Women’s World Cup 2023

JUST three of the 15 Spain players who mutinied against head coach Jorge Vilda have been included in his provisional World Cup squad.Manchester United’s Ona Batlle is among the three aces on Vilda’s long-list having made herself available for selection. 
Ona Batlle has included been included in Jorge Vilda’s provisional Spain squad ahead of the World CupCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Aitana Bonmati has been recalled after being named Women’s Champions League of the Year last seasonCredit: Getty
Manchester United ace Lucia Garcia has been left out of Vilda’s squadCredit: Getty
The Red Devils full-back is one of 12 players ready for Spain duty  after being among the 15 who stood down last September.
The players stood down amid concerns over conditions at international camps and Vilda’s managerial approach.
Last week sports news outlet Marca claimed the 12 players would no longer stay away having reached a consensus with their country’s football federation the RFEF.
Barcelona’s Mariona Caldentey and Aitana Bonmati have also been included in Vilda’s provisional group. 
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Last September the RFEF claimed 15 players had sent them emails stating their wish to not be selected over conditions at international camps. 
The players outlined concerns that the situation had “significantly” affected their emotional state and health. 
While Batlle has been recalled, her United and Spain pal Lucia Garcia, who was among the 15 players who had been on strike, has been left out. 
Her omission comes almost a year on from her representing Spain at last summer’s Euros and helping them to reach the quarter-final stage. 
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And Manchester’s City’s Laia Aleixandri and Leila Ouahabi have also been left out. 
Spain will be without the services of a trio of Barcelona players  who helped their team win this year’s Champions League final with a 3-2 defeat of Wolfsburg.  
Barca goalkeeper Sandra Panos, forward Claudia Pina and defender Mapi Leon have not made themselves available for an international call-up. 
Midfielder Patri Guijarro, who netted a two-minute brace in the Champions League final, is also unavailable.
And Atletico Madrid shot-stopper Lola Gollardo did not make herself available for Spain duty. 
Barca superstar Alexia Putellas has been included on Vilda’s long list. 
The midfielder,  recently returned to fitness from a knee ligament injury, had been crocked for much of this season 
Putellas was not among the 15 players who had stood down from international duty.
However the two-time Ballon d’Or winner shared the concerns flagged by her team-mates regarding training conditions and management of injuries in the national set-up.
Following the squad announcement Vilda told reporters: “I will speak about the players who are here and not the ones who aren’t
“The RFEF has always been open to dialogue. The conflict is practically resolved, a few details would remain. 
“We would be delighted if that were the case, but we look at the players who are committed and have shown their commitment.”
Vilda is set to trim his 30-strong squad to 23 on June 30. 
The team will play their Group C opener against Costa Rica on July 21 at Wellington Regional Stadium in
It remains to be seen whether the players now available for selection for the world’s sixth best national side will make the final cut.  
However the team has been boosted by Putellas recovery from a damaged ACL. 
Vilda added: “It’s great news Alexia is back and she’s played minutes with her club.
Spain chief Jorge Vilda is set to cut his squad to 23 players on June 30Credit: Getty
“In this time we have played 11 games and we have won 9, including the game against the USA that we won for the first time.
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“With the players we have now, I’m sure we’ll continue to rise in the ranking.
“We know that she (Putellas) is going to help us a lot both on and off the pitch because of her leadership and her experience.” More

ENGLAND will take on fellow World Cup rivals Portugal in their final game on home soil before the tournament. The  July 1 duel takes place 13 days before a sterner behind-closed-doors-test in Australia against Olympic gold winners Canada. 
Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses will take on Portugal in the first of their final two World Cup warm-up gamesCredit: Getty
Jessica Silva and her Portugal team-mates fell to a 2-1 loss to Japan in April in their previous internationalCredit: Getty
Last year’s Euros winners will then face Haiti in a World Cup Group D opener on July 22 
England’s duel with Portugal, to be aired live on ITV1, will kick-off at 3:15pm at the Stadium MK. 
There were question marks around the Lionesses’ clash with Portugal as the timing for the start of their warm-up camp had not been finalised.
