big step from the U23s to the Senior squad, something that highlights Wiegman’s trust in England’s next generation.
Ramsey will leave the camp before the squad fly Down Under, whilst Park and Le Tissier will travel with the rest of the squad. Le Tissier missing out on the main squad was probably the most surprising to come out of the squad selection, despite having only two senior caps to her name. The defender’s quality performances and weekly starts for Manchester United made it a “really hard decision” for Wiegman which is why she has been selected as one of the few standby players.
Millie Bright has been named captain and has experience in captaining the Lionesses on numerous occasions in Williamson’s absence, including the 2-1 win against the USA at Wembley, in October, proving that there is no one better to take over the key role.
England will come together on the 19th June at St George’s Park, where they will begin their build-up to the tournament before leaving for their Central Coast base in New South Wales. Reflecting on these preparations, Wiegman said: “The players will have two weeks of no football to rest and recover from the season.
“Having longer than two weeks – which is what the calendar is stating- is going to work against the girls and the team, as they need as much time as possible to prepare before flying out to Australia, where all of the squad are going to have to beat the jet lag; having as much time as possible for the group to work on communication and get back into the routine of international football is going to be absolutely vital for England’s success.”
As part of the day at Boldmere St. Michaels, England boss Sarina Wiegman spent time talking to the club’s youngsters.
Suvadeep Biswas’ EXCLUSIVE photo gallery from the England World Cup squad announcement for Impetus:
LIONESSES SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps, Hannah Hampton, Ellie Roebuck.
Defenders: Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Esme Morgan, Niamh Charles, Alex Greenwood, Lotte Wubben-Moy.
Midfielders: Laura Coombs, Jordan Nobbs, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Kiera Walsh, Katie Zelem.
Forwards: Rachel Daly, Bethany England, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Katie Robinson, Alessia Russo.
Impetus kicks off our extensive World Cup coverage from mid-June with our nation previews of all the 32 competing countries before our team of contributors based worldwide cover the tournament, including 10 Impetus contributors based in Australia and New Zealand for the duration of the tournament.
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