The England Women’s senior squad – better known as the Lionesses – are back in action later this month as they prepare to take on their biggest challenge yet: winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The squad, captained by Arsenal’s Leah Willamson and coached by Dutch football manager Sarina Weigman, reached dizzying heights last summer, beating Germany 2-1 to claim their first UEFA European Championship title. And they broke plenty of European records in the process, including the most goals scored in a tournament (22), the biggest win (8-0 against Norway), and the highest crowd attendance (87,192).
The viewers (all 365 million of us) were treated to some of the finest football we’d ever seen, from Alessia Russo’s spectacular backheel goal against Sweden to Chloe Kelly’s jubilant extra-time winner (not to mention the celebration) against Germany.
While there are still many familiar faces on Sarina Weignman’s 23-player squad, plenty of new players are in action following Jill Scott and Ellen White’s retirement. Team favourites Beth Mead, Leah Williamson and Fran Kirby are also ruled out of the squad due to injuries.
Are you ready to meet the Lionesses? Here’s a complete list of the 2023 World Cup England squad: