As the champions of the Euro 2022, England enter the FIFA Women’s World Cup with the goal of dominating the world. Importantly, Sarina Wiegman’s team is aware of the dangers of greater hurry and less speed, and they will exercise patience in their quest to capture the inaugural Women’s World Cup. They also worry about shape-shifting in formations other than their favored 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. When England appeared to be losing the Euro quarterfinal against Spain last summer, Wiegman moved to a 3-4-3 formation and was rewarded with a historic triumph.
It also helps that the important assistant coach of the Dutch Lionesses, Arjan Veurink, is not a slave to any one theory and is happy to adapt the team’s style and tactics to the opponents’ strengths and limitations. Although England is known for its careful passing, they are not hesitant to go direct or launch a swift counterattack. The goal under past managers was for the Lionesses to outperform every opponent in terms of strength, speed, and fitness. Although Wiegman’s sports science team continues to have a significant impact, there is a greater focus on subtle ball work. Additionally, she excels in determining the ideal timing for introducing impact alternatives.
The Manager
Sarina Wiegman succeeded Phil Neville as England’s manager in 2021. The following year, in a Wembley final against Germany, she guided the Lionesses to Euro championship success. Having previously won the Euro 2017 with her home Netherlands, the former physical education teacher from The Hague led the Oranje to a World Cup final loss to the USA in 2019. The University of North Carolina alumna, a former defensive midfielder, earned 104 caps for her nation. After transitioning into coaching, Wiegman agreed to a secondment with Sparta Rotterdam men. She made history as the first woman from the Netherlands to coach a professional men’s team.
Star player
Keira Walsh, who recently assisted Barcelona in winning the Champions League, is considered by many good experts to be the finest central midfielder in the world today. She is currently playing in Australia. Generally speaking, if Walsh does well, England will as well. The 26-year-old Rochdale native with a sixth sense for a pass is referred to as “the most tactically intelligent player I’ve worked with” by Nick Cushing, her former boss at Manchester City. Walsh, a lifelong supporter of City and the Spanish men’s team, grew up idolizing David Silva.
Rising star
Katie Robinson, a winger for Brighton, is the youngest member of the group at 20. Robinson, a Cornish woman, was raised in Newquay and still loves to bodyboard and surf there. She almost missed the whole 2020–21 season due to an anterior cruciate ligament tear. Since then she has made a full recovery and has already won five senior caps.
Fun Fact
Because she was born in Berwick and has Scottish ancestors, Lucy Bronze was also qualified to represent Portugal and England in addition to her native Scotland. Additionally, Bronze is the only Englishwoman to win the Champions League thrice, once with Barcelona and three times at Lyon. The right-back for England has had six knee surgeries as well.
State of Football
After the First World War, women’s football became incredibly popular in England. However, the FA barred women from playing on affiliated fields for 50 years in 1921. The Lionesses’ accomplishment of winning the bronze medal at the 2015 World Cup in Canada marked a turning point, and their success at the Euro 2022 tournament made English players famous across the world. The government’s recent promise to allow all schoolgirls to play football should solidify the sport’s rising popularity.
Our Prediction
Winners. Lifting the trophy is a realistic goal after they won a home Euro. England also made the past two FIFA Women’s World Cup semifinals. However, England is in a difficult position in the draw. England appears to be on track to face Australia or Canada in the first knockout round if they advance from a group that also includes Haiti, Denmark, and China. Germany and France might very well follow in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds if they advance from that group.
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