Sarina Wiegman’s big England squad decisions ahead of the Women’s World Cup 

All eyes will be on England national coach Sarina Wiegman, who will name her 23-man World Cup squad on Wednesday – 50 days before the tournament kicks off in Australia and New Zealand.

Wiegman will announce her final squad at 2pm at Boldmere St Michaels community club and is also expected to name around five reserve players.

A string of injuries to key players, including captain Leah Williamson, has left the Lionesses boss facing a number of dilemmas in recent months. With England looking to follow up on their Euro 2022 success Down Under, Mail Sport takes a look at the five big decisions facing their manager.

Is Wiegman betting on Beth Mead?

It has been six months since Arsenal striker Mead tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Wiegman said in March that she would need a ‘miracle’ to make it to the World Cup and while it seems Mead is resigned to not being fit in time, she hasn’t given up hope.

The striker won the golden boot at the European Championship and was in fantastic form for Arsenal when she suffered the serious knee injury. She is back running and ahead of schedule in her recovery, but there are doubts about whether she will be fit in time for England’s first game.

If FIFA had allowed managers to name a bigger squad of 26, Wiegman probably would have included Mead if she had the chance to play 10 or 15 minutes if needed. But it is unlikely to risk putting her in a 23-player squad.

It could also be detrimental to Mead to try and rush her back too soon, as it could hinder her recovery.

Who will take the final GK spot?

With Mary Earps as the No. 1 and Ellie Roebuck as the first backup, it’s likely to be a straight shootout between Hannah Hampton and Emily Ramsey for the third goalkeeper spot.

Hampton was part of the Euro 2022 squad but was dropped from the next three camps before being recalled in April.

Ramsey, who spent the season on loan at Manchester United’s Everton, was given her first call-up in February but was forced to pull out due to injury and has no senior cap to her name.

Who fills the defensive void?

Williamson’s injury means Alex Greenwood is likely to play alongside Millie Bright at centre-back, but that would mean playing a right-footed player at left-back. Greenwood is the only recognized left-footed player Wiegman has chosen to defend. The other options in that area – Jess Carter, Niamh Charles and Esme Morgan – are all right-footed. Rachel Daly, who played left back during the European Championship, is now mainly an attacker at Wiegman, but is also right-footed.

One option could be to bring back former captain Steph Houghton, who could play at centre-back alongside Millie Bright, allowing Greenwood to play at left-back. The 35-year-old is the most experienced option available to Wiegman, but the pair’s relationship has been fragile since Houghton was left out of the Euros squad last summer.

England’s other centre-backs are all young and have few caps. Maya Le Tissier has had the best season by far, but has only made two senior appearances. The fact that Houghton was left out of the April squad would indicate that Wiegman will continue to favor the more rookie options.

Youth or experience?

There are a few places in the front areas that can go to trusted and experienced players or up and coming youngsters.

Bethany England and Nikita Parris were both part of the Euro-winning squad, but have been in and out of the set-up ever since. England have not been picked since September, but finished the season with more goals than Alessia Russo following a January move to Tottenham Hotspur.

The forward has scored 13 goals in 11 appearances in a struggling Spurs team. Parris, meanwhile, finished the campaign strong for Manchester United and is a much-loved member of the squad.

But both Parris and England could miss young Brighton winger Katie Robinson. The 20-year-old provided six assists and four goals for the Seagulls and was part of Wiegman’s last three selections. She is clearly a player the England coach admires, but she will have to decide if she can make a bigger impact from the bench than one of the more experienced options.

Coverage in midfield?

Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway will be England’s starting central midfielders, but Wiegman must decide who to use as cover.

Manchester City’s Laura Coombs seems to have stayed ahead of Manchester United captain Katie Zelem in recent months. Coombs received her first call-up since 2018 in February and was included in the final squad in April while Zelem was dropped.

Both players have different qualities. Coombs is a neater player who will spray the ball around but can also leap forward into the penalty area to score. Zelem, meanwhile, is stronger and harder to knock off the ball and is one of the best set-piece takers in the WSL.

Jordan Nobbs is a more attacking midfielder and is likely to become Ella Toone’s number 10 backup. Nobbs flourished in the second half of the season after coming from Arsenal to Aston Villa but struggled for playing time under Wiegman, meaning her place is not a certainty. Jess Park is also an option there and is another young player who has impressed Wiegman in a handful of appearances.

England Squad – Players ready to be included:

keepers: Mary Earps, Ellie Roebuck

Defenders: Lucy Bronze, Millie Bright, Alex Greenwood, Jess Carter

midfielders: Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone

Forward: Alessia Russo, Rachel Daly, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Lauren Hemp

Probably: Hannah Hampton, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Maya Le Tissier, Niamh Charles, Jordan Nobbs, Laura Coombs

Can go either way: Esme Morgan, Katie Robinson, Jess Park, Katie Zelem, Nikita Parris, Bethany England, Lucy Parker, Emily Ramsey, Beth Mead