At 2pm on Wednesday, Sarina Wiegman announced the 23-strong squad that will travel to Australia and New Zealand this summer for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. After enjoying success on the European stage last year, hopes were high heading into this tournament – but injuries to Beth Mead and Leah Williamson cast doubt over who would be called up to replace them.
Goalkeepers
Mary Earps has proven time and time again that she deserves to be England’s first-choice goalkeeper, with performances for the Lionesses and Manchester City showing that she has likely become one of the first names on the teamsheet. We’d expect her to start the majority of games this summer.
Aston Villa’s Hannah Hampton may well have overtaken Ellie Roebuck as Sarina Wiegman’s second choice – and that’s more than warranted by her performances between the sticks for Carla Ward’s side this season.
Ellie Roebuck has endured somewhat of a rough season, conceding a handful of bizarre goals and picking up straight red cards for reckless challenges. Still, the Manchester City ‘keeper retains her place in the squad – but it’s unlikely that we’ll see her feature.
Defenders
Millie Bright returns to the squad, despite concerns that she may not recover in time from a lengthy absence. Wiegman feels the risk is worth taking though, confirming that Bright will be England’s captain at the tournament. She’s joined by Chelsea teammates Jess Carter and Niamh Charles – both of whom have enjoyed successful seasons at the heart of Emma Hayes’ defence.
Barcelona’s Lucy Bronze is also included, as she’s recovered from keyhole surgery following an injury sustained in her club’s UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinal against Chelsea. The right-back is widely recognised as one of the world’s best, and her position in the squad was never in doubt.
Manchester City duo Alex Greenwood and Esme Morgan will also form part of the squad. Greenwood has shown her ability to work both centrally and on the left side of the defence – while Esme Morgan offers a calming presence despite her young age.
While Leah Williamson will miss out as a result of Anterior Cruciate Ligament tear, her Arsenal teammate Lotte Wubben-Moy makes the cut. The defender has developed incredibly this season in Williamson’s absence, forming part of a resolute defence alongside the now-departed Rafaelle Souza.
Midfielders
Manchester United duo Katie Zelem and Ella Toone feature in Sarina Wiegman’s midfield. Zelem in particular offers a reassuring presence in the middle of the park, and her expert set-piece deliveries are likely to come in handy throughout the tournament.
Keira Walsh is the second Barcelona player selected to represent England this summer, and her chemistry with Lucy Bronze will be instrumental in helping the Lionesses to progress up the pitch. Walsh is a player of exceptional quality – there’s a reason Barcelona broke the world record transfer fee to sign her.
Georgia Stanway is also included, having recently won the Frauen-Bundesliga in Germany with Bayern Munich. Alongside Walsh, the duo form an incredibly reliable midfield pairing that is unbelievably difficult to break down – though her performances of Sweet Caroline could use some work ahead of the trip down under.
Finally, Aston Villa’s Jordan Nobbs and Manchester City’s Laura Coombs round out the midfield. Nobbs has been absent from the England setup for years now, but having left her beloved Arsenal to prioritise playing time, it looks as if the move has paid off – and Coombs also returns after a notable absence, picking up just four caps since her debut in 2015.
Forwards
This is arguably England’s best department – and we’ll start off with Manchester United’s Alessia Russo. Contract talks are reportedly ongoing between the star striker and her club, but England fans will be hoping that the situation is resolved before the tournament to allow her full attention to turn to firing in goals for the Lionesses.
Manchester City’s Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly make the cut too, with the latter providing one of English football’s most iconic moments last summer. She’ll be hoping for more of the same, and Lauren Hemp will look to add to her ten England goals as she travels Australia and New Zealand.
Chelsea’s Lauren James is also included, having scored once in ten appearances for the Lionesses since her debut last summer. Her goal contributions may not make for the most impressive reading, but her dribbling ability is crucial in finding spaces in attack – and that’s why she’s on the plane.
Bethany England has also worked her way back into the squad, having signed for Tottenham Hotspur in the January transfer window. She’s been the shining light in a dire Spurs side, and has been instrumental to them staying in the top-flight. Sarina Wiegman will hope that her goalscoring form carries over to the national team.
Brighton’s Katie Robinson is arguably one of the lesser-known names in the squad, but her inclusion shouldn’t come as a surprise. Since making her England debut in November 2022, Robinson has been one of the stars at Brighton – and much like Beth England at Spurs, she’s played a huge role in keeping her side in the WSL.
And finally, the one everyone’s been waiting for – Rachel Daly. Despite starting last summer’s EURO tournament at left-back, Daly has been deployed up front for Aston Villa this season, and Carla Ward’s side have reaped the rewards. She’s bagged 22 goals in as many appearances this campaign, while also contributing five assists.
Absentees
Beth Mead misses out – and while Sarina Wiegman hinted that she was unlikely to make the squad some time ago, recent comments from the Arsenal star indicated that she may well have been in contention.
Manchester United’s Maya Le Tissier doesn’t make the squad, though she has been called up and placed on standby alongside Manchester City loanee Jess Park and Manchester United loanee Emily Ramsey.
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