It’s not quite the same squad announcement that we saw last summer. There were no big launch videos or shoutouts from celebrities. It was clean and simple, which is what we’ve come to expect from England under Sarina Wiegman.
Wiegman has been direct, clear and consistent for much of her tenure, and that has bled into the way she picks her England squad too. Sometimes stubborn, always meticulous, most of the 23 names who have made the Women’s World Cup squad were all but guaranteed, especially as the litany of injuries made selection fairly predictable.
Wiegman was never expected to deviate too much from the squad that featured in England’s last international window back in April, when they won the Finalissima against Brazil on penalties but lost 2-0 to Australia. Not long after that, Leah Williamson tore her ACL, joining Fran Kirby and Beth Mead on the injured list.
Millie Bright and Lucy Bronze have been selected despite both having recent knee surgery. They are both expected to be fit in time for the tournament — though Bright might not make it for the opener against Haiti on July 22. Bright has been named captain in the absence of Williamson, while Mary Earps will take the armband if Bright isn’t fit. Alongside them in defence are Jess Carter and Niamh Charles…
