England WU17s' World Cup squad selected
Young Lionesses all set for the 2024 FIFA Women's U17 World Cup in Dominican Republic
INSPIRED? FIND A GIRLS' CLUB
The Young Lionesses made history back in May by becoming the first England side to reach the UEFA European Women’s Under-17 Championship final, qualifying for the World Cup for only the third time in history. England, along with Poland and Spain, will be UEFA’s three representatives at the World Cup taking place between 16 October and 3 November.
England last appeared in a FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in 2016, with a squad that featured Niamh Charles, Ellie Roebuck, Alessia Russo, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone and Lotte Wubben-Moy. Fans back home will be able to watch how the next generation perform with the matches streamed live via the FIFA+ platform.
Henderson said: “We’re really proud to qualify for a World Cup and we’re very excited as a group of staff and players to represent England and compete against some of the top teams in the world.
“Playing in a World Cup, at any age, is a terrific experience for our young players, both on and off the pitch, and something we strive for within our pathway.
"Being away from home for an extended period of time, playing against other nations and experiencing different football styles, whilst having to cope with that added level of pressure, are all challenges the squad are excited for. We want to go and show the world what we can do and enjoy every moment along the way.”
The Young Lionesses who will travel first for a prep camp in Miami next week, will begin their bid to become world champions against Kenya, before facing Mexico and two-time winners Korea DPR in Group C of the competition. There are four groups in the tournament, with the top two from each progressing through to the knockout stage. The final will take place on Sunday 3 November in Santo Domingo.
England v Kenya
Friday 18 October
00:00 BST KO, CFC Stadium, Santiago de los Caballeros
England v Mexico
Monday 21 October
00:00 BST KO, CFC Stadium, Santiago de los Caballeros
England v Korea DPR
Thursday 24 October
00:00 BST KO, CFC Stadium, Santiago de los Caballeros
The Squad
Goalkeepers: Rebekah Dowsett (Leicester City), Hope McSheffrey (Arsenal), Eva Spencer (Liverpool)
Defenders: Eva Gray (Arsenal), Sophie Harwood (Arsenal), Nelly Las (Leicester City), Rachel Maltby (Aston Villa), Niamh Peacock (Arsenal), Zara Shaw (Liverpool), Simone Sherwood (Leicester City), Cecily Wellesley-Smith (Arsenal/Oxford United)
Midfielders: Emily Cassap (Sunderland), Laila Harbert (Arsenal), Vera Jones (Chelsea), Omotara Junaid (Arsenal), Erica Parkinson (FC Valadares)
Forwards: Lola Brown (Chelsea), Isabella Fisher (Arsenal/Ipswich Town), Olivia Johnson (Brighton & Hove Albion)* Jane Oboavwoduo (Manchester City), Lauryn Thompson (Indy Eleven)
* Replaces Denny Draper (Leicester City) who is withdrawn injured