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      Inside the Lionesses’ bizarre superstition that helped them win Euro 2022 as they now target World Cup 2023 glory

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      BEHIND every successful team is a great manager, a flawless philosophy and a relentless work ethic.There is also the odd superstition.
      England won Euro 2022 at Wembley last summerCredit: Getty
      The Lionesses are now hoping to replicate that success at the World CupCredit: PA
      England had all of the above when they stormed to European Championship glory last summer.
      Sarina Wiegman united a squad, and that squad gradually united a nation when the Lionesses edged through each round of Euro 2022, first defeating Austria, Norway and Northern Ireland in the group stages before seeing off Spain in the quarter-finals and Sweden in the semi-finals.
      They then capped off an unforgettable month with a 2-1 win over bitter rivals Germany in the final, thanks to goals from Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly.
      But after lifting that glorious glass trophy under the iconic Wembley arch – and basking in the celebrations – attention quickly turned to the next big challenge – the World Cup.
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      A year has since passed and the Lionesses are now preparing to do it all over again, this time in Australia and New Zealand.
      But while the team looks slightly different – with Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Fran Kirby absent due to injury – Wiegman and her squad are approaching this year’s World Cup with a similar mindset.

      They are even prepared to replicate one key superstition that helped them to victory last summer.
      England midfielder Georgia Stanway has revealed that it became a tradition for all players to NOT pack their suitcases during the Euros, even when they had to leave their base hotel.
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      The 24-year-old told FourFourTwo magazine: “That was something we really enjoyed doing: not packing our suitcases, leaving our stuff exactly where it was.
      “It was never really spoken about, but for every matchday minus one, we would travel to a different hotel, and it became tradition to leave everything unpacked at our base hotel.
      “It was where all of our clothes were and where everything was unpacked.
      “We had made the rooms our own and made it the Lionesses’ hotel, and there was always a bit of: ‘Are we taking our bags?’
      “But it became normal to leave them because we knew we were coming back.
      “That meant we were coming back for the final.”
      AUSSIE BASE
      England are based at the Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific Hotel for the World Cup, a four-star complex on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia.
      The Lionesses took a 90-minute flight to Brisbane from their base camp on Sunday ahead of their opening match against Haiti on Thursday.
      After the match, they will return to their base hotel for their second group game against Denmark.
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      The England team will then fly another two hours to Adelaide, where they will take on China.
      Fully expect their bags at base camp to remain unpacked throughout – and hopefully up until the final on August 20.
      Hannah Hampton  with her bag packedCredit: PA
      The team left their camp in Windsor before flying to AustraliaCredit: PA
      Stanway has revealed that it became tradition for the Lionesses not to pack their suitcases during Euro 2022Credit: Getty More

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      Lionesses winning Euros last summer was wonderful – here’s three reasons why we should roar them on again at World Cup

