Millie Bright and Bethany England have been included in the England Women squad for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, while Beth Mead has not made the 23-player list.
Chelsea defender Bright has not featured since March after picking up a knee injury, but was expected to be included for the tournament, which begins on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand.
Lucy Bronze too has been sidelined since picking up a knee injury against Chelsea in the Women’s Champions League semi-finals, but is also expected to be fit for the tournament
Tottenham striker England – who scored 12 goals in just 12 WSL games for Spurs following her record-breaking January move from Chelsea – has also been called-up by Wiegman.
She was part of the Euro 2022-winning squad, but has missed out on international football since September. However, her fine club form has seen her earn a recall in time for the summer’s tournament.
There had been some hopes among England fans that Mead may have been included after her ACL injury in November, but she has not been named. Lionesses captain Leah Williamson and Fran Kirby also miss out with injury.
Manchester United captain Katie Zelem will also feature in her first major tournament squad, having been cut from Wiegman’s initial 28-player squad before the Euros last summer. Niamh Charles, Laura Coombs, Lauren James, Esme Morgan and Katie Robinson will also feature at their first senior international finals.
Wiegman has also named three standby players – goalkeeper Emily Ramsey, defender Maya Le Tissier and forward Jess Park – who will train with the squad at St George’s Park ahead of the tournament.
Ramsey will leave the group prior to departure for Australia. Le Tissier and Park will travel with the Lionesses and will be included in preparations. England can include one of their standbys in their 23-player squad up until their opening match against Haiti on July 22, should another player pick up an injury or fall ill.
Telford: Bright and Nobbs call-ups welcome
Former England goalkeeper Carly Telford speaking on Sky Sports News:
“It’s good to see Millie Bright on that list. I think we’ll all be relieved about that.
“She’s [Wiegman] gone with experience in Jordan Nobbs. It’s great to see her back, along with Katie Zelem – I think they’re going to be important.
“There’s some freshness in there. Katie Robinson’s a very exciting prospect. No Jess Park, which is disappointing, but her injury towards the end of the season probably hindered her a little bit.
“Beth England has proved herself as a forward, an out-and-out No 9. She’s been to a major tournament and how she pushes the group is something Sarina has probably looked at.
“It’s a solid squad. It’s got good versatility and good depth.
“I don’t think there will be too many who expected to be in the squad and will be disappointed to have been left out. It’s more about surprise inclusions. Sarina’s pretty set in her ways.”
England Women squad in full
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Man Utd), Ellie Roebuck (Man City), Hannah Hampton (Aston Villa).
Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Esme Morgan (Man City), Alex Greenwood (Man City).
Midfielders: Keira Walsh (Barcelona), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Man Utd), Jordan Nobbs (Aston Villa), Laura Coombs (Man City), Katie Zelem (Man Utd).
Forwards: Alessia Russo (Man Utd), Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Lauren Hemp (Man City), Chloe Kelly (Man City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Katie Robinson (Brighton), Bethany England (Tottenham).
Standby players: Maya Le Tissier (Man Utd), Jess Park (Man City), Emily Ramsey (Man Utd).