Arsenal star dropped as England announce squad for Brazil

England Women are the current European champions

Arsenal star dropped as England announce squad for Brazil

Kolawole Babatunde 15:05 - 28.03.2023

England announced their squad for their upcoming international friendlies against Brazil and Australia next month.

England Women's head coach, Sarina Wiegman, has announced a 25-woman squad for their upcoming games against Brazil and 2023 Women's World Cup co-hosts, Australia.

Chelsea's Lauren James and Arsenal’s Leah Williamson return to the set up, as the European champions look to solidify preparations for the World Cup. 

England Women are the current European champions
England Women are the current European champions

Four players dropped from England Squad from Arnold Clark Cup

Wiegman has left out four names from the squad that won the Arnold Clark Cup in February. Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben-Moy, Manchester United's Katie Zelem, the injured Emily Ramsey, and Houston Dash's Ebony Salmon are the players missing from their last game.

Millie Bright returns to the squad despite getting injured in the first half of Chelsea's first-leg Champions League quarter-final against Lyon last week and subsequently missing Chelsea's defeat to Manchester City.

Full squad: Mary Earps, Hannah Hampton, Sandy Maciver, Ellie Roebuck; Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Alex Greenwood, Maya Le Tissier, Esme Morgan, Lucy Parker, Leah Williamson; Laura Coombs, Jordan Nobbs, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Kiera Walsh; Rachel Daly, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Jess Park, Alessia Russo, and Katie Robinson

Lauren James was named player of the tournament in the Arnold Clark Cup
Lauren James was named player of the tournament in the Arnold Clark Cup

Lioness in hot form heading to World Cup

The Lionesses are favorites to lift the summer World Cup in Australia and New Zealand as they continue their hot streak, unbeaten in their last 27 games heading into the final international break.

The European champions will face their biggest opponents since lifting the Euro 2022 trophy over Germany last summer as they take on South American champions Brazil, currently ninth in the latest FIFA rankings.

The clash against As Canarinhas will take place at Wembley on April 6 before the Lionesses face Australia at Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium on April 11.

This double-header will set the stage for the summer's World Cup, and the Lionesses are viewed as one of the strong favorites to lift the trophy for the first time in their history.

Meanwhile, England won the Arnold Clark Cup in February with a 100 percent record. The Lionesses beat South Korea 4-0 in their first game before edging Italy 2-1 in the second game. 

Wiegman’s side recorded their most impressive win in the competition with a 6-1 victory over Belgium.

The Lionesses have won the first two editions of the Arnold Clark Cup and are unbeaten in the competition. Chelsea’s James was named player of the tournament, and the fans will hope she carries her good form into the World Cup.