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      IF I tell you I have a hunch about a sporting event, then have a hunch of your own that the opposite will happen. I have a terrible track record with these things.But last year I got something right.
      Alessia Russo’s stunning surprise backheel against Sweden in the semi-finalCredit: Getty
      Ace Chloe Kelly celebrates her winnerCredit: PA
      The Lionesses gatecrash the press conference and partyCredit: Getty
      I wrote in The Sun that England’s women would win the Euros.
      And they did. Thrillingly, miraculously, brilliantly, inspiringly . . . they only went and did it.
      There were a trio of Three Lionesses moments which are right up there with anything our men have done. Moments which changed everything.
      Oh the joy of Russo’s backheel in the semi-final.
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      Very occasionally a player will do something which no one sees coming. They sell a dummy which everyone buys.
      Their teammates, their opponents, the commentators, the cameras, the crowd and the TV audience all look for the ball to go one way, but it goes ­somewhere else.
      No matter how many times you watch it back, Alessia Russo’s backheel takes you by surprise.
      This was the moment even the most cynical, not-for-me women’s football refusenik went “Oof! Wow! OK.”
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      Then there was Chloe Kelly’s winner in the final. By then we were so into it.
      Earlier, as we became true believers, it dawned on us that while everything was different, it could all yet turn out the same.
      Same old England, sure to lose in the end, to Germany, inevitably.
      But no! Into the net went the ball and over her head came Chloe’s shirt. Iconic.
      This was the moment we knew the Lionesses were different.
      They were winners. And we all felt like winners too.
      And then there was the invasion of the press ­conference.
      The all-singing, all-dancing, conga of ­mischief and joy.
      This was the moment we were reminded that, at its great beating heart, football is actually about, you know, having fun.
      Total ­uninhibited happiness.
      Great, great times.
      And this week we go again.
      Conga of ­mischief and joy
      It’s going to be harder this time.
      Not just because it’s the World Cup, nor because it’s happening a world away in a land down under.
      No, it’s because now England expects.
      Success creates its own pressure.
      And this means they need us to get behind them more than ever before.
      They gave us something wonderful last summer and now, in a sense, we need to give them something back.
      Someone once said that success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan.
      True that. We need to demonstrate that we’ve not been fairweather friends to our Lionesses.
      We need to be with them all the way.
      We can’t bide our time and wait for a moment of glory to be within our grasp.
      They need us right behind them from the off. They need us now.
      Shirt-shedding
      And it’s not just about the World Cup either.
      Last week Karen Carney, former Lioness midfielder and chair of a major review into the women’s game, published her report.
      It’s not a back-patting, look-how-far-we’ve-come exercise.
      It’s much more important than that.
      Her call is for the top two tiers of women’s football to be made fully professional; for a new regular broadcast slot on television; for better investment, better facilities, higher standards all around.
      This isn’t romantic stuff about backheels, shirt-shedding or crazy congas.
      This is the gritty, tricky, challenging stuff needing to be done to get more girls playing, and more women winning, in the environments they’ve earned the right to enjoy.
      There’s 126 pages to this report, and it’s well worth a read, but Karen sums it up rather neatly for us in just a few words.
      “Nothing can take away from our great achievements,” she says.
      “But it is like Instagram vs reality, and the latter is worrying and we need to address it.”
      She’s right. The Instagram posts tell a story of shiny new success with money to match.
      The reality is huge areas of the women’s game underfunded and underloved. The poor relation.
      The seeds of failure are often sown in times of success.
      Power is in our hands
      It would be all too easy for us to say, “Oh yeah, women’s football. Love it! I get it! We’re brilliant! Job done!”
      Never mind the facilities, let’s just admire that backheel again.
      Even if the Lionesses win the World Cup and conga all the way home with the trophy, the gap between Instagram and reality won’t be closed.
      If anything, it will be wider. The ­Instagrams will look even glossier, and the reality will change barely a jot.
      A massive opportunity could go ­begging, and that would be a dreadful thing.
      So what, you might ask, can we, the fans, do to close Karen’s Instagram vs reality gap?
      Well, much of it, to do with finance and administration and business planning, we have no direct control of.
      But the power is still in our hands.
      Because if we carry on seeing the power and potential of the women’s game, and stick with it, and demand ­better, all the good stuff will follow.
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      More than ever before, at this World Cup and way beyond, everyone from the Lionesses to the little girl in the park wanting a kickabout, need our backing.
      Let’s do this. More

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      Ella Toone opens up on ‘finding herself’ and shares childhood dream of scoring for England in the World Cup

