England to win Women’s World Cup 2023 odds: Confirmed squad, best players, predicted line-up and form

European champions England look to take the world crown when they face Spain in the Women’s World Cup final.

Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses won the European Championship last year, beating Germany 2-1 in extra time at Wembley to secure the women’s national team’s first major trophy.

This Sunday, England can become just the third nation to win the European Championships and the World Cup in consecutive tournaments, after Norway (1993 & 1995) and Germany (2005 & 2007). Head coach Sarina Wiegman herself can make it back-to-back World Cup finals, after leading the Netherlands to second place in 2019. 

Latest England odds to win the Women’s World Cup

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England tactical analysis & formation at the World Cup

For most of her spell as England manager, Sarina Wiegman has opted for a recognisable 4-3-3. Or a slight 4-2-3-1 variation, with a double pivot and one more advanced central midfielder. At last summer’s European Championships, the No.10 was Fran Kirby but she is one of a few players to miss out due to injury, alongside Beth Mead and Leah Williamson, so Ella Toone was chosen to replace her as the starter.

However, the four-player defence only lasted two games at the World Cup after England were forced into a reshuffle following Kiera Walsh’s injury. The plan was to switch to a 3-5-2, packing the midfield and bringing Lauren James into a more attacking central role, with Katie Zelem and Georgia Stanway offering the protection. England won 6-1 and the Wiegman stuck with the new system when Walsh returned for the next game, reclaiming her spot from Zelem.

Toone replaced James after her red card against Nigeria, but the 3-5-2 has been a clear favourite. As well has giving Alessia Russo an attacking partner in Lauren Hemp, which means she can get more involved in hold-up and passing play without hurting England’s attacking chances, the back three has created England’s most solid defence.

Jess Carter joined captain Millie Bright and Alex Greenwood and together the trio perfectly cover all the bases you need in a defence. You’ve got the passing range of Greenwood, the physical presence of Bright and Carter’s one-on-one defending ability — but they can all do a bit of everything too. The back three also allows Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly get further forward as wing-backs, without putting England in too much danger.

One win away from the World Cup, Wiegman has been receiving a lot of plaudits for her work with England. The spotlight very much shines on the fact that she has now reached the European Championship and World Cup finals with two different nations, also doing so with Netherlands in 2017 and 2019 respectively. Of course, with more success comes increased interest from elsewhere and the United States are reportedly sniffing around, looking at Wiegman as a potential replacement for Vlatko Andonovski, whose future is in doubt after the USWNT’s last-16 exit.

But England aren’t willing to listen to any offers.

“From our side, she’s someone we’d like to have with us for a very long time,” FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said.

“We have always said that we’d get to it after a tournament. We had good conversations after the Euros, there will be an appropriate time to do it.

“We’ve got a bit of time, because obviously she’s contracted to 2025, and she’ll obviously want to have a decent holiday after this. But all I’ll say is we’re massive fans of her.

“We believe she’s happy and we’d love to continue working with her for a long time.”

And when asked specifically if the FA would reject an approach from the USWNT, Bullingham replied: “Yes, 100 per cent.

“It is not about money. We are very, very happy with her and we feel she is happy. I think that is the answer.

“We’ve seen lots of rumours and, look, she is a special talent. We know that. From our side, she’s obviously contracted through until 2025.

“We think she’s doing a great job. We’re obviously huge supporters of her and I think, hopefully, she feels the same way.”

Well, what about the England men’s team?

“Firstly, I think it’s a bit disrespectful of the Lionesses, to project [managing the men] as a step up,” Bullingham said.

“People always say it is the best man for the job or the best Englishman. Why does it have to be a man?

“I think our answer is always that it’s the best person for the job. We think Sarina is doing a great job and hope she continues doing it for a long time. I think Sarina could do anything she wants in football.”

England players to watch at this year’s Women’s World Cup

England World Cup Golden Boot contenders – Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp and Lauren James

With Ellen White now retired and last year’s Euro 2022 top scorer Beth Mead sidelined with a long-term ACL injury, Wiegman had a few issues up front. Having been persistently overlooked, in-form Tottenham striker Bethany England received a call-up while Alessia Russo was buoyed by her recent move to Arsenal. After a slow start to the tournament, Russo has now scored three goals at the World Cup, netting in the victories over China, Colombia and Australia. Her partnership with Lauren Hemp, who also has three goals, has been key for England.

Alessia Russo is 33/1 to win the Golden Boot with bet365 but would not only need two goals but also as many assists in the final to win the award. This is because Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa has five goals and one assist. If players are level on goals at the end of the tournament Fifa gives the award to whoever has more assists. Minutes played is the secondary tie-breaker.

At 40/1 with bet365 to win the Golden Boot, James (3 goals, 3 assists) might have a better chance but that depends on whether she starts.

England player to watch – Ella Toone

Manchester United pushed Chelsea all the way in the WSL title race last season, and a big reason for that was Ella Toone. The 23-year-old forward famously broke the deadlock in last year’s Euro 2022 final and produced something similar in April’s penalty shootout win over Brazil in the 2023 Finalissima. Beyond her scoring prowess, though, lurks an ingenious and instinctive creator, a notion backed up by her eight assists in the 2022/23 WSL season — only four players managed more. She was Wiegman’s talismanic force in the final third as a sub last summer but turned up when England needed her against Australia.

England’s route to the Women’s World Cup Final

Group Stage results

England’s knockout stage journey

As Group D winners, England were drawn against Group B runners-up Nigeria in the last 16 and the Lionesses needed penalties to knock out the Super Falcons after a poor performance. Their reward for getting through is a quarter-final tie against Colombia, who had knocked out Jamaica.

The South American nation fell 2-1 and then in the semi-finals, co-hosts Australia were beaten 3-1 as the Lionesses reached a first ever Women’s World Cup final.

Confirmed England Women’s World Cup squad

Where are England in the FIFA world rankings?

England are currently fourth in the FIFA world rankings with only USA, Germany and Sweden ahead of them.

Who is the England manager?

Sarina Wiegman was named England manager in August 2020, replacing Phil Neville.

Who is the current England captain?

Millie Bright will be captaining England for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, taking the armband from the injured Leah Williamson.

How many times have England won the World Cup?

England are yet to win the World Cup, finishing fourth in last tournament’s showpiece (2019) and third the competition prior (2015).

How many times have England competed in the World Cup?

Making their first appearance in 1995, England have been involved in six World Cups including the 2023 edition.

Who has scored England’s most goals in World Cup tournaments?

Ellen White is England’s top scorer at World Cup tournaments, netting seven goals, six of which came in 2019.

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