Women’s World Cup 2023 England team guides
Intent on global dominance, England travels to Australia and New Zealand as Euro 2022 winners. Sarina Wiegman’s team understands the perils of too much haste and too little speed as they try to win their first Women’s World Cup.
In addition, they tend not to fear shape-shifting from their preferred 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formations. Wiegman switched to a 3-4-3 against Spain during last summer’s Euro quarterfinal, when England looked close to defeat.
The Lionesses’ Dutch coach and her influential assistant, Arjan Veurink, are not slaves to philosophy, tailoring their style and tactics to match the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents.
England aren’t afraid to go direct or counterattack at speed, despite their preference for patient passing. The Lionesses were expected to be fitter, stronger, and faster than any of their opponents under previous managers. However, Wiegman’s sport science staff remains hugely influential, but nuanced ball work is now emphasized. Additionally, she is adept at predicting when to introduce impact substitutes at the right time.
But caveats remain: England are without Beth Mead, the Golden Boot winner as they topped all others last summer; their captain, Leah Williamson; and attacking playmaker Fran Kirby due to injury. Ellen White, the record goalscorer, and Jill Scott, the experienced midfielder, have retired.
Since Millie Bright is still recovering from knee surgery, Wiegman may regret exiling the Lionesses’ former captain, 35-year-old Steph Houghton, following a stellar season with Manchester City. The coach of England can be ruthless and, while coaching the Netherlands, was noted for phasing out older players without emotion.
Despite her exceptional clarity of thought and ability to communicate, few doubt her ability to think clearly and clearly. Sarina is one of the best coaches in the world, according to Emma Hayes, her Chelsea counterpart. She has the skills, the experience, the personality, and the right team behind her.
According to Scott, this is true. We can win the World Cup under Sarina’s leadership,” she says. Despite having some injuries and being a young squad, our team is still very strong. I think it’s a great opportunity.”
The coach
Sarina Wiegman succeeded Phil Neville as England’s manager in 2021 and led the Lionesses to Euros glory against Germany the following year. She had previously won Euro 2017 with her native Netherlands and led the Oranje to a World Cup final loss to the USA in 2019. Her country capped her 104 times as a defensive midfielder during her time at the University of North Carolina. Upon moving into coaching, Wiegman accepted a secondment with Sparta Rotterdam men, becoming the first Dutch woman to coach a professional male team. Her former colleagues often describe her as a control freak who is famously unsentimental and a firm believer in the devil being in the details.
Keira Walsh, who recently helped Barcelona win the Champions League, is considered the world’s best central midfielder by many decent judges. It is generally believed that if Walsh plays well, England will play well as well. Former Manchester City manager Nick Cushing describes the Rochdale-born 26-year-old as “the most tactically intelligent player I’ve worked with.”. Growing up, Walsh idolized David Silva of the Spain men’s team.