This follows the European Clubs Association (ECA) stating players should only be available ten days before the World Cup.
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Since then ECA later proposed an alternative release timeframe of June 23-29.  
And FA have confirmed players will be released by their clubs for the international camp on June 19. 
Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman said: “I am really pleased to have a competitive game for our last home fixture. 
“We had two big games in April against Brazil and Australia where we learned so  much. 
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“This will be another challenging match against a team that have performed well and  are going to their first World Cup.”
The last clash between England and Portugal, who were knocked out at the group stage of last year’s Euros, ended in a 1-0 Lionesses win in October.
Back then Beth Mead netted the only goal of the game for the side who were then managed by Phil Neville. 
England’s opponents have won two of their last four international fixtures this year which include a 1-1 home draw with Wales.
Other results include a 5-0 drubbing of World Cup co-hosts New Zealand in February with Sporting Lisbon striker Ana Capeta netting a brace. 
Wiegman added: “Portugal will also want to show they can be a threat to teams in Australia, and they have  very technical players with good ability. 
“For us, it will be important to come together again  as a team after the end of the club season and feel the support of our fans.”
The Lionesses’ final match before they begin their quest for World Cup glory will see them face Canada. 
The Tokyo Olympic Gold medallists are seen as one of the tournament’s favourites having won six of their last 10 games.
Victories under Bev Priestman, who this week named a 25-strong provisional squad, include two September defeats of Australia. 
The Durham-born manager, who was working as theLionesses assistant from 2018 to 2020, has named seven WSL players in her side. 
Chelsea’s Kadeisha Buchanan and Jessie Fleming have been called up along with Reading forward Deanne Rose and Arsenal goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo. 
Tottenham captain Shelina Zadorsky has also been named along with Man United’s Jayde Riviere and Adriana Leon. 
Chelsea’s Kadeisha Buchanan is among seven WSL players included in Canada’s provisional squad before the World CupCredit: Getty
The Canada chief said: “Picking this roster brought some incredibly difficult decisions and conversations, which I think speaks volumes to how competitive and exciting the group is.”
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Priestman is set to name her final 23-strong squad on July 9 five days before her team’s pre-World Cup duel with England. 
She added: “In the final twenty-three player roster, I know we will have a fantastic blend of experienced players along with World Cup debutants who are big part of the future of this programme.” More

AMANDINE HENRY  has been recalled to France’s national side after an absence of two years. The former Le Bleues skipper, 33, has been included in Herve Renard’s provisional squad before the start of the Women’s World Cup in July. 
Amandine Henry has been named in Herve Renard’s 26-strong provisional squad ahead of the World Cup in JulyCredit: AFP or licensors
The Angel City midfielder was left out of France’s squad before last summer’s Euros by former boss Corinne DiacreCredit: AFP
The midfielder’s inclusion follows her switch from Lyon to US top tier side Angel City this month after a 14-year spell at the club. 
Following his squad announcement, Renard, 54, told reporters: “Having her (in the group) was one of my main intentions. 
“With her little problem with Lyon, now resolved, we helped her along a lot so that she would be available for the preparation for the World Cup.”
Renard’s 26-strong squad currently includes five WSL aces with Aston Villa’s Kenza Dali, Chelsea defender Eve Perisset and West Ham forward Viviane Asseyi all named. 

Manchester United’s Aissatou Tounkara and Estelle Cascarino have also been called up. 
However Irons centre-back Hawa Cissoko misses out ten months after being included in the squad before last summer’s Euros. 
And the team will be without the services of Paris-Saint Germain striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Lyon’s Delphine Cascarino due to thigh and ACL injuries. 
Henry’s return comes nearly three years after the midfielder described the atmosphere under former gaffer Corinne Diacre during the 2019 World Cup as “total chaos”
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Henry’s recall comes two months after Diacre was sacked from her role as France head coachCredit: Reuters
The France star, who has won 12 top-flight titles and seven Champions League medals with her squad, was left out of Diacre’s squad before last year’s Euros. 
The ex-France boss was fired in March after a number of players announced their intend to stand down from international duty.
