England Announces Squad for UEFA Women’s Nations League
England has revealed its squad for the upcoming UEFA Women’s Nations League fixtures, which will take place later this month. The team will face Scotland on September 22 in Sunderland before traveling to Utrecht to play against the Netherlands on September 26. Sarina Wiegman, the head coach of the England women’s national team, has decided to keep faith in the majority of the squad that reached the final of the Women’s World Cup last month. The only omissions from the squad are Keira Walsh and Bethany England, who are both sidelined due to injuries.
In addition to the core squad, Wiegman has included Lucy Staniforth and Maya Le Tissier, who were part of the group that traveled to Australia and New Zealand, as well as Jess Park, who withdrew from the tournament stand-by list due to injury. Wiegman expressed her excitement about the upcoming fixtures and acknowledged the challenges of playing in another competition so soon after the World Cup. She emphasized the need for the players to be fresh and ready to perform from the start.
The UEFA Women’s Nations League campaign will see England compete against the Netherlands, Scotland, and Belgium in one of four four-team groups in League A. The winners of each group will qualify for the semi-finals in February, with a final match determining the overall champion.
Wiegman highlighted the significance of the Nations League in women’s football, as it provides more competitive matches for teams to test themselves. She also expressed her anticipation of playing in Sunderland, where England has a strong connection with the fans and expects tremendous support.
The full squad for the upcoming fixtures includes goalkeepers Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), and Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City). The defensive line consists of Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), and Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal).
The midfielders selected for the squad are Laura Coombs (Manchester City), Jordan Nobbs (Aston Villa), Jess Park (Manchester City), Lucy Staniforth (Aston Villa), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), and Katie Zelem (Manchester United). The forward line includes Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Katie Robinson (Brighton & Hove Albion), and Alessia Russo (Arsenal).
The announcement of the squad has generated excitement among fans and experts, who are eager to see how England performs in the inaugural UEFA Women’s Nations League. The team’s recent success in the Women’s World Cup has raised expectations, and supporters are hopeful that they can continue their impressive form in this new competition.
The UEFA Women’s Nations League is a significant step forward for women’s football, providing more opportunities for teams to compete at a high level. It also allows players to showcase their skills on an international stage and further develop the sport. As the first edition of the tournament, it marks a milestone in the growth and recognition of women’s football.
With the squad announcement, England has set the stage for an exciting and competitive tournament. The matches against Scotland and the Netherlands will undoubtedly be challenging, but the team’s talented players and experienced coaching staff give them a strong chance of success. Fans are eagerly awaiting the start of the UEFA Women’s Nations League and are ready to support England as they aim to add another trophy to their collection.
In conclusion, England’s squad for the UEFA Women’s Nations League fixtures has been revealed, with Sarina Wiegman keeping faith in the majority of the squad that reached the Women’s World Cup final. The upcoming matches against Scotland and the Netherlands will provide a new challenge for the team, and fans are excited to see how they perform in this inaugural tournament. The UEFA Women’s Nations League is a significant development for women’s football, and England has a great opportunity to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level.