By Lori Ewing
BRISBANE, Australia (Reuters) – Captain Millie Bright will play for England in their opening Women’s World Cup game against Haiti on Saturday, welcome news for a Lionesses squad ravaged by injuries in recent months.
“We’re happy,” coach Sarina Wiegman said on Friday at the Lang Park stadium in Brisbane. “This was the plan and the plan worked. So Millie is ready to play.”
The 29-year-old Bright has not played since suffering a knee injury in March, and there were concerns the imposing five-foot-nine Chelsea defender would not be sufficiently recovered to earn a spot on the World Cup squad at all.
Bright said she never lost faith.
“I think when you’re surrounded by the best people and I was very confident in my recovery, and yeah, I’ve been given absolutely everything that I needed to be in this position that I’m in,” Bright said. “I’m grateful that I’m able to play.”
Bright was appointed captain after her centre-back partner Leah Williamson suffered an ACL injury. England are also missing Beth Mead, Golden Boot winner at Euro 2022, and Fran Kirby, who are both among a virtual who’s who of women who did not make the trip because of knee injuries.
The Lionesses – ranked fourth, 49 spots above debutants Haiti – are among the favourites to win the World Cup as the reigning European champions. They also reeled off a 30-game unbeaten streak that was halted by a 2-0 loss to Australia in April.
“We’re here and we have a dream, and of course, there’s always a chance to win the World Cup,” Wiegman said. “Many more countries can win the World Cup but of course we’re going to give our everything.”
Bright, meanwhile, had called her injury during a gruelling professional playing schedule a blessing in disguise, her first break in years longer than just a couple of weeks.
“Personally, I just went day by day to start with,” she said of her recovery. “I think it’s important to be in the moment in the present and not look too far ahead. By doing that, I removed all the pressure of being fit almost, so day by day my head was in that place, that day.
“I’m always confident that I do absolutely everything I can for the team to put myself in the best position so I knew I’d ticked all the boxes in terms of my recovery.”
The Lionesses watched the tournament’s opening games on Thursday night, both tight 1-0 battles with Australia beating Ireland and New Zealand topping Norway for their first-ever World Cup win. Canada and Nigeria played to a 0-0 draw on Friday.
“What we’ve seen the last year too, and what see worldwide is that the game improves,” Wiegman said of the tight games. “The top teams improve, but the teams just beneath the top are improving very well too. And it gets closer and closer.
“That’s pretty exciting, isn’t it?”
While England had made headlines recently for their battle with the FA over bonuses, they paused their negotiations to focus on the tournament.
“Maybe you call it noise, there have been conversations. I haven’t noticed anything about that,” Wiegman said. “When we go on the pitch, we’re on the pitch and everyone is aligned and everyone is focused on football, and I haven’t seen any other behaviour.
“So yes, we are ready.”
Haiti’s captain, Nerilia Mondesir, said her team’s presence at the global tournament could have a “very big impact” on the Caribbean country reeling from gang violence and widespread hunger. Haiti was forced to hold training camp and games in the Dominican Republic because of the strife.
“The country is suffering at the moment and we’re trying with football to represent the country the best we can and give everything for this shirt, and try to help people think of something else other than all the troubles we have in the country,” Mondesir said.
England play Denmark on July 28 and China on Aug. 1.
(Reporting by Lori Ewing; editing by Robert Birsel)
