England Women's World Cup squad: Who is on the plane? Who has a nervous wait?

After England hit Belgium for six to retain the Arnold Clark Cup, focus now switches more firmly to the Women's World Cup and the question of who will make it into Sarina Wiegman's squad.

The Lionesses look certain to be among the leading contenders to lift the world title this summer, but what we can be less sure of is which 23 players will make it to Australia and New Zealand for the tournament that gets underway on July 20.

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February's camp – for which Wiegman selected an initial squad of 26 players, three more than she can name for the World Cup – saw the Dutchwoman experiment for Sunday's 2-1 victory over Italy, but she named what looked close to her strongest-available XI for February 16's opening victory over South Korea and similarly for Wednesday's 6-1 victory.

This gives weight to the idea that there are a cohort of first-choice players who can consider themselves as integral parts of Wiegman's plans, but what about beyond that? We look at the possible make-up of the squad.

On the plane

Within the core of the squad, it feels as though at least 14 players – fitness permitting – look virtually guaranteed to be packing their bags for the trip to Australia:

Lucy Bronze

Millie Bright

Leah Williamson

Alex Greenwood

Keira Walsh

Georgia Stanway

Lauren James

Alessia Russo

Chloe Kelly

Lauren Hemp

Rachel Daly

Ellie Roebuck

Going if they can prove their fitness

Then come two star players who join the above list if they are fully fit in time for the tournament finals: Fran Kirby and Beth Mead.

Kirby had to withdraw from February's camp with a knee problem, but has been in good form for Chelsea and should be going to the World Cup, all being well.

Mead suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in November and knows it will be touch-and-go as to whether she will be ready in time for England's opening match at the World Cup on July 22. It feels as though it might come slightly too soon, but the England staff are likely to give the Arsenal forward every possible chance to make it given her starring role in last summer's European Championships when she won the Golden Boot.

In the departures lounge

Chelsea defender Jess Carter started England's first two matches at this Arnold Clark Cup and came on at left-back in the second half against Belgium when Alex Greenwood was given a rest. That substantial portion of match minutes is an indicator of Carter being prominent in Wiegman's thoughts. Wiegman was trying out different combinations in her back-line and Carter's versatility will serve her cause well.

Manchester United midfielder Katie Zelem also feels very likely to be in the 23, having been regularly selected in squads by Wiegman throughout her tenure, even if not starting international games all too frequently. If England lack depth anywhere it is in central midfield and Zelem can provide much-needed cover.

And Manchester City's Sandy MacIver looks increasingly set to fill the third goalkeeper slot.

Awaiting boarding passes

The quintet of Lotte Wubben-Moy, Niamh Charles, Maya Le Tissier, Ebony Salmon and Jess Park were all given chances on the pitch during the Arnold Clark Cup and while none of them played poorly, none of them necessarily dazzled either, so they cannot afford to be complacent.

Of the five, Houston Dash forward Salmon played the fewest minutes - nine, late on against Italy – but that might be simply because her club season has not started yet in America so she perhaps should not be expected to be at peak fitness right now during what is essentially the early stages of her pre-season.

Le Tissier looked solid at right-back at the CBS Arena, while Arsenal defender Wubben-Moy has the most experience of this unofficial group, yet none of these players will feel certain that they're going to Australia yet.

Getting closer to the airport

Before February's international window, Katie Robinson and Laura Coombs were probably considered major outsiders to go to the World Cup, but their odds are improving. Robinson, the 20-year-old Brighton youngster, took her chance well on the wing against Italy, creating the opening goal.

Meanwhile Coombs, who had not played for her country for eight years and had not even had a call-up since 2020, admitted in a press conference at St George's Park that she had stopped thinking about international football because she had been out of the squad for so long, but her form for Manchester City this season and her steady performances in the Arnold Clark Cup have helped thrust her into contention as a back-up midfielder.

Wiegman said after Wednesday's game that she was “pretty positive” about how Coombs had got on. At 32, she is the oldest member of the current squad.

Waiting nervously

Then there is a quartet with plenty of work to do. Jordan Nobbs has been in strong form for Aston Villa and received a huge roar from the Coventry crowd when she came off the bench against Italy on Sunday – the loudest for any substitute. Yet she was only added to February's squad as an injury replacement for Kirby and, given that the current squad of 26 needs to be whittled down to 23, she will have to play very well for the rest of the season to move up Wiegman's pecking order.

Beth England and Nikita Parris were both overlooked by Wiegman for this camp, and given how well the forwards who were selected have played in the past three matches, they may understandably be fearing they will miss out.

Esme Morgan was deemed not quite fit enough for a call-up in this camp after recovering from an injury, but might get her chance in April.

Out of favour

Former England captain Steph Houghton was not selected for last summer's Euros, despite being on an initial long list for that tournament and has not been called up by Wiegman since.

Her lengthy, admirable service to the team across 121 caps, including reaching three consecutive major tournament semi-finals, arguably deserved more of a look-in but it seems there is very little room for sentiment within Wiegman's approach to selection, as she picks on form and fitness. Therefore, with a high number of young centre-backs coming through strongly too, it feels unlikely that Houghton will play for England again under Wiegman.

Back-up options

Additionally, several players have an outside chance of a call-up in the unwanted event of an availability crisis for Wiegman in a certain position, including some stars of the current under-23s squad who could step up if required.

Emily Ramsey – Was called up for February but had to leave the camp with an ankle problem. Fourth-choice keeper.

Gabby George – Playing well for Everton at left-back but England look fairly stacked in that position right now.

Leah Galton – Having a terrific season on the wing for Manchester United but the Lionesses are not short of top forwards.

Anna Patten – Steady at the back for England's Under-23s and was entrusted with post-match media duties after their latest win, highlighted her seniority within that young squad.

Aggie Beever-Jones – The star of the show in England Under-23s' 4-1 win over Belgium on Monday. One day she'll surely be a senior England star but, for now, this World Cup feels a bit too soon in her development.

Missy Bo Kearns – Another impressive talent within the Under-23s group who looks capable of stepping up if there are midfield injuries.

England Women's World Cup squad: Our Predicted 23

Goalkeepers: Earps, Roebuck, MacIver

Defenders: Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Greenwood, Carter, Wubben-Moy, Le Tissier

Midfielders: Walsh, Stanway, Toone, Kirby, Coombs, Zelem

Forwards: James, Russo, Kelly, Hemp, Daly, Salmon, Robinson*

*If Beth Mead recovers from her ACL in time, which feels like a big if at the moment, then Mead would be in this list of 23 instead of Robinson.