National captain Wendi Renard, forward Kadidiatou Diani and Katoto were among the players who had temporarily stood  down. 
In an interview with French outlet Telefoot Diani said it was important for team-mates to have “something new”.
France will begin their campaign to win the World Cup with a Group D opening fixture against Jamaica at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia on July 23. 
Aston Villa playmaker Kenza Dali is among five WSL stars included in Renard’s squadCredit: Getty
It will see Renard’s side, currently ranked the fifth best in the world, play their first game in a major tournament under their new boss. 
Henry’s return to the side comes ahead of France’s pre-World Cup friendly fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Australia on the 6th and 14th of July. 
Their clash with the former could see Henry, who has 93 senior international caps, return to match action for France for the first time since December 2020.
France Women’s provisional World Cup squadGoalkeepers:
Pauline Peyraud-Magnin (Juventus), Mylene Chavas (free agent), Constance Picaud (Paris Saint-Germain), Solene Durand (Guingamp).
Defenders: 
Sakina Karchaoui (Paris Saint-Germain), Eve Perisset (Chelsea), Wendie Renard (Lyon), Estelle Cascarino (Manchester United), Elisa De Almeida (Paris Saint-Germain), Maelle Lakrar (Montpellier), Aissatou Tounkara (Manchester United)
Midfielders: 
Laurina Fazer (Paris Saint-Germain), Grace Geyoro (Paris Saint-Germain), Amandine Henry (Angel City) Kenza Dali (Aston Villa), Oriane Jean-Francois (Paris Saint-Germain), Lea Le Garrec (Fleury), Amel Majri (Lyon), Sandie Toletti (Real Madrid)
Forwards:
Kadidiatou Diani (Paris Saint-Germain),  Vivane Asseyi (West Ham), Eugenie Le Sommer (Lyon), Clara Mateo (Paris FC), Naomie Feller (Real Madrid), Vicki Becho (Lyon) More

SARINA WIEGMAN is not prepared to push Beth Mead and risk a reinjury after leaving her out of England’s World Cup squad. The Arsenal star is among the high profile absentees from the 23-strong group named today before the tournament’s start in July. 
England will be without the services of Beth Mead with the forward to continuing her return to full fitness following her ACL injury last yearCredit: PA
Bethany England’s clinical goalscoring for Tottenham led to her recallCredit: PA
Wiegman says Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright have an important role to play in England’s bid to win the Women’s World Cup this summerCredit: Getty
Euros Golden Boot winner Mead is continuing her recovery from a knee ligament rupture she suffered last November. 
While the forward had hoped to make the contest, which is being held in Australia and New Zealand, she admitted a return could be too soon. 
Wiegman, 53 said: “Beth is so positive and she’s doing really well.
“But we said with the time schedule she had. She would have taken too many risks to try and get to the World Cup.
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“I’m not willing to take that risk to push her too much and then she gets injured again because we also have to take care of players and do what is smart not do what’s a little bit naive.”
Skipper Leah Williamson and playmaker Fran Kirby are currently sidelined by long-term injuries. 
The duo were ruled out for World Cup duty with Williamson sustaining an ACL injury and Kirby contending a knee issue. 
Wiegman added: “For Leah it’s very disappointing and very sad, but that’s the same for Fran and Beth, but you have to move on too. 
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“This is unfortunately also a part of top sport that you can get injured. 
“It’s a physical game and you hope to make that part as small as possible. 
Wiegman named Millie Bright and Lucy Bronze with the head coach keen to have their experience in her squad following injuries to three of her senior stars. 
Bright, who will captain the Lionesses, and Bronze were both included in the group, following their recent recoveries from knee surgical procedures. 
The Lionesses chief added: “Lucy is fit, she’s fully in training. She’s getting ready for the (Champions League) final this Saturday. 
“Millie is in a good place, she’s positive and she’s still building. 
“But we have some time and so she’ll she’ll be with us too, but we need to build a little more, but it looks good
“Of course you want them in because they have an important role for the team and they have impact. 