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      ELLA TOONE is loving life in Australia having “found herself” Down Under ahead of England revving up for the World Cup.The forward, 23, whose stunning chip helped the Lionesses triumph at last year’s Euros, sees herself as a player who goes at a “hundred miles an hour”.
      Ella Toone says she feels like a changed woman ahead of the start of England’s campaign to win the World CupCredit: Getty
      The Lioness forward could be set to play in a World Cup tournament for the first time in her careerCredit: Getty
      Toone says she learnt about herself during England’s Euros-winning run last summerCredit: Getty
      But since arriving at England’s camp Toone, who has 32 senior caps, has enjoyed finding ways to balance intense training with switching off mentally from football.
      The Manchester United and Lioness ace said: “I’ve really found myself here. I never normally wake up early as I’m a proper sleeper.
      “But I woke up early the other day – six o’clock – I went and saw the sunrise.
      “I absolutely love walking along the beach and the other day I went into the sea.
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      “Luckily the girls got me some goggles as I can’t go in with my eyelashes (on). 
      “I was under the waves every day and I thought ‘wow this is me’. 
      “Going in the sea has definitely really made me a changed woman.”
      Like her team-mates Toone has been finding ways to make the most of her downtime away from preparation for England’s Group D opener against Haiti in five days’ time.
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      The Wigan-born Lioness, who has netted 16 goals since her senior international debut in September 2020, enjoys reading autobiographies in her spare time.  
      She adds: “I don’t actually read novels, just autobiographies. I’m reading Jamie Vardy’s autobiography at the minute. 
      “I always say it (that I’m going to) but now I’ve actually started (to take up) reading more often so that’s nice.”
      Last summer saw Toone play in a major tournament for the first time in a senior career which began with a two-year spell at Blackburn Rovers in 2015 before moves to Man City and Man United.
      The WSL star was among nine aces taking part in their first major international contest for the Lionesses.
      Her goal-scoring display at last year’s Euros final at Wembley saw her evolve from a promising England talent to a tournament-winning performer.
      Toone opened the scoring against finalists Germany in front of a record crowd a Wembley with a lofted second-half strike.
      And the forward is eager to help England’s new major contest debutants with six included in head coach Wiegman’s squad.
      Toone adds: “Going into this tournament off the back of my first major tournament with England, I’ve just got more experience now.
      “I learned so much about myself at the Euros.
      “I’ve come into this having a bit more experience and just trying to offer others that experience.
      “I think I’ve come into this tournament the same as (I did) at the Euros.
      “That’s giving my best, enjoying every moment and making sure that I work hard in training.
      “I want to give everything I can every time I put the shirt on for England.”
      England’s clash with Haiti could see Toone make her World Cup debut for her national side.
      The match at Brisbane Stadium will kick off at 10:30 am UK time this Saturday (July 22).
      And Sarina Wiegman’s team have been a bit goal shy of late having gone scoreless in the last three games. 
      Having Toone is confident the team will find their shooting boots and hopes to achieve her dream of scoring in the tournament.
      She adds: “We’re very confident and we know we’ve got a lot of goal scorers in the group so we’re definitely creating those chances. 
      “It’s now about making sure we put them in the back of the net.
      Toone and her team-mates hope to pick up their first win since beating Brazil in the Women’s Finalissima in MarchCredit: Getty
      “I manifest a lot of things before I play games. Half of them never happen but I’m having fun in my brain. 
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      “I’ve dreamt about scoring a goal in the World Cup since I was a little girl and I’ve dreamt about scoring at this one.  
      “As for the celebrations (side of things) I have absolutely no idea (what I’ll do).” More

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      ‘I hope more women start to coach’, says Lionesses chief Sarina Wiegman as she reflects on her managerial journey

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      SARINA WIEGMAN never dreamed the Women’s World Cup would become a showpiece event after playing in an experimental version. The experience set the England boss, 53, on a journey that now sees her aiming to lead the Lionesses to glory in this summer’s contest.
      Sarina Wiegman’s England will be begin their campaign to win the World Cup when they take on Haiti in Brisbane, Australia on July 22Credit: Getty
      The two-time Euros-winning boss has been reflecting on her journey in the game including playing in a Women’s World Cup test tournament in China in her teensCredit: Getty
      In 1988, an 18-year-old Wiegman was part of a Dutch women’s side that battled in a 12-team test event in China during a heatwave.
      That competition was a far cry from the 32-team spectacle kicking off in Australia and New Zealand on July 20.
      Back then some national players having to cover the cost of their flights and equipment.
      Wiegman, whose Lionesses will play Haiti in their group stage opener next Saturday, said: “That experience taught me ‘this is what I want’.  

