England begin their qualifying campaign for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia New Zealand 2023 tomorrow night when they face North Macedonia at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton.
The Lionesses have a home EUROs to look forward to next summer but the shift temporarily moves to qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, a tournament which kicks-off in less than two years’ time.
New England head coach Sarina Wiegman will be in the dugout for the very first time in Southampton. She has been tasked with the job of turning around the Lionesses’ stuttering form which dates back to the conclusion of the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019. England have won just four of their 12 matches since finishing in fourth place in France.
Utility player Rachel Daly will not be available for selection due to family matters while attacker Fran Kirby is a big fitness doubt and may not be risked.
England’s opponents North Macedonia arrive in Southampton a whopping 123 places below the Lionesses in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings. This will be The Red Lions’ third FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign, they have conceded 142 goals in their previous 18 qualifying matches and have managed to record just one draw which came in an away fixture against Estonia in 2014. Kiril Izov’s side are currently on a four-game losing streak and they were defeated 1-0 by Bosnia-Herzegovina last time out.
North Macedonian captain Nataša Andonova is the nation’s star player. She is her country’s record goalscorer while she is one of just a couple of players who play outside of North Macedonia with Andonova on the books of Levante.
England’s opening FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia New Zealand 2023 qualifier against North Macedonia in Southampton kicks-off at 7pm tomorrow night. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.