England will be hoping to take another step towards qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 when they face North Macedonia in Skopje this evening.
The Lionesses currently top their qualification group with six wins out of six and they need a maximum of just seven points to make sure of their place on the plane to next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
This evening’s opponents North Macedonia have endured a difficult qualification campaign so far which has seen them collect just three points from an available 18. They have lost all three of their home fixtures, conceding 20 goals. North Macedonia’s last home fixture saw them go down 11-0 to Northern Ireland.
England defeated North Macedonia 8-0 in the reverse fixture in Southampton back in September. The Lionesses’ head coach Sarina Wiegman is likely to name another familiar line-up in Skopje this evening, although she is without several players. Steph Houghton and Fran Kirby both missed out on selection for the squad as a result of ongoing injuries while Niamh Charles and Beth England have remained at home after testing positive for COVID-19. Alex Greenwood and Lotte Wubben-Moy have returned to their respective clubs due to injuries while Leah Williamson is out with concussion. Head coach Wiegman will hand the captain’s armband to centre-back Millie Bright.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 qualifier between North Macedonia and England kicks-off at 7pm.