      “As the Netherlands we weren’t great (at the time), but when we got into the tournament we actually did really well.
      “I think at that point we could have beaten Brazil, and I thought ‘this is what I want to do’, but there weren’t very many opportunities then.
      “I just really loved that tournament, I will never forget it.”
      Born in the Hague,  Wiegman, who is a mother-of-two, recalls growing up in an era where there was “nothing for women in football”.
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      Despite this challenge her parents supported her enthusiasm for the game.
      Fourteen years before Wiegman’s birth Dutch Ladies Soccer sides were banned from playing on fields belonging to men’s clubs linked with the Netherlands FA.   
      She adds: “When I was six years old or five years old, girls were not allowed to play football, but I just liked it.
      “My parents never made any (fuss), they just said ‘if you want to play football, you’re going to play’.
      “I knew in elementary school that I wanted to be a PE teacher. I just wanted to be involved in sports.
      “I didn’t even know I could be a coach because there was nothing for women in football.
      “I couldn’t see it so I didn’t think it was an opportunity.”
      It was at Fifa’s invitational contest in 1988 where Wiegman met Anson Dorrance, the trailblazing coach of North Carolina Tar Heels.
      The US college side are famous for nurturing elite players including England trio Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo and Lotte Wubben-Moy.
      Wiegman, who led the Netherlands to the Women’s World Cup final four years ago, wants to see more women coaching at football’s highest levelsCredit: Getty
      Wiegman spent 1989 playing for Tar Heels under Dorrance who went on to guide the USA to their first Women’s World Cup win in 1991.
      She said: “In the Netherlands (at the time), we (female players) were not accepted.
      “I’d heard in the US that it was a sport that was accepted, and that the level was high.
      “I thought (to myself) ‘that’s where I want to be’.
      Following a 16-year playing career including two top-tier titles wins with Dutch side Ter Leede, Wiegman entered management in 2006.
      From doing my job I hope more women come into football. I want more females to start to coach.Sarina Wiegman
      She made history guiding the Netherlands to Euros glory in 2017 before doing the same with England last summer.
      A Women’s World Cup win has so far eluded Wiegman.
      She and the Netherlands endured heartbreak in four years ago when they were beaten in the final in France by the USA.
      That result has made her even more determined to win this year’s contest with her Lionesses.
      She adds: “I always want to win, we want to be the best.
      “We have so many talented players in the team and my job is to get clarity on how we play together.”
      Wiegman’s World Cup quest comes in the month Hannah Dingley made history by becoming the first female manager of an English Football League club.
      And she hopes to see more women becoming coaches.
      The England gaffer adds: “From doing my job I hope more women come into football.
      “I hope more females start to coach or take the next step and go to the highest level.
      “If I can push (this) a little more doing extra things, then I will.”
      The next few weeks will see the Lionesses face their biggest challenge to date under their boss just a year on from lifting a Euros trophy at Wembley.
      While the Lionesses’ success on the field made Wiegman proud, she takes even more pride in her players campaign.
      Wiegman says the social consciousness of England’s players makes her proudCredit: PA
      In particular England lobbying politicians to introduce equal access to football for girls in schools.
      The head coach said: “I’m incredibly proud of their social consciousness. 
      “They really want to have a positive impact on society and a positive change.
      “Now what we try to do is keep performing, keep being visible and keep using our voices to also sustain and make positive changes.”
      While there has been much change in the Women’s World Cup since the Fifa test tournament three decades ago, Wiegman acknowledges there is still much to do. 
      Squad pay, poor training facilities and lack of financial support for teams were among the concerns flagged by scores of players competing in this summer’s contest. 
      The Lionesses drew 0-0 with Canada in a practice game eight days before their World Cup Group D opening match against Haiti on July 22Credit: PA
      They includes WSL stars competing for sides such as Jamaica and Canada. 
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      Of the World Cup’s evolution she added: “Twenty years ago I would not have expected to be in this situation or women’s football would be where  it is now.
      “I’m grateful things have changed, but there’s still a long way to go.” More

