England World Cup squad: Full press conference and updates: LIVE!
The Dutch manager unveiled her selection on Wednesday, 50 days before the World Cup kicks off on July 20. There is a return for striker Bethany England while defender Millie Bright is included despite a recent injury.
The Lionesses, who won bronze in 2015 and were fourth four years ago in France, begin their World Cup campaign on July 22 against Haiti in Brisbane. They also have Denmark and China in Group D.
The European champions have been rocked by a number of serious injuries, sidelining captain Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Fran Kirby among others and creating significant selection dilemmas for Wiegman.
Bethany England has been included in Sarina Wiegman’s England squad for this summer’s World Cup, while Beth Mead misses out.
Striker England, who has not been involved for her country since last September, is recalled after scoring 12 Women’s Super League goals for Tottenham since joining them from Chelsea in January.
But there is no return for Euro 2022 Golden Boot winner and player of the tournament Mead, having lost her battle against time after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury in November.
Millie Bright and Lucy Bronze, also sidelined of late, do feature in a 23-player list from which skipper Leah Williamson and Fran Kirby had already been ruled out due to injury.
Jordan Nobbs is included as well, despite sustaining an injury in Aston Villa’s penultimate game of the season, Katie Zelem has been brought back after not making the last squad in April and there is no recall for Williamson’s predecessor as captain Steph Houghton.
Jess Park, Maya Le Tissier and Emily Ramsey have been named on standby.
Wiegman’s European champions get their campaign at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand under way by facing Haiti in Brisbane on July 22 and will also take on Denmark and China in Group D.
Live updates
Sarina Wiegman speaks
“The last week was a little stressful we had to make hard decision, it’s nice for the ones that are in and not nice for those who aren’t.
“Lucy Bronze is fit and is fully in training, Millie Bright is in a good place and positive she is still building but it looks good.”
Millie Bright’s reaction
Standby list
Ramsey
Park
Le Tissier
Millie Bright makes it!
Brilliant news for the Chelsea defender who, at one point, looked destined to miss out.
No place for Beth Mead
Arsenal forward Beth Mead has been left out of England’s World Cup squad after failing to get fit in time.
Mead injured her knee in November of last year and always faced a fight to be fit for this summer’s tournament in Australia and New Zealand after undergoing surgery.
England boss Sarina Wiegman said in March that Mead needed a “miracle” to be fit for the World Cup and she has been left out of the squad.
Latest World Cup odds
Betfair: 2023 Women’s World Cup winner
USA: 11/4
England: 10/3
Spain: 6/1
Germany: 13/2
France: 10/1
Australia: 13/1
Sweden: 16/1
Netherlands: 19/1
Brazil: 22/1
Canada: 30/1
Japan: 33/1
Italy, Norway: 50/1
South Korea: 66/1
Denmark, Portugal: 80/1
China, Republic of Ireland: 100/1
Colombia, Switzerland: 200/1
Philippines, Vietnam, Panama, Zambia, Costa Rica, South Africa, Argentina, Morocco, Jamaica, Nigeria, Haiti: 500/1
No place for Steph Houghton
There was also no place for former Lionesses captain Steph Houghton. The 35-year-old has not played for England since 2021, but was tipped for a possible recall due to current skipper Leah Williamson being out with a knee injury.
England squad in full
Goalkeepers: Earps, Hampton, Roebuck
Defenders: Bright, Bronze, Carter, Charles, Greenwood, Morgan, Wubben-Moy
Midfielders: Coombs, Nobbs, Stanway, Toone, Walsh, Zelem
Forwards: Daly, England, Hemp, James, Kelly, Robinson, Russo
Here we go!
Wiegman will name her squad any minute now!