The Lionesses Roar: Meet the New Faces of England’s World Cup Squad
The England Women’s National Football Team, the Lionesses, made history last summer when they won the Euro 2022 tournament. But this summer, the team will have a very different look as they head to Australia and New Zealand for the 2023 Women’s World Cup. With Jill Scott and Ellen White retiring, and Beth Mead, Leah Williamson and Fran Kirby ruled out due to injury, six players are set to make their major tournament debuts. Who are these new faces in Sarina Wiegman’s 23-player squad?
Lauren James: The Next Female Football Superstar
Lauren James, 21, had a standout season for Chelsea which earned her a place in the World Cup squad. She scored eight goals in 33 games, but it was her endless creativity and directness of play which caught the eye. Her Chelsea and England team-mate Niamh Charles said, “She’s such a unique, talented player. I don’t actually know what her stronger foot is because she’s just so comfortable on both. When we give her the ball, you know she’s going to hold it up and turn players, it’s very unique and hopefully it can be a weapon for us.”
Esme Morgan: From University Library to World Cup
Esme Morgan, 22, is a sport and exercise science student at Manchester Metropolitan University and a key player for Manchester City. She was ruled out of last summer’s Euros due to a broken leg but has worked her way back to fitness and form and will be a useful squad member down under. She said, “On the down days when you are injured and you feel like you’ve had setbacks, there were parts of me that thought ‘am I ever going to be the same player?’ But when I came back and I realised that I actually felt better than I’d ever felt before, the World Cup was definitely a target I had in mind. I’m just so happy.”
Katie Zelem: A Long Journey to the World Cup
Katie Zelem, 27, is the captain, engine and set-piece specialist for Manchester United. She missed out on the Euros squad last year but has earned a place for the 2023 World Cup after a stellar campaign with United. She said, “England was the dream, but when I was 22, 23, it didn’t feel like it was going to happen – but at 27, I’ve made it!” It marks the latest step on a long journey for Zelem who has played for United as a youth player before having stints with Liverpool and Juventus.
Katie Robinson: A Whirlwind 12 Months
Katie Robinson, 20, was still at college during the 2019 World Cup but has been called up after an impressive campaign for WSL strugglers Brighton. She said, “If you’d asked me a year ago I probably wouldn’t have thought that I’d be here, but it shows how things can change so quickly. I knew and felt like I’d been doing well at Brighton, but obviously nothing is guaranteed. It’s been a whirlwind. A year ago I’d just finished my loan, and now I’m going to a World Cup so it’s crazy how things can change that quickly, but I think I’ve earned my spot so I’m just delighted to be going.”
Laura Coombs: Senior Player at 32
Laura Coombs, 32, was called up for the 2023 Arnold Clark Cup in February after good form for Manchester City. She said, “Luckily I don’t feel old. It feels really fresh, everyone is really positive and the talent level is so high. I just feel coming into this now I’m more of a senior player and I do feel more comfortable than maybe I have in the past.”
Niamh Charles: Versatile Player
Niamh Charles, 24, was named on the standby list for Euro 2022 by Wiegman and was on holiday with some Chelsea team-mates when she received the call that she would be stepping up to the main squad this summer. She said, “To be honest, I can’t quite believe it. It’s not properly sunk in that I am actually going because, for a long time now, I’ve been in and around but have never gone.” Charles is a versatile player who was used in midfield by Chelsea boss Emma Hayes last season. She said, “The way I play leads me to be a full-back a bit more. I’m quite suited to that position. I really enjoy it now but it definitely was a transition, for sure. It didn’t just happen overnight. It’s taken work and, still, there’s a long way to go for me.”
Conclusion
The Lionesses are ready to roar at this summer’s Women’s World Cup with six new faces in their squad. From Lauren James who is being touted as the next female football superstar to Laura Coombs who is making her major tournament debut at 32 years old; from Esme Morgan who had to ask for extensions on her university coursework to Katie Robinson who is celebrating her 21st birthday in Australia; from Katie Zelem who has had a long journey to get here to Niamh Charles who is versatile enough to play anywhere; these six players are ready to make their mark on the tournament and take their place in history as part of England’s World Cup squad.