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      I used to do shifts pulling pints in a country pub to pay for football boots.. now I’m an Arsenal and England star

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      BEFORE she cemented her status as an England legend, Lioness Beth Mead pulled pints at her local pub so that she could buy some football boots.The 28-year-old wrote her name in the history books last summer when she led England to Euro 2022 glory, picking up the Golden Boot and the Player of the Tournament award in the process.
      Before she became a professional footballer, Beth Mead worked in her local pubCredit: Getty
      The 28-year-old led England to Euro 2022 glory last summerCredit: PA
      She won the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament awardCredit: PA
      But before she became a national hero, Mead worked a part-time job at the Fox and Hounds pub in Staithes, near Whitby.
      Last year, she told ITV: “I used to work Friday, Saturday. Sunday was double time behind the bar.
      “I was a waitress part time just to afford the boots.
      “I enjoyed working there and I got my boots in the end.”
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      Mead kicked off her career at Sunderland in 2011 and quickly became one of the club’s best players.
      She joined Arsenal in 2017 and has been with the Gunners ever since.
      Over the past year, Mead has enjoyed the highest of highs, but she has also endured awful lows.
      The winger was named BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year in December following England’s historic European Championship victory.
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      She was also the 2022 Ballon d’Or runner-up.
      However, in January, Mead’s mother, June, tragically passed away following a battle with ovarian cancer.
      Speaking to The Guardian last month, Mead said: “When my mum was still alive, I had very bad moments of wanting to give up football and she picked me up and made me go on.
      “Obviously I lost that person, but then I had such an amazing group of people, friends, teammates, family around me that helped me get through.”
      Unfortunately, the winger is set to miss this year’s Women’s World Cup due to an ACL injury.
      She suffered the setback during a match against Manchester United in November last year, and although she has returned to light training, she was not deemed fit enough by Sarina Wiegman in May.
      Mead signed with Arsenal in 2017Credit: Getty
      Mead was named BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year in DecemberCredit: PA More

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      England Lionesses hero Chloe Kelly goes topless and strips to undies as she teams up with USA star for Calvin Klein ad

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      LIONESS Chloe Kelly has stripped down to her underwear alongside her fellow World Cup stars for a stunning photoshoot ahead of the tournament. The Manchester City forward, 25, was England’s heroine during last year’s Women’s Euros when she scored a last-minute goal in extra-time against Germany to win the competition.
      Chloe Kelly features in the advertising campaign for Calvin Klein
      She could be seen posing for the camera
      The campaign comes just before the Women’s World Cup is due to begin
      The Lionesses star is part of the England squad for the upcoming tournament
      Chloe posed with her top off as part of the photoshoot
      USA National Team star Alex Morgan also joined in the campaign
      She posed in her underwear for the empowering shoot
      Alex plays for San Diego Wave in the States, but spent a season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur in 2020
      Alex modelled in a denim jacket for one of her photos
      Chloe is now appearing in new campaign for clothing brand Calvin Klein ahead of the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this summer.
      The WSL star follows a whole host of famous male footballers who have posed for underwear brands before, including David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Freddie Ljungberg.
      Chloe features alongside USA and San Diego Wave star Alex Morgan in the ad in which both strip down to their underwear.
      Other huge names in women’s football including Manchester City and Australia forward Mary Fowler and Japan and former Arsenal star Mana Iwabuchi also feature in the shoot.
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      The campaign was shot by New York-based photographer Brianna Capozzi, and represents athleticism, strength and vulnerability.
      A whole host of male footballers have pose for underwear brands before, including fellow England star David Beckham
      Cristiano Ronaldo has posed for his own underwear brand
      PSG megastar Neymar has also stripped off for shoots
      Chloe can be seen in her pictures posing for the camera in an array of different outfits.
      She even appears topless with her back facing the camera in one image as she sports some Calvin Klein jeans on her bottom half.
      The Women’s World Cup is due to begin on July 20 when New Zealand host Norway to kick off the competition.
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      Chloe has been selected as part of Serena Wiegman’s 23-player England squad, who play their first game against Haiti on July 22.
      The Lionesses will be hoping to repeat their success in the Euros last year after they won the trophy at Wembley in front of a home crowd to end 56 years of hurt for England.
      Former Arsenal and Tottenham star Mana Iwabuchi also appeared in the campaign
      WSL newcomer Mary Fowler was part of the shoot too More