“But you never know what happens in football so we think of the squad now, who do we have, what positions can the players play and what’s the next step so we always prepare it with them and without them.”
Bethany England has earned a recall following her ruthless form for Tottenham helping the team win their battle to avoid relegation. 
Following her January move from Chelsea, the striker netted 12 goals in 12 WSL games for the club who finished ninth in the top-flight. 
Wiegman said: “She made a move and started playing in a hard situation at Tottenham.
“But how she did and how she performed and the resilience showed, that made us make that decision.”
WSL player of the season Rachel Daly has been added as one of England’s six forwards with Chelsea’s Lauren James and Brighton’s Katie Robinson. 
Rachel Daly has been included Wiegman’s as one of England’s forwards after finishing as top scorer in the WSL this seasonCredit: Getty
The duo will feature in their first major tournament as will Esme Morgan, Laura Coombs, Katie Zelem and Niamh Charles who were also called up . 
Veteran England midfielder Jordan Nobbs also made Wiegman’s cut after impressing for Aston Villa this term. 
However former England captain Steph Houghton was left out along with Man United striker Nikita Parris.
And Red Devils ace Maya Le Tissier has been placed on the Lionesses’ standby list along with forward Jess Park and goalkeeper Emily Ramsey. 
Wiegman said: “Maya was really close. That was a hard call.
“We also see her a little bit more as a right full back and she plays for her club as centre back
“She’s had a very good season for Manchester United. But this is the choice we made.”
With England’s squad containing two non-white players, Wiegman was asked about the issue of diversity within the senior side. 
The head coach acknowledged the situation is unlikely to change overnight.
But she believes having equal access to football in schools could help.
Wiegman hopes equal access to football in schools can help produce more players from different backgrounds for EnglandCredit: Getty
Lauren James is among six Lionesses who will be playing in their first major international tournamentCredit: Getty
The England boss said: “I understand that people look at it like that.  I really hope that will change, but it won’t change overnight.
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“I know the FA is doing a lot of things with to get everyone who wants to play football, whatever background you have, that you can have access to it.
“What our squad did after the Euros (raising awareness with equal access campaigns) hopefully that will bring more girls of different backgrounds into the game so in the future we have more players from different backgrounds in the national team too. ”
England squad for the Women’s World Cup Goalkeepers:
Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Aston Villa), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City).
Defenders:
Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal).
Midfielders:
Laura Coombs (Manchester City), Jordan Nobbs (Aston Villa), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona) Katie Zelem (Manchester united).
Forwards:
Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Bethany England (Tottenham Hotspur), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Alessia Russo (Manchester United), Katie Robinson (Brighton & Hove Albion).
Players on standby:
Emily Ramsey (Everton), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United) and Jessica Park (Manchester City). More

KELLY SMITH and Gilly Flaherty hope Bethany England will make Sarina Wiegman’s World Cup squad today. The striker, 29, has been in lethal form since her British record-breaking January transfer to Tottenham from Chelsea. 
Bethany England’s effort could see her make a return to the Lionesses squadCredit: Getty
Kelly Smith hopes to see England included in the squad selected by Lionesses boss Sarina WiegmanCredit: Getty
Gilly Flaherty also wants to see England named in Wiegman’s 23-strong squad ahead of the Women’s World Cup in JulyCredit: Getty
She became their all-time leading scorer in the top tier, netting 12 goals in 12 WSL appearances following her move for a reported fee of £250,000. 
Her efforts helped the team win their battle to avoid relegation from the WSL with Tottenham finishing ninth in the table this season.
England was not included Wiegman’s last squad before her team’s Women’s Finalissima win against Brazil and 2-0 friendly loss to Australia in April.
Lionesses legend Smith, 44, who made 117 senior international appearances during her playing career,  believes a recall is deserved. 
She said: “I expect Bethany England to be in there. I think she’s a player that needs to be in that set up. 
Retired WSL ace Gilly Flaherty, 31, agreed, adding: “Beth deserves a call-up. 
“She helped keep Tottenham up (in the WSL) with so many important goals. 
“I would love to see her on that plane and I hope to see England do as well as they possibly can (at the tournament).” 
