England manager Mark Sampson today announced his 23-player squad for the upcoming Women’s World Cup in Canada.
Euro 2013 – the last major tournament England Women competed in – proved disappointing, as they crashed out at the group stages after failing to record a single win. But the Lionesses enjoyed an unbeaten qualifying campaign for this year’s World Cup and are currently ranked 6th in the FIFA world rankings.
The 2015 World Cup has seen the number of participating teams increased from 16 to 24 making it the largest competition since the tournament’s inception.
Sampson has selected a mix of experienced players and young, upcoming talent in a squad that includes the WSL’s leading goalscorers Ellen White (WSL 1) and Fran Kirby (WSL 2).
Chelsea’s Katie Chapman returns to the national set-up after a five-year absence, and Jill Scott is also selected despite missing the past three matches in the domestic league due to a violent conduct ban.
Omissions from the squad include Gemma Bonner of Liverpool Ladies who has represented England from Under 17’s level, and Nikita Parris of Manchester City who was named in the WSL Team of the Year last month.
Sampson told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It is tough to leave people out. The toughest thing I have had to do in my career is to contact those who missed out, because it has been a real group effort to get to this point. The competition for places has been fierce but we feel we have a strong group who can challenge in Canada.”
He added: “The players are fiercely ambitious and want to go as far as we can. Together we are a strong unit and will be difficult to play against. We are confident but we need to be focussed.”
The squad in full:
Goalkeepers – Karen Bardsley (Manchester City), Carly Telford (Notts County) Siobhan Chamberlain (Arsenal)
Defenders – Laura Bassett (Notts County), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Alex Greenwood (Notts County), Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Claire Rafferty (Chelsea), Alex Scott (Arsenal) Casey Stoney (Arsenal)
Midfielders – Katie Chapman (Chelsea), Jade Moore (Birmingham City), Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Jo Potter (Birmingham City), Jill Scott (Manchester City) Fara Williams (Liverpool)
Forwards – Eniola Aluko (Chelsea), Karen Carney (Birmingham City), Toni Duggan (Manchester City), Fran Kirby (Reading), Lianne Sanderson (Arsenal), Jodie Taylor (Portland Thorns) Ellen White (Notts County)
England’s first game will be against France on the 9th June, followed by group matches against Colombia and Mexico.
