Notes

After triumphing at the Women’s Euros in 2022, England will go into this year’s Women’s World Cup as one of the favorites to win the tournament.

The team is brimming with world-class players, such as Barcelona’s Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh, and possesses one of the most diligent international coaches in the game.

Since Sarina Wiegman took charge of the Lionesses in September 2021, the squad has transformed into something of a juggernaut.

England have won 26 of the 32 games during her reign and have only lost once – a friendly against Australia in April.

It’s an astonishing record that also includes winning Euro 2022, but in an interview with CNN Sport’s Amanda Davies, Wiegman was cautious of the high expectations surrounding her team heading into this year’s World Cup.

“It’s very unpredictable and yes, of course, we’re one of the favorites because we’re the European champions,” the 53-year-old said, adding that life changed for the players after the memorable victory at Wembley Stadium in London.

England starts its World Cup campaign against Haiti on July 22, before facing Denmark and China in its other group stage matches.

Should it navigate the first hurdle and progress into the knockout stages, Wiegman’s side will find itself facing much sterner tests.

The United States Women’ National Team (USWNT) may have had a mixed build-up to the tournament – including a friendly defeat against England in 2022 – but Wiegman is very aware of the threat posed by the reigning champion.

The USWNT has won the last two World Cup titles and knocked England out of the semifinals in 2019.

“I think the US will always show up. They’ve shown it in history,” Wiegman said.

“It’s very impressive what they’ve done, and I think so many countries have caught up in that too, so for them it’s really becoming harder and harder.

“They have this mentality […] I’m not very close at the moment to the team, but I expect them to be really good when the World Cup starts.”

Despite the ever-present threat from the USWNT and other European rivals such as Germany, France and the Netherlands, England will feel confident about its chances of winning its first women’s World Cup title.

Few teams are as free-scoring as England and, after winning Euro 2022, they have senior players experienced in lifting big trophies on the international stage.