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At 2:00 pm today England boss Wiegman will pick her 23-strong squad ahead of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand which starts on July 20th. 
The announcement will be made at the home of grassroots football club Boldmere St. Michaels FC in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham.
Smith also thinks Rachel Daly can help fill the void left up front, with Fran Kirby out with a knee injury and Beth Mead a big doubt. 
This month the Arsenal forward told Sky Sports she is doing all she can to be fit but acknowledged the World Cup may be too soon for her return
Villa striker, Daly, 31, finished this season as the WSL’s top scorer — bagging 22 goals in 22 games.
Rachel Daly won the Barclays Women’s Super League Player of the Season award following her displays for Aston VillaCredit: Getty
This saw the Lioness, who has played for England as a full-back, equal the record set by Arsenal ace Vivianne Miedema in the 2018-19 
Smith, who is now a Barclays WSL ambassador, added: “I want to see Rachel as a striker, not as a left-back, given her performances and goal ratio this season. 
“I also want to see Millie Bright in there for her leadership, grit and determination. Hopefully England will have a good showing.” More

FRAN KIRBY says she is ‘absolutely gutted’ to miss the World Cup with a knee problem ending her hopes of being fit for the tournament. The Lionesses and Chelsea playmaker, 29 will be out of action for ‘a significant period’ in a blow for her club and England’s plans. 
Fran Kirby has been ruled out for the rest of this season due to a knee issueCredit: PA
The England and Chelsea forward is set to undergo an operation on her kneeCredit: PA
Kirby’s upcoming operation means she will be unavailable for selection for the Lionesses ahead of the World CupCredit: PA
She will undergo surgery following a knee problem that arose during the Blues’ 7-0 Conti Cup semis thrashing of West Ham.
It means she will be unavailable for selection before the contest taking place in Australia and New Zealand this summer.
Sarina Wiegman’s side will face Haiti in their group stage opener on July 22. 
In a post shared via her Twitter account, Kirby wrote: “Unfortunately after a few months of rehab the decision has been made that I will require surgery on my knee. 
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“I have been trying my best to not have to undergo this but unfortunately my progress has been limited due to the issue in my knee. 
“I’m absolutely gutted to announce that this means my season is over and I will not be able to make the World Cup in the summer. 
“I’m going to be doing everything possible to be ready for the start of next season
“I want to wish my team-mates at Chelsea the best of luck for the rest of the season and my Lioness team-mates the best of luck for the summer.”
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Chelsea provided the update on Kirby’s situation via a written statement published on their website on Tuesday afternoon. 
In their statement, the club, whose WSL team play Liverpool on Wednesday, wrote: “Following an injury sustained during our Continental League Cup semi-final against West Ham, Fran has been reviewed at Cobham by the Chelsea medical team.
“Following that review and further discussion with a specialist, Fran is set to undergo surgery and is expected to be sidelined for a significant period. 
“Fran will begin a rehabilitation programme with support from the club’s medical team.
“Everyone at Chelsea sends their best wishes to Fran in her recovery.”
Kirby’s injury sees her join Leah Williamson on the sidelines with the England skipper out of the World Cup following an ACL rupture she suffered during Arsenal’s loss to Man United in April. 
The Lionesses are also currently without the services of Beth Mead.
The Euros Golden Boot winner battling her way back from a knee ligament injury sustained last November. 
Meanwhile Kirby’s club and country pal Millie Bright is making her way back to fitness following a knee issue. 
The Lionesses and Blues vice-skipper was pictured back in the gym in images shared by her club on Monday. 
On Wednesday Chelsea will turn their attention to a rescheduled match against Reds and their bid to win a fourth successive title.
Emma Hayes wants her players to keep chipping away at their rivals in their hunt for the doubleCredit: Getty
Emma Hayes sees this as the moment for her team to start hunting down their title rivals in their first WSL game since April 2. 

 The Blues gaffer said: “There’s a scheduling nightmare but we have got everything to play for.
“Our focus as a team is we have got to keep chipping away and getting points on the board because we’ve got games to make up.” More