Striker, Bethany England has earned a recall to England squad for 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
England has struggled for game time under manager – Sarina Wiegman but having scored 13 goals in 11 matches since her move to Tottenham Hotspur in January, her form left Wiegman with little option to recall her for the World Cup.
Women’s Super League’s Golden Boot winner, Rachel Daly meanwhile spearheads the forward selection, with Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Katie Robinson and Alessia Russo also named in the squad.
Fran Kirby and Beth Mead meanwhile miss out through injury despite there having been hope that Mead might just be fit enough in time for the tournament, yet Wiegman has opted not to risk the Arsenal forward for this tournament despite praising her for being “positive” in her recovery.
Manchester City goalkeeper, Sandy Maclver is ruled out as she continues her recovery from an injury which forced her to withdraw from April’s squad, during which that squad went on to beat Brazil to win 2023 Women’s Finalissima.
Wiegman consequently decided to take the same goalkeeping selection which she selected for England’s 2022 UEFA Euro success, with Mary Earps, Hannah Hampton and Ellie Roebuck all named in the squad as the Lionesses’ three goalkeepers.
Captain and defender, Leah Williamson is ruled out with an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury and has been replaced by her Arsenal teammate – Lotte Wubben Moy.
Wubben-Moy has been joined in defence by Chelsea trio – Millie Bright Jess Carter and Niamh Charles plus Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood and Esme Morgan.
Bright and Bronze’s call-ups however comes despite the pair having undergone knee surgery in recent weeks, meaning that Maya Le Tissier and Lucy Parker have been dropped after featuring in April’s selection.
Le Tissier though has been named as a reserve player alongside midfielder – Jess Park who will both travel to the tournament as back-up players, whilst Everton goalkeeper, Emily Ramsey will join the squad for training at St George’s Park but not travel to the tournament.
On having Bright and Bronze available for selection this summer, Wiegman iterated that both players play “an important role for the team and they have impact.”
Bright meanwhile will step up from her role as vice-captain and become the team captain, due to Williamson’s absence.
Former captain, Steph Houghton though misses out despite speculation she could of been recalled to provide experience and leadership, following Williamson’s injury in mid-April.
In midfield, Laura Coombs, Jordan Nobbs, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone and Keira Walsh have been retained, whilst Katie Zelem has earned a recall to the squad.
England’s opening Group D match against Haiti takes place at Lang Park, Brisbane on Saturday 22 July (10:30am BST UK Time), before facing Denmark at Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney on Friday 28 July at 9:30am BST.
Wiegman’s Lionesses will then meet China at Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide on Tuesday 1 August (12:00pm BST) in their final match of the Group Stage, where they’re favourites to advance to the Knockout Stage as Group D winners.
It is currently unclear if any UK broadcaster will broadcast the tournament following disagreements with FIFA over the broadcast value of the tournament, which is the first edition of the Women’s World Cup to have broadcasting rights marketed separately from the Men’s World Cup.
UK Secretary of Culture, Media and Sport Minister, Lucy Frazer has therefore criticised FIFA in a joint statement alongside her French, German, Italian and Spanish counter-parts, with France, Germany, Italy and Spain at risk of also not broadcasting the tournament.
Here is the 23-player squad in full for 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
Goalkeepers – Mary Earps (Manchester United), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City), Hannah Hampton (Aston Villa)
Defence – Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Esme Morgan (Everton), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)
Midfield – Laura Coombs (Manchester City), Jordan Nobbs (Aston Villa), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona), Katie Zelem (Manchester United)
Forwards – Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Bethany England (Tottenham Hotspur), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Katie Robinson (Brighton & Hove Albion), Alessio Russo (Manchester United)
Reserves – Emily Ramsey (GK, Everton)*, Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Jess Park (Manchester City)
*Ramsey won’t travel with squad to Women’s World Cup but will participate in training at St George’s Park.
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