Lionesses begin World Cup prep

England will begin the countdown until the World Cup with the start of the Arnold Clark Cup on Thursday.

The European Champions are second-favourites with the bookies for the 2023 World Cup that will be held in Australia and New Zealand from July to August. 

Reigning champions USA are expected to hold on to their crown but the Lionesses, Germany, and Spain are all looking to spoil the party. Those three teams all played in the inaugural Arnold Clark Cup alongside Canada last year with England going on to win the round-robin tournament on goal difference.

Last year, the Arnold Clark Cup turned out to be the groundwork for the European Championships. England had to defeat Spain in the quarter-finals before going on to enjoy glory in a 2-1 extra-time victory over Germany in the final. 

This time round the opposition isn’t quite as high calibre, although they’re not quite of the quality of last year.

England begin the tournament against South Korea before games against Italy and Belgium. South Korea and Italy are both in the World Cup while Belgium missed out on their spot due to a play-off loss to Portugal in October.

@Getty / James Gill - Danehouse

“We hope these games excite the fans and they continue to give us such amazing support."

For the players, it’s an excellent chance to stake their claim for Wiegman’s World Cup squad. The likes of Katie Zelem and Niamh Charles just missed out on the Euros squad while Laura Coombs makes her return to the fold.

Then there’s fresh blood like Manchester United defender Maya Le Tissier and Everton’s Jess Park (currently on loan from Manchester City) who can show they’re the future of the England team.

With Euro winner Beth Mead likely out of the tournament while Ellen White and Jill Scott since retired, there is space for a new generation to come through and potentially help lead England to glory once again.

One day until match day - and it's 🇰🇷 up next!#Lionesses | @NuffieldHealth pic.twitter.com/fezN3bKppe

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) February 15, 2023