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      ‘I’m playing with a smile on my face. A lot has changed for me since the Euros’, says England striker Rachel Daly

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      RACHEL DALY believes she is in the form of her career following a storming first season at Aston Villa before the World Cup. And the WSL’s Golden Boot winner is in “a better place mentally” following her move home after a decade playing in the USA.
      Rachel Daly hopes to replicate the form that won her the WSL’s Golden Boot when England compete in the World CupCredit: Reuters
      Daly has been included as one of seven forwards in Sarina Wiegman’s 23-strong Lionesses squadCredit: Alamy
      Daly netted 22 goals in 22 games for Aston Villa in the WSL last seasonCredit: Getty
      Daly was speaking on the first day of England’s training camp at St George’s Park a month before the start of their push for World Cup glory in Australia.
      The Leeds-born striker, previously deployed as a full-back by England boss Sarina Wiegman, has been on fire in front of goal. 
      Her form for Carla Ward’s Villa saw the team finish fifth in the Women’s Super League  with Daly bagging 22 goals in 22 games.  
      She said: “A lot has changed for me personally since the last tournament (the Euros.)
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      “I’ve moved home and I’ve been away for 10 years so I think mentally I’m in a way better place.
      “I needed to be home and playing in this league (the WSL) was something that I wanted to do and revisit again.”  
      The Lionesses’ will face Haiti in their Group D opener which comes just under a year after Daly’s Villa move following six seasons with Houston Dash. 
      In 2013 she swapped her career in England for a fresh challenge in the United States joining Los Angeles Strikers from Lincoln Ladies.  
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      She would go on to sign for Houston in 2016 captaining the team to their first trophy win when they lifted the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup.
      Daly’s Villa transfer last August following England’s Euros triumph proved to be a shrewd move for the WSL star
      Last season she scored 30 goals across all competitions last year with Villa achieving their highest ever finish in the top tier.
      Her ruthless form has seen her included as a forward in Wiegman’s squad a year on from playing as a full-back at the Euros.
      She adds: “I think you can all tell that I’m playing with a smile on my face and enjoying my football and long may that continue.
      “It’s been a good year for me, I can put it down to my happiness, the way  Carla (Ward) has given me freedom at the club to play my own sort of game. 
      “The team around me has been brilliant as has Sarina (Wiegman) at international level.
      “I’d probably say it’s the best season I’ve had in my career.
      Alessia Russo and Bethany England will be Daly’s main rivals for a number nine starting spot.
      Like Daly, both have been in fine form at club level with England racking up 12 goals in 12 games for Tottenham.
      Daly insists the competition for the Lionesses number nine spot is healthy between herself, Bethany England and Alessia RussoCredit: Getty
      Daly added: “The good thing is that we all push each other. It’s a completely healthy competition.
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      “There’s no ‘I’m the best’ we’re all great friends. We’re pushing each other, we’ll continue to push each other. 
      “I’ve got their back, they’ve got my back, it’s a really nice place to be.” More

