Women's World Cup: England Women's Team Profile

Fresh from claiming their first piece of major silverware at last year's Euros, England's Women's team will be eager to cause a stir at this year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The Lionesses will have to make do without captain Leah Williamson and Euro 2022 top scorer Beth Mead due to injuries this summer but under the steady stewardship of Sarina Wiegman, this England team will fancy their chances against anyone at the World Cup and are 7/2 to go all the way to lift the trophy.
 

England's World Cup record: 

England were crowned European champions back in 2022 but a first World Cup title still eludes the Lionesses. 

The team's best previous performance at the Women's World Cup was back in Canada in 2015 when they finished third, losing to Japan in the competition's semi-finals but edging Germany in the third-place play-off. 

In the most recent World Cup in France in 2019, England eased through their group with three wins from three matches and went on to beat Cameroon and Norway in the knockout stage. 

In the semi-finals, however, they ran into the United States and were beaten 2-1 at Decines-Charpieu. 

They went on to finish fourth and reached the quarter-finals in their three other tournament appearances in 1995, 2007 and 2011. 

England failed to qualify for the Women's World Cup in 1991, 1999 and 2003. In total, England have won 15 of their 26 matches at the Women's World Cup finals, drawing four and losing the other seven.
 

How England Qualified:

Stationed in Group D, England were ruthless during their Women's World Cup European qualifying campaign. 

Wiegman's team won all 10 of their matches in their section, which also featured Austria, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg, North Macedonia and Latvia. 

They also managed to rack up 80 goals and did not concede with their best result coming in a 20-0 annihilation of Latvia. 

Mead was particularly prolific during qualifying for England, contributing 13 goals, while Ellen White, who has since retired, bagged 10 goals.
 

The Manager - Sarina Wiegman:

Dutch manager Wiegman has been quite the revelation since replacing Phil Neville as England boss back in September 2021. 

In her first international manager role, Wiegman led her nation the Netherlands to European Championship glory on home soil back in 2017 and also oversaw their run to the final of the Women's World Cup in 2019. 

There was consequently a lot of optimism when she took charge of the Lionesses and she has since justified the hype. 

As well as leading England to victory in the Women's Euro final in 2022, Wiegman also strung together an eye-watering 30-match unbeaten streak at the start of her Lionesses tenure, having not lost as England manager until a 2-0 defeat to Australia in April. 

Wiegman is considered a progressive coach who has transformed England into one of the best teams to watch in women's football. 

Before Wiegman took charge of England in September, Hege Riise had been interim boss following Neville's departure for Inter Miami and the team had won only four of their previous 13 games. 

But Wiegman has restored confidence in the Lionesses camp and put immense faith into a select handful of players during the Euros, having started the same team for every single match in the tournament last summer. 

From goalkeeper Mary Earps to goalscorer Mead, England have looked in excellent hands under Wiegman from the start.
 

Confirmed England Squad:

Goalkeepers: Mary Earps, Ellie Roebuck, Hannah Hampton. 

Defenders: Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood, Millie Bright, Jess Carter, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Niamh Charles, Esme Morgan. 

Midfielders: Jordan Nobbs, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Katie Zelem, Laura Coombs. 

Forwards: Rachel Daly, Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly, Bethany England, Alessia Russo, Lauren James, Katie Robinson.
 

England's Key Players:

With Euro 2022 top scorer Mead injured and White having since hung up her boots since England's continental triumph, Manchester United forward Alessia Russo could play a more integral part in the team's upcoming World Cup campaign. 

Russo, deployed as a super-sub in the Euros, scored four times in the tournament last year and could be in line to lead the Lionesses' attack this time around. 

Previously deployed as a full-back for England, Rachel Daly operated up front for club side Aston Villa this season and went on to be the Women's Super League's top scorer with 22 goals in as many matches. She could also be in for a fine tournament.
 

England's Group Fixtures:

Group D 
England v Haiti, Brisbane, 22nd July 2023 
England v Denmark, Sydney, 28th July 2023 
China v England, Adelaide, 1st August 2023