England open their World Cup campaign on Saturday in an unfamiliar position. The Lionesses have reached the semi-finals of the past four major tournaments but winning the Euros last summer has established them as serious contenders on the world stage. They are now justifiably seen as favourites for the World Cup.
This is despite the fact England are without four of their starters from last year’s final. Ellen White’s retirement has been compounded by ACL injuries for Beth Mead and captain Leah Williamson, as well as knee problems for Fran Kirby. That means the side that lines up against Haiti on Saturday will look very different from the one that lifted the trophy at Wembley.
However, it is a reflection of England’s strength and depth that their injury problems should not be considered insurmountable. When gaps in the side have arisen, others have been well-placed to step into those players’ boots. Euros super-subs Ella Toone, Alessia Russo, and Chloe Kelly will all have important roles. Meanwhile, the experienced Millie Bright has been named captain in Williamson’s absence and younger players such as Lauren James have given the squad a refresh.
If the injuries had not been unsettling enough, England have also been forced to deal with negotiating with the Football Association in the lead-up to the tournament. The Lionesses have been unhappy about how bonuses would be paid out. The FA took Fifa's suggestion that federations distribute prize money as relieving it of its obligation to pay players bonuses itself. The FA also significantly limited the time period for which players were permitted to participate in commercial opportunities, restricting their earning potential. The England team agreed to put discussions on hold but expressed ‘disappointment’ at the way conversations had gone.
At a time when the England women’s team have achieved more than they ever have before, they have been left in the lurch by a federation that has repeatedly undervalued them in the past. If the FA wants to continue to position itself as a leader in global women’s football, this is not the best way to go about it.
England will need now to put those concerns to one side and focus on what is in front of them. Their group is not overly tough but is also not without potential banana skins, and getting off to a confident start will be key. With opponents ranked 53rd in the world, England would love for this to be a comfortable win against Haiti on Saturday.
