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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jack Lacey-Hatton

Winners and losers from Sarina Wiegman's England World Cup squad announcement

After leading the Lionesses to European Championship glory last summer Sarina Wiegman has named her squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup finals.

Captain Leah Williamson and Fran Kirby were both already ruled out through injury. But good news came in the form of both Millie Bright and Lucy Bronze being included, despite suffering injury scares recently, with Bright set to take on the captaincy.

Beth Mead's absence was confirmed, while Laura Coombs, Katie Zelem, Hannah Hampton and Katie Robinson were all notable inclusions. Bethany England was the other big story, with her outstanding form for Spurs seeing her back in Wiegman's plans.

Here are the big winners and losers from the England World Cup squad announcement.

Winners

Bethany England

The big surprise inclusion. England was cast aside from the international scene at the start of the season, when it became clear she would warm Chelsea's bench for the foreseeable.

But England got herself back on the pitch in January when joining relegation-threatened Tottenham. The forward hit 10 goals in just 12 games to help Spurs to survival and impress Wiegman.

Her selection means the Lionesses manager will now have three traditional central forwards to choose from. England will battle for her place with Alessia Russo and in-form Rachel Daly. England didn't play a minute at Euro 2022 - will it be different this summer?

Beth England's form for Spurs has seen her earn and England recall (Getty Images)

Esme Morgan

Morgan is far from the most experienced defender in the final 23-player squad with just four caps. She also missed out entirely on Euro 2022 with leg break.

But Morgan is versatile, having spent time at left back, right back and centre back for Gareth Taylor's City side this season and that will be a big plus for Wiegman. She probably won't start for the Lionesses this summer, but her energy and enthusiasm from the bench could prove vital.

The 22-year-old is also known for her infectious personality and will be a good person to have around the camp.

Losers

Maya Le Tissier

Most fans and journalists had Maya Le Tissier in their WSL team of the season after the final day of the campaign. The Man Utd defender has had an exceptional campaign for Marc Skinner's side as they narrowly missed out on both the WSL and the FA Women's Cup.

She only made her England debut back in November, but most thought she had a great chance of making her first major tournament this summer. Yet she isn't one of the seven defenders named by Sarina Wiegman.

Le Tissier will be on standby and train with the squad when they meet up at St George's Park next month. But a player in such good form for her club, will have expected to make the 23.

Beth Mead

The news of Beth Mead's absence was expected but it is still be a huge blow to England supporters. This is a player who would get into any club side in the world and won both Player of the Tournament and the Golden Boot at Euro 2022.

Having ruptured her ACL in the final minutes of Arsenal's loss to Man Utd last November, a return for the finals always looked a long shot. But her recovery is thought to be going according to plan and Wiegman refused to rule her out in the April international camp.

Sadly for the forward, Australia and New Zealand 2023 won't be her crowning moment on the world stage. Instead she will now focus on returning to full fitness for the new WSL season which begins at the end of September.

Arsenal Women's Head Coach Jonas Eidevall chats to Beth Mead during the Arsenal Women's training session (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Steph Houghton

A recall was mooted for the Man City defender, particularly after Leah Williamson's ACL injury. Houghton has been in excellent form alongside Alex Greenwood at the back for City, particularly in the final third of the season.

But she has not featured for England since she was dropped from the final tournament squad for Euro 2022, with the Dutch coach instead turning to Williamson to lead the Lionesses from the back.

Wiegman did speak to Houghton personally to let her know she wouldn't be included, but the news will still be a blow to the former skipper. After 121 caps and 16 years, her international career is surely over.

Steph Houghton has missed out on a recall to the Lionesses squad (Ryan Hiscott - The FA/Getty Images)

Nikita Parris

Wiegman selected seven forwards in total but found no room for Nikita Parris. The Man Utd forward has had a strong finish to the WSL season for Marc Skinner's side but misses out on what would have been her third World Cup.

Instead Katie Robinson will provide cover for the trio of Chelsea's Lauren James and Man City duo Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly. A recall for Parris wouldn't have been a huge surprise. After all she did feature at Euro 2022 and very nearly won the WSL at United, who only missed out on the title by two points.

Her absence from the plane to Australia again points towards this being a new era for the Lionesses.

NEW! Our Year: European Champions 2022 - The Official England Winners Book

With a foreword by England manager Sarina Wiegman, this is the only official book of the historic triumph, reliving every kick of a thrilling tournament and telling the stories of the players who made it all happen.

Order from https://reachsportshop.com/book/our-year-european-champion-2022/

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