20 August 2023 , 05:00
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A World Cup parade back home is in sight as England's Lionesses are on the brink of immortality as they gear up for the nation's first World Cup final since 1966 on Sunday.
Sarina Wiegman's squad booked their place in the final showpiece with an emphatic 3-1 win over co-hosts Australia earlier this week. They will now take on Spain, who beat Sweden 2-1 on Tuesday to reach their first World Cup final since the men won it in 2010.
It's the first time England or Spain's women's teams will contest a World Cup final and a new champions will be crowned following years of USA dominance in the competition. Fans are already daring to dream, but the current European champions will be under no illusion of just how tough Sunday's test will be given Spain were six minutes from knocking them out of last year's tournament at the quarter-final stage.
Should England lift the trophy, though, there will be plenty of celebration back home and the Lionesses will be rightfully commemorated for their achievements.
Widespread reports have already confirmed there will be no extra bank holiday if they are to win, despite calls for one. Any potential parade will also have to wait for the squad to return from Australia.
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The BBC's Emma Sanders reported on Thursday that there are plans for a parade in London on either Tuesday or Wednesday next week if England are to win, however, there has been no official communication on any plans as of yet.
Following their Euro triumph last year, the Lionesses were joined by thousands of fans in Trafalgar Square just a day after their victory over Germany at Wembley. According to the Evening Standard, City Hall has said any World Cup celebration plan will be led by the Football Association.
England take on Spain at 11am on Sunday UK time, which is 8pm local time in Sydney. The match will be broadcast live on BBC One and ITV1 and there are already plenty of plans to screen the event nation wide.
Victoria Park in London is set to host a 'super screening' of the event, while Birmingham City will show the final at St Andrew's prior to their free-to-attend pre-season friendly against Liverpool.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove has also reportedly written to councils asking them to do everything they can to get pubs open earlier on Sunday so fans can enjoy the final.