England squad already looks 99% chosen for Euro 2022
England manager Sarina Wiegman named almost exactly the same Lionesses squad for April’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against North Macedonia and Northern Ireland as she previously did for the triumphant Arnold Clark Cup in February.
The only change in the 24-player group sees Fran Kirby, who has recently been afforded a period of rest at club level with Chelsea to combat fatigue, replaced by Bethany England.
Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy also returns to the squad after originally being named for the Arnold Clark Cup before being forced to withdraw through injury.
Still just over three months out from Euro 2022 and with four games left to play in April and June, the almost total lack of change between squads suggests that Wiegman has already largely settled on the group of players she will be taking to the final tournament.
Places in the starting lineup are still absolutely up for grabs between now and the time England face Austria at Old Trafford in the opening game on 6 July, with the likes of Ella Toone and Alessia Russo pushing more established names like Ellen White and the aforementioned Kirby. That was also highlighted by the rotational approach favoured at the Arnold Clark Cup.
But the overall makeup of the squad as a whole seems increasingly unlikely to change much at all. The assumption would be that Kirby will return to the fold before the tournament once suitably rested, with Chelsea teammate England the most likely to drop out as a result after a relative lack of consistent opportunities at club level this season.
One further name would still have to be cut from the 24-player group to meet tournament squad size rules, most likely to be a defender with as many as nine included in the April squad. However, only unforeseen injuries ahead of Euro 2022 would be the cause of any major changes now.
Predicted final 23-player England squad for Euro 2022
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Man Utd), Hannah Hampton (Aston Villa), Ellie Roebuck (Man City).
Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Man City), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Alex Greenwood (Man City), Demi Stokes (Man City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal).
Midfielders: Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Jill Scott (Aston Villa), Georgia Stanway (Man City), Keira Walsh (Man City), Katie Zelem (Man Utd).
Forwards: Lauren Hemp (Man City), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Man Utd), Ella Toone (Man Utd), Ellen White (Man City).
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