Lionesses' World Cup group stage opponents as Euro champs look to build momentum
The Lionesses embark on their Women’s World Cup campaign in Australia and New Zealand less than two weeks and plenty of air time has been dedicated to the European champions’ chances of having another thrilling and historic summer.
England boss Sarina Wiegman has finalised her 23-player squad, and while a goalless draw with Portugal offered little in the way of cementing a starting XI, the potency of options available to the Dutch manager is encouraging.
Nevertheless, the route to the final on 21 August in Sydney will hardly be a straight forward romp, not least with the influx of elite-level teams at this year’s expanded tournament. The Lionesses are also notably without last summer’s raucous home support.
But Wiegman’s side tout a favourable path in Group D as they bid to build momentum and push into the tournament’s latter stages in their quest for a first-ever World Cup triumph.
The Mirror runs through England’s group stage opponents Haiti, Denmark and China below.
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The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup is set to be the most competitive version of the tournament yet (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)England v Haiti 22 July
Drawn into Group D, the Lionesses face Haiti in their first group stage match of the Women’s World Cup.
Haiti, who sit 53rd in Fifa’s rankings, will be making their Women’s World Cup debut under head coach Nicolas Delepine and while keen to make a memorable splash Down Under, the clash should offer a good opportunity for the Lionesses to hone their alchemy before more difficult opponents.
Centre-back Millie Bright in particular could benefit most from the match, having featured in a competitive environment for the first time in England’s send-off match against Portugal after going off injured in Chelsea ’s Champions League quarter-final first leg victory over Lyon in March.
Haiti boast an exciting young player in midfielder Melchie Dumornay. After impressing with Reims this year, the 19-year-old is set for a move to European giants Lyon on a three-year deal.
Kick-off: 10:30am live on ITV1
England v Denmark 28 July
Following plenty of recovery time from the first group stage match, a clash with Denmark awaits.
Ranked 13th in the world according to Fifa, this is the Danes’ first Women’s World Cup since 2007.
The team’s evolution into a cohesive European strength over the last few years has been impressive under manager Lars Søndergaard. Recent notable victories include Norway, Sweden and 2011 World Cup winners Japan.
The return from injury of attacker and creative spark Pernille Harder, now of Bayern Munich following her departure from Chelsea, will be a significant boost for Søndergaard as they look to push into the next round.
Kick-off: 9:30am live on BBCOne and BBCiPlayer
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Bayern Munich's Pernille Harder will captain Denmark at the 2023 Women's World Cup (Photo by Thor Wegner/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)England v China 1 August
A quick turnaround for Wiegman and co. as they face China in their final group stage clash.
Ranked 14th in the world according to Fifa, China will represent a surmountable but potentially tricky opponent. The 2022 Asia Cup winners know the exacting task ahead, but head coach Shui Qingxia has constructed a strong and unified core that will look to make life difficult for England in attack.
Racing Louisville winger Wang Shuang will also be one to keep an eye on. The 28-year-old has racked up more than 100 caps for China and has been pivotal in their recent success.
2023 is considered a “big test year” for China and qualification to the knockout rounds is viewed as the major goal at this year’s World Cup.
Kick-off: 12:00pm live on ITV1
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