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      England name Women’s World Cup squad as several stars left out by Sarina Wiegman including Euro 2022 hero

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      ENGLAND manager Sarina Wiegman has named her 23-woman squad for this year’s World Cup.Wiegman has made seven changes to last year’s European Championship winning squad.
      Wiegman has named her 23-woman squad for the Women’s World CupCredit: PA
      Daly has been named as an attacker following her prolific season with Aston VillaCredit: Getty
      Man Utd favourites Russo and Toone have been includedCredit: Getty
      The 2023 Women’s World Cup – which will take place in Australia and New Zealand – is set to kick off on July 20.
      England’s first match, against Haiti, is scheduled for July 22.
      The Lionesses are also set to face China and Denmark in the group stages.
      Mary Earps, Hannah Hampton and Ellie Roebuck remain the 53-year-old’s preferred goalkeepers.
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      Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Alex Greenwood, Millie Bright and Lotte Wubben-Moy keep their respective places along with midfielders Kiera Walsh, Ella Toone and Georgia Stanway.
      England’s attacking options include; Bethany England, Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo and Rachel Daly – who claimed the WSL Golden Boot award at the weekend.
      Daly, who started all six of England’s Euro 2022 games as a left-back, signed for Aston Villa last summer and enjoyed an impressive 2022-23 campaign in the No.9 role, scoring 22 times and equalling Vivianne Miedema’s record for the most goals scored in a single WSL season.
      Lauren James is set to make her first appearance at a major tournament following her successful season with Chelsea, as is Esme Morgan, Niamh Charles, Katie Zelem, Laura Coombs and Katie Robinson.
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      Williamson misses out due to an ACL injuryCredit: Reuters
      Mead is also unavailable as she continues to recover from her ACL injuryCredit: Getty
      Jordan Nobbs returns to the squad after missing out on Euro 2022 due to a knee injury.
      England captain Leah Williamson was ruled out of the tournament in April after sustaining a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
      She is set to pass the captain’s armband to vice skipper Bright.
      Beth Mead – Euro 2022 Golden Boot winner and Player of the Tournament – has also missed out on a spot in the squad due to an ACL injury she sustained in November.
      Earlier this month, the 28-year-old revealed that she was hopeful of earning a place in the squad despite missing a large chunk of the season.
      She told Sky Sports: “The injury’s okay, I’m a good five months in and back on the pitch and kicking a ball again, feeling good, ahead of schedule. That’s all I can do that’s in my control right now.
      “I wouldn’t say I’m confident [of going to the World Cup] because it’s out of my control, but I’m working hard to get as close to it as possible – but at the end of the day, it’s probably going to be Sarina’s decision.”
      However, Wiegman believes the tournament comes too soon for the Arsenal star.
      Chelsea midfielder Fran Kirby is also set to miss out on the tournament.
      The 29-year-old was ruled out for a “significant” period earlier this month after it was revealed that she required knee surgery.
      When naming her chosen squad, Wieman said: “I have huge belief in this squad and we’re very fortunate to be selecting a fantastic group of players to travel to Australia.
      “We know we will face tough challenges from strong teams, and we will have to be competitive from the first match on 22 July. We will doeverything to be at our very best again this summer.
      “It is important the players get some well-deserved time to rest and recover over the next few weeks before we start the final preparations to get them ready.
      “We learned a lot of positive lessons about how to get the players fit, fresh and ready from the EURO last summer and we know what we have to do to make sure we hit the ground running in the right way when the tournament starts.”
      Steph Houghton, Maya Le Tissier and Nikita Parris narrowly miss out on a spot in the squad.
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      Le Tissier has been named on the standby list along with Jess Park and goalkeeper Emily Ramsey.
      Wiegman added: “It is always tough to leave some players out of the squad, but they know they could still be needed if we have any issues before we start the tournament. I am very happy that we have such a professional group.” More