England Women's World Cup squad: Projected Lionesses team for 2023 FIFA tournament

Feargal Brennan

England Women's World Cup squad: Projected Lionesses team for 2023 FIFA tournament image

England are among the favourites to clinch glory at the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand on the back of Sarina Wiegman's side's Euro 20222 success.

The Lionesses ended their long wait for a major trophy with a dramatic final win over Germany and Wiegman will be looking to transfer that onto the world stage as they head down under.

Injuries have played a massive role in shaping Wiegman's final World Cup squad, but the Dutch coach has adapted positively, and England remain as one of the strongest teams in the competition.

The enforced changes will force a reshuffle to Wiegman's starting XI, with key players now ruled out, and the pre-tournament friendlies will give an insight into her thinking for the World Cup. The Sporting News takes a look at the Lionesses' squad here.

MORE: FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Which teams have qualified for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand?

England's 2023 Women's World Cup squad

Wiegman admitted her World Cup squad selection involved some tough calls on certain players, with players battling injuries missing out in the final cut.

However, despite the frustration over being forced to make changes, the bulk of Wiegman's starting team looks to be confirmed, as she plans for the World Cup.

Goalkeepers

Manchester United's experienced goal keeper Mary Earps remains as first choice for Wiegman, with eight starts in 10 World Cup qualifiers, including an incredible eight clean sheets.

Hannah Hampton and Ellie Roebuck will travel as back up options with Wiegman unlikely to make any changes unless another injury occurs.

Defenders

Wiegman is set to stick with her preferred 4-3-3 system, despite injuries depriving her of key centre back and captain Leah Williamson, with Millie Bright taking over the armband for the World Cup.

Chelsea defender Bright has shaken off her own injury issues, and will likely be partnered in central defence by the experienced Alex Greenwood, with Barcelona star Lucy Bronze at right back.

With Demi Stokes not selected by Wiegman, after an injury disrupted campaign at Manchester City, Jess Carter looks to be the new choice at left back.

Midfielders

Injuries have hit hard in Wiegman's midfield and attacking areas, but she looks set with a confirmed trio in the engine room, with Georgia Stanway and Keira Walsh enjoying strong first seasons at Bayern Munich and Barcelona respectively.

Walsh will anchor Wiegman's midfield, flanked by Stanway and United playmaker Ella Toone, who was ever present in World Cup qualifying.

Forwards

From the four players who started in Wiegman's attack in the Euro 2022 final win over Germany, only Lauren Hemp is fit enough to be included in the World Cup squad.

Hemp will keep her place in the England forward line, but the other two spots are less clear, with Wiegman set to tinker depending on the opponent in Australian and New Zealand.

Alessia Russo has been elevated from a Euro 2022 super sub to a likely starter, replacing the retired Ellen White, with Lauren James and Bethany England battling for the final place.

Below is the confirmed 23-player England squad for the 2023 FIFA World Cup.

 

Position Player Age International Caps International Goals Club
GK Mary Earps 30 33 0 Man United
GK Ellie Roebuck 23 11 0 Man City
GK Hannah Hampton 22 2 0 Aston Villa
DEF Lucy Bronze 31 104 12 Barcelona
DEF Alex Greenwood 29 74 5 Man City
DEF Millie Bright 29 66 5 Chelsea
DEF Jess Carter 25 17 1 Chelsea
DEF Lotte Wubben-Moy 24 10 0 Arsenal
DEF Niamh Charles 23 6 0 Chelsea
DEF Esme Morgan 22 4 0 Man City
MID Jordan Nobbs 30 71 8 Aston Villa
MID Keira Walsh 26 58 0 Barcelona
MID Georgia Stanway 24 49 15 Bayern Munich
MID Ella Toone 23 31 16 Man United
MID Katie Zelem 27 7 0 Man United
MID Laura Coombs 32 4 0 Man City
FWD Rachel Daly 31 68 13 Aston Villa
FWD Lauren Hemp 22 37 10 Man City
FWD Chloe Kelly 25 25 6 Man City
FWD Bethany England 29 21 11 Tottenham
FWD Alessia Russo 24 21 11 Man United
FWD Lauren James 21 10 1 Chelsea
FWD Katie Robinson 20 4 0 Brighton & Hove Albion

England's World Cup injuries

Ahead of confirming her squad, Wiegman confirmed captain Leah Williamson and key forward Fran Kirby would both miss the World Cup, with the duo undergoing surgery on knee injuries.

Beth Mead's fitness chances were always rated as doubtful, as she joined Williamson on a growing list of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sufferers this season, and the Arsenal forward was eventually ruled out

Fran Kirby

Kirby played a crucial role for England at Euro 2022, alongside Mead, as England finally sealed a major title.

Chelsea initially implemented a programme of rehabilitation and platelet-rich plasma injections, to try and aid recovery, but after missing the FA Cup final and the Champions League semifinals, the Blues made the decision to opt for surgery.

Leah Williamson

Williamson's case was more straightforward than Kirby or Mead, after the England skipper suffered an ACL rupture in Arsenal's 1-0 WSL loss to Manchester United in April.

Her role as captain has been a crucial aspect of Wiegman's tenure, and her absence will be sorely felt both on the pitch, and in the squad's build up.

Beth Mead

Mead was sensational for England at Euro 2022, scooping the double award of Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament, before suffering a similar injury to Williamson in November 2022.

Despite stating she was 'ahead of schedule' in her rehabilitation, including light training at Arsenal, her claim of the World Cup being 'a little bit too soon for me' was proven accurate.

England's projected World Cup starting XI

Injuries have been the big news around Wiegman's squad announcement, with a number of players not in a position to challenge for a potential European and World Cup double this summer.

However, the evolution of her team has helped ease these setbacks, and England will also have exciting options from the bench.

England's projected World Cup starting line up (4-3-3): Earps (GK) — Bronze, Bright, Greenwood, Carter — Stanway, Walsh, Toone — James, Russo, Hemp

Feargal Brennan

Feargal Brennan Photo

Feargal is a content producer for The Sporting News. He has been working with TSN since the start of 2022 after stints with Reach, Amazon UK and Squawka in a nomadic career in the football media pyramid. Always with a keen eye on Arteta's 'Reds' and Kenny's Ireland 'Greens' and a 100% five-a-side penalty record.