Women’s World Cup 2019

ADA HEGERBERG ended her five-year absence from international football with the announcement of her return to action for Norway.The forward, 26, who is the first ever Women’s Ballon d’Or winner, has been included in the squad for her nation’s World Cup qualifiers in April.
Ada Hegerberg could be set to play for Norway in their World Cup qualifiers against Kosovo and PolandCredit: AFP
And she could be set to feature for her national side at the Euros in England this summer, according to The Athletic.
Hegerberg put the brakes on her Norway career back in 2017 following a dispute with her country’s football chiefs concerning the treatment of the women’s game in the nation.
In an interview at the time with Norwegian news outlet Morgenbladet, the striker recalled feeling “broken mentally” following the spat.
And she did not feature in the squad that was knocked out of the 2019 World Cup by England following a 3-0 quarter-final loss.
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Earlier today Hegerberg, who has scored 38 goals in 66 international appearances, was named in Martin Sjogren’s 23-strong squad.
The team will play Kosovo on April 7 followed by Poland on April 23.
In a video message the Lyon ace said: “It feels incredibly good to be back.
“I will do my part to help us achieve great things, both on and off the field – for football, for Norway, but not least for the next generation.”
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Head coach Sjogren added: “We have talked about how we see the future together, and not what has happened in the past.
“It was mostly to do with Ada’s role and how we can make the team even better. The conversations have been very good.”
Hegerberg, who scored 152 times in 133 Lyon appearances, is regarded as one of the finest strikers of her generation.
The announcement of her return to international football comes five months after her comeback for Lyon following a lengthy spell out with an ACL rupture.
Hegerberg could be part of Norway’s Euros squad with the team set to compete in the tournament in JulyCredit: Getty – Contributor
The forward damaged her anterior cruciate ligament back in January 2020 ahead of Lyon’s clash with Stade de Reims.
And she returned to action for the French giants in the second half of their 3-0 Champions League group stage defeat of BK Hacken last October. More

LEAH WILLIAMSON is relishing the challenge of being England’s midfield enforcer after impressing in their 8-0 drubbing of North Macedonia.  And the stand-in Lionesses skipper hailed Rachel Daly for bravely turning out for the team days after the passing of her father Martyn. 
Leah Williamson is enjoying the new challenge of being England’s midfield enforcerCredit: Rex
Williamson says the Lionesses’ 8-0 win against North Macedonia was dedicated to Rachel Daly and her dadCredit: Getty
Daly’s dad, who publicly celebrated his daughter’s performances for club and country, is held in high regard by the Houston Dash star’s national team-mates.
Williamson, 24, said: “For Rachel to be able to come into this environment in such a tough time in her life, shows that we have a good group here. 
“And the fact that she felt safe to come to us and to spend time with us, and everybody has been great rallying around her. 
“It’s probably the toughest time that she’ll ever go through so 100% the win on Friday (against North Macedonia) was dedicated to Rachel and Rachel’s dad. 
“And we’ll continue to support her with whatever she needs.”
Williamson, who was given skipper’s armband after Steph Houghton’s withdrawal with an ankle injury, could be in line to lead England against Luxembourg on Tuesday. 

The Lionesses head into their second World Cup qualifier under Sarina Wiegman at the top of their group on goal difference.  
Austria and Northern Ireland are currently second and third following their hefty wins against Latvia and Luxembourg. 
England’s next game could see Williamson return to the advanced role that saw her deliver a pinpoint pass to Ella Toone for the Lionesses’ opener against North Macedonia. 
The Gunners centre-back, who captained Arsenal earlier this year, sees her midfield move as a fresh challenge and welcomes the chance to have more responsibility on the pitch. 
I was so stressed about becoming the person I wanted to be at the end of my journey and maybe not enjoying the road so muchLeah Williamson
Williamson added: “You’re a lot more involved in the game (at defensive centre-mid) and I just tried to be present.
“I tried to make myself known defensively and on the ball as well, so I always enjoy when I go in there because it’s a new challenge.
“But not taking away from the difference that it is to centre-half, so it takes some time to adjust, but it was an OK day and I worked hard, so I hope that showed.
The Lionesses will take on Luxembourg away in the second of their Women’s World Cup qualifying gamesCredit: Rex
“I think what I’ve learnt over the last three years, especially since the (2019) World Cup in France, is I needed to become reliable and just take some responsibility.
“I think I was capable of doing it so I needed to make sure I proved that to other people and be what the team needs me to be.”
Williamson, who grew up in Milton Keynes, has in the past spoken of her tough introduction to the game during childhood.
The WSL star was the only girl on an all-boys team in Bletchley.
And the Gunners centre-back admitted to having to wear a gumshield during some of her games as “everyone wanted to kick lumps” out of her. 
Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman wants England to be more clinical with their goalscoring chancesCredit: Prime Media
However, the Arsenal ace says she would tell her younger self to enjoy the journey that has led to her wearing the Lionesses’ armband. 
Williamson added: “I was so stressed about becoming the person I wanted to be at the end of my journey and maybe not enjoying the road so much. 
“And if you’d have said it  (you’d be England captain) to that little girl playing football, she probably wouldn’t have believed you, so I’ll just try to stay in the moment for a little bit.”

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Sarina Wiegman addresses Lioness fans after she arrives at St George’s Park More

EDEN PARK in New Zealand will take centre stage on the first day of the Women’s 2023 World Cup with the venue hosting the tournament’s opening clash.And the second-biggest sports venue in Australia is set to host the contest’s final. 
Eden Park will host the opening clash of the 2023 Women’s World CupCredit: Getty
The world’s best international women’s sides will go head-to-head in nine cities and 10 stadiums in Australia and New Zealand.  
Adelaide, Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Wellington are among the locations where matches will take place over a five-week period from July to August 2023. 
Fifa president Gianni Infantino said: “Building on the incredible success of France 2019, the Women’s World Cup 2023 and nine host cities across Australia and New Zealand will not only showcase the world’s very best players but will also provide a powerful platform to unite and inspire people.
Chris Nikou, Football Australia President, added: “This will be the biggest sporting event on Australian soil since the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, showcasing Australia and New Zealand to a global audience of over one billion people. 
“Today’s announcement is a major milestone for a tournament that will unite nations, inspire generations, and provide our diverse and multicultural game with the perfect platform to grow over the coming years.”
The next World Cup will be the first in the competition’s history to see 32 teams battle it out for the most prestigious trophy in women’s football. 
This follows Fifa’s decision to expand the tournament’s size from 24 international sides. 
And the contest will be the first-ever jointly managed by two countries with both nations scheduled to host a semi-final game. 
Sam Kerr and her Australia team-mates will be among the 32 sides competing in the tournamentCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The 2019 Women’s World Cup saw the United States win the trophy for the fourth time in the tournament’s 30-year history. 
And Megan Rapinoe and Manchester City ace Rose Lavelle was on target for the victors in their 2-0 defeat of the Netherlands. 
The full fixture schedule for the next World Cup is due to be revealed later this year.
The United States women’s team won their fourth World Cup in France in 2019Credit: AP
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