Sarina Weigmann will announce her 23-man squad for the Women’s World Cup this afternoon; Ella Doone chats with Sky Sports News’ Anton Doluy about World Cup selection, England’s injuries and wanting to win it all; The Women’s World Cup starts on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand
By Anton Toloui, Sky Sports News reporter
6:56, UK, Wednesday 31 May 2023
The end of the season is usually a time of rest for professional soccer players, but Ella Dunne is eagerly awaiting the third season in a row.
The Manchester United midfielder will find out this afternoon whether he will be in England’s World Cup squad – the Olympics in 2021 and after the Euros last season he has become accustomed to.
„I’m excited, but it’s one of those days where you’re just waiting for the phone to ring,” Dunne said. Sky Sports News At the inauguration of a new pitch named in his honor as part of a government plan to launch thousands of new sports facilities.
Last year, Toone and the rest of the provisional squad were in camp at St George’s Park and were called one-on-one by head coach Sarina Wickman to know their fate.
This time, Dune will be waiting on the beach.
„Yeah, I’m pretty relaxed because most of us are on vacation, so Sarina may or may not ruin the vacation,” she joked.
„It was really hard last time because we were around each other. It was really hard, there were a lot of sweaty palms that day, but this time we’ll be on our own, on our days off, enjoying our well-deserved breaks. .”
England will be among the favorites in Australia and New Zealand this summer, but their preparations have been hampered by long-term injuries to captain Leah Williamson, Arsenal forward Beth Mead and Chelsea’s Fran Kirby.
Defenders Lucy France and Millie Bright are also coming back from knee surgery, but Dunne remains optimistic.
Manchester United forward Ella Dunne has told Soccer AM that she is „down” for Leah Williamson and hopes England will „do her proud” at the World Cup.
He explained: “We know they are massive players for us and a big part of our Euros winning team.
„Obviously, we’re gutted for both of them, which is not something you want to hear about a team-mate or any footballer, but we can’t dwell on it.
„We, as players, want to make them proud. It’s not the best news, they will be missed massively, but we have to go out there and make them proud.
„You have to focus on the squad you have and I think we’ve got a lot of talent.”
England left for Australia in early July and the players returned to training the month before.
Dunn admits the players won’t be taking much time away from the game, but plans to make the most of it to increase their chances of achieving more success this summer.
„We have two weeks and it’s important to get away from football mentally and physically.
„It’s going to be incredible, you dream as a little girl. I’ve just experienced the feeling of winning and I want more times.
„I’m hungry for more, I want to win everything, that’s the mentality I have. Last summer was unbelievable, this summer, we can go again and make the nation proud.”
What is the World Cup schedule?
Group level will begin July 20 And run within the two-week period ending August 3 And watch the group winners and runners-up advance to the round of 16 August 5 to do August 8.
The quarter-finals will be held in Wellington, Auckland, Brisbane and Sydney. August 11 and 12.
Then the first semi-final will be played August 15 In Auckland, another semi-final takes place August 16 The final will be played at Akkar Stadium in Sydney August 20.
A play-off for third place will take place the day before the final August 19 In Brisbane.