England head coach Sarina Wiegman says that she is getting closer to knowing her starting XI for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Lionesses have just two warm-up matches to play before their opening match of the tournament against Haiti on 22 July 2023.
England return to action for the first time since April when they face Portugal in an international friendly at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes this afternoon. When speaking in the pre-match press conference, England boss Wiegman said that she still has one or two selection dilemmas but she is getting closer to knowing her starting XI for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“We are getting closer but we are still trying out some things and there are still a few positions where competition is going on,” Wiegman said. “That’s why we need these two games (against Portugal and Canada).
“It could also be a case that the starting XI is not very clear and we make another tactical decision in the next game or start another player.
“It’s not totally clear but of course, we are getting closer.”
England face a Portuguese side who are set to make their FIFA Women’s World Cup debut in Australia and New Zealand later this month. Portugal are 17 places below the Lionesses in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings but Wiegman still expects her side to be tested.
She said “They are preparing to go to a World Cup for the first time. They’re a team that want to play tactical, play a possession game and they are not afraid to play the long ball too. They’ve got some speed upfront and have players who can do unpredictable things. They’ve also got a style of play that we haven’t experienced yet.
“We will be challenged and for us, it is the first game after having a break, after the season and after two weeks of training. We are getting ready (for the World Cup).”
England’s international friendly against Portugal kicks-off at 3.15pm. The game is a complete sell-out with no further tickets expected to be made available.
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