Sarina Wiegman has named a 23-player squad for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 qualifiers against Austria and Luxembourg via an official press release this morning.
Chloe Kelly, who scored the winning goal against Germany in the final of Euro 2022, will miss the fixtures due to a leg injury. Fran Kirby will also not be involved due to a foot complaint, while Jill Scott and Ellen White have both retired from football for club and country.
The Lionesses need just a very crucial point against Austria in Wiener Neustadt on September 3 to secure their spot at next year’s tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
If England lose to Austria, victory against Luxembourg at the home on September 6 will secure qualification. Lionesses of England have won all eight of their qualifiers so far, not forgetting a 10-0 victory against Luxemburg last September.
Arsenal midfielder Jordan Nobbs has returned to the squad following an injury, while Man United skipper Katie Zelem has also made the cut. Chelsea forward Lauren James, who is the sister of men’s star Reece James, is in line to make her senior debut.
The other two new faces in the squad are Ebony Salmon and goalkeeper Sandy MacIver. Both players have one senior team cap to their name after making their debuts in a friendly match against Northern Ireland in February 2021.
After announcing her latest squad, Lionesses of England gaffer Wiegman said:
“It only feels like yesterday since we were celebrating at Wembley, but we have to get straight back to business. We have a big target in front of us this month to book our place at the World Cup, and we have to set aside our amazing memories of this summer for the moment. We have lost four players in midfield and forward positions so I am pleased we can turn to experience in Katie and Jordan along with two for the future in Lauren and Ebony.
It’s important to give opportunities to our promising younger players in this environment, and for them to experience what is expected in the senior set-up both on and off the pitch. This includes Sandy MacIver who just missed out on the EUROs.”
Sarina Wiegman
Lionesses of England squad for crucial World Cup qualifiers:
Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal), Leah Williamson (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Manchester City), Katie Zelem (Manchester United)
Forwards: Bethany England (Chelsea), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Manchester United), Alessia Russo (Manchester United), Ebony Salmon (Houston Dash)
What Next:
The team will begin their camp at St. George’s Park on 28 August 2022. having spent a successful month at the national football centre in preparation for the EURO in June.
The Lionesses of England will then travel to Austria on Friday, 2, with kick-off at 4.30 pm the following day. After the match, the squad will return to St. George’s Park on Sunday, 4 September, to prepare for the Luxembourg game at home in Stoke.
