Steph Houghton unlikely to get Lionesses recall for 2023 World Cup

Sarina Wiegman has not ruled out the possibility of a Lionesses return for Steph Houghton but has admitted the chances of the former captain going to the 2023 World Cup are ‘not that high’.

Manchester City defender Houghton missed out on the trophy lift after the Lionesses confidently strode to Euro 2022 victory in the summer and has been one very notable name absent from Wiegman’s squad lists since her omission.

“Steph is a very good player, a very experienced player and I have a lot of respect for what she has done for the women’s game and she has come back in the squad for Man City,” Wiegman said, speaking to the press ahead of England’s game against Australia this week.

“But the players I have now in that position I don’t want to take out because I think they perform really well, that’s the reason why.

“So the chances are not that high [for Houghton to make World Cup squad], but I will never close the door. Because when you are in international football and you are England coach, you want everyone to be available, so if things happen for some players that situation changes. But at this moment, I make other choices.”

Wiegman praised Houghton who has 121 caps for England, saying she has ‘a lot of respect’ for the 34-year-old centre back, who struggled to make her way back into the England squad after an injury left her sidelined for an extended period of time.

“It is difficult because she has done so much for the game, it’s difficult with everyone because everyone trains so hard and so does she, she wants of course to come back. But we had some more players I really had to disappoint with the choices I made.”

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The head coach has more preferred to bring in young, hungry and bustling talent like Esme Morgan, Maya Le Tissier and Lotte Wubben-Moy over the experienced Houghton. Despite this, Wiegman has continued praise for Houghton and said that the door is never completely shut.

“It’s hard because you know how hard every player works to get into the squad. Sometimes you bring good news and sometimes not so good news. That’s part of the job. You want to do it as clear as possible but of course I find it hard too," the boss explained.

Wiegman’s comments came after Houghton spoke to the BBC over the weekend, with the former skipper saying she wanted closure over where she stood with England ahead of the World Cup.

“I’m back to where I want to be and I’m pushing for England,” Houghton told BBC Radio 5 Live. “Anything can happen so I just need to make sure I stay professional and I’m ready.”

Houghton was succeeded as captain in 2021 by fellow defender Leah Williamson who, since being given the armband, has lifted four trophies with England – two Arnold Clark Cups, Euro 2022 and, most recently, the first Womens Finalissima.

Houghton admitted that the ongoing omission from the England side has been mentally tough.

“If that moment doesn’t come over the summer, then I think I just need to re-evaluate everything I’ve done over the last year, because it has been mentally tough,” she explained. “I just want closure on the situation. Have I got a chance, or is it not possible? But, I understand she can’t provide that closure because there’s a World Cup coming up and you’ve got to have as many players available.

“I do respect her, for the conversations we’ve had, and I can’t complain because England are winning and they are developing the squad, but for me personally I know I could give something to the squad.”

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