Lionesses Take Step Closer to World Cup but Do Not Look Like They Can Win It

**Lead**

The Lionesses have edged another step closer to the Women’s World Cup, securing their place at the tournament with a series of qualifying victories. Yet for all the optimism that followed their historic European Championship triumph in 2022, a growing number of analysts and former players are voicing a pointed concern: this team, as it stands, does not look like a side that can go all the way and lift the World Cup. The gap between hope and reality is widening, and it demands an honest reckoning.

**Context**

England’s women have enjoyed a remarkable rise under head coach Sarina Wiegman. The Euro 2022 victory on home soil transformed the profile of the women’s game in the United Kingdom and instilled a belief that the Lionesses could finally end a decades-long wait for a global title. Their journey to the World Cup has been steady – they topped their qualifying group with relative ease, demonstrating the kind of professional consistency that Wiegman has instilled. However, the path from qualification to lifting the trophy is fraught with obstacles that the current squad appears ill-equipped to overcome.

The team that triumphed in 2022 was built on a core of players who are now either injured, out of form, or absent. Captain Leah Williamson, a rock in defence, has been sidelined for an extended period. Beth Mead, the Golden Boot winner at the Euros, has also been unavailable for key matches. The absence of these two pillars has forced Wiegman to experiment with different formations and personnel, and the results have been mixed. In recent friendlies and qualifiers, England have struggled to impose the same authority they showed at the Euros. They have won, but rarely convincingly, and against stronger opposition the flaws have been exposed.

Moreover, the World Cup field has never been deeper. The United States, winners of the last two tournaments, remain a powerhouse with a blend of experience and emerging talent. Sweden, runners-up at the Tokyo Olympics and consistently a top-four side, look physically and tactically prepared. Germany, beaten in the Euro final, have regrouped and are hungry for redemption. Australia, playing on home soil, will have a formidable advantage. And then there are dark horses such as France and Spain, both of whom have shown they can match England in technique and organisation. The Lionesses, once seen as favourites, now appear to be merely part of a crowded chasing pack.

**Analysis**

Why, then, do the Lionesses not look like winners? The most immediate issue is the lack of a reliable goalscoring focal point. Ellen White, the all-time leading scorer, retired after the Euros. While players like Alessia Russo and Rachel Daly have stepped up, neither has consistently replicated White’s predatory instinct at the highest level. In tight knockout matches, goals are often scarce, and a team that cannot convert chances will be punished. The midfield, once the engine room of the side, has also lost some of its creativity. The reliance on a single style of play – high pressing and fast transitions – can be neutralised by well-drilled opponents who sit deep and counter.

Defensively, the injuries to Williamson and to Millie Bright have forced Wiegman to patch together a backline that lacks the same understanding. The communication and leadership that characterised the Euro-winning defence have been diluted. In high-stakes games, defensive lapses are magnified. The Lionesses have conceded goals that in previous campaigns would have been unthinkable. Against sides like Sweden and Norway, errors at the back have led to defeats that were not reflected in the scoreline but revealed structural weaknesses.

Tactically, there is a sense that other nations have caught up. The women’s game has evolved rapidly. Teams are now more physical, more technically proficient, and better organised than ever before. England’s advantage in fitness and set‑piece execution – key to their Euro success – has been eroded. Opponents have studied their methods and found ways to disrupt them. The Lionesses’ performances in recent high‑profile friendlies have been laboured, with possession often sterile and penetration lacking. The World Cup is not won on reputation alone; it demands a team that is peaking at the right moment. Currently, the momentum is not with England.

Furthermore, the mental burden of expectation cannot be underestimated. As European champions, every opponent will raise their game against the Lionesses. The scrutiny from the British media and the public is intense. The squad now carries the weight of being hunted rather than hunters. This shift in dynamic can affect decision‑making and composure in crucial moments. History shows that many pre‑tournament favourites have stumbled precisely because they could not handle the pressure.

**Sources**

The analysis draws on observations from reputable football journalists at BBC Sport and The Guardian, as well as comments from former England internationals such as Karen Carney and Fara Williams, who have discussed the team’s form on podcasts and television programmes. No direct quotes have been invented. The assessment of the competitive landscape is based on reports from FIFA’s rankings and in‑depth tactical reviews published by The Athletic. The performances in recent matches, including the qualifiers and the Arnold Clark Cup, have been covered by mainstream UK media outlets.