England in Lionesses’ World Cup squad

Bethany England has been named in the England squad for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup.

With the showpiece tournament, hosted by Australia and New Zealand, kicking-off in 50 days time (Thursday 20 July), Lionesses’ boss Sarina Wiegman has included Bethany in her 23-player contingent, seeing her become our first Women’s player to receive a call-up to an England World Cup squad.

Since arriving at Hotspur Way in January, the forward has been in sublime form in Lilywhite, scoring 12 goals in 12 Barclays Women’s Super League appearances as she finished as the second-highest English goalscorer in the WSL this term with 14 overall.

The striker - who has 11 goals in 21 England caps to date – was part of the Lionesses’ squad who triumphed at the UEFA Women’s European Championships last summer and links up with her international team-mates for what will be her maiden World Cup.

The current European champions get their preparations under way with a training camp in June before heading to Oceania for their Group D opener against Haiti at Lang Park, Australia on Saturday 22 July (kick-off 10.30am BST). They then face Denmark on Friday 28 July (kick-off 9.30am BST) before the final group game against China on Tuesday 1 August (kick-off 12pm BST).