The Lionesses have cemented themselves as second-favourites to win the World Cup behind defending champions, the USA.
But one ex-Lioness told talkSPORT she’s worried England could find it difficult to overcome their lower-ranked group opponents.
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England kick off their World Cup campaign on Saturday as they aim to get out of Group D, with Sarina Wiegman’s side set to go up against China, Denmark and Haiti.
Last summer’s impressive European Championship win has placed an expectation upon the shoulders of the Lionesses to go and win the World Cup for the first time.
But despite this, former England Women’s forward Rachel Yankey believes her former side shouldn’t underestimate those they’ll be coming up against in the group stages – particularly newcomers Haiti.
“I think it’s still quite a hard group to get out of,” Yankey, who made 129 appearances for England, told talkSPORT.
“Haiti is unknown. And also they’ve got nothing to lose. They’re going out and playing against the European Champions – they’ve got everything to gain. And that, for me, in the first game I don’t like that.
“I’d rather play Denmark as a first game because you know more about Denmark, you’re used to playing a European side.”
However, Yankey’s ex-England teammate Lianne Sanderson has a different view on their chances of making it out of Group D.
“I think we should win this group pretty comfortably,” she told talkSPORT’s Women’s World Cup Preview Show. “If we can’t beat Haiti, China and Denmark, then I think questions have to be asked.”
So how much of a threat do each of England’s group opponents pose? talkSPORT.com takes a look…
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Table of Contents
Haiti
After a shock defeat over Chile in a playoff game in February, Haiti clinched one of the final spots at the World Cup.
Ranked 53rd in the world, this is the first appearance by any Haitian team – male or female – at a World Cup since the men’s team qualified in 1974.
Haiti’s journey against a backdrop of strife has been nothing short of inspirational – the country is currently embroiled in gang violence and the population is still reeling from devastating earthquakes which killed hundreds of thousands in 2010 and 2021.
The President of the Haitian Football Federation was also handed a lifetime ban by FIFA in 2020 for alleged harassment and sexual abuse of underage female footballers, which was then overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
FIFA has since filed a complaint against this ruling.
Amidst all this, the Haitian women’s squad are determined to do one thing: inspire a generation of girls to follow in their footsteps.
Whatever happens, they know they are making history.
Goalkeeper Kerly Theus told the BBC: “‘This message is specifically for the girls in Haiti: ‘Keep pushing, keep driving and this moment, you’ll have it too when it’s your time’.”
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Player to watch: Melchie Dumornay
She may be just 19 years old, but Melchie Dumornay has already been signed by French title holders and eight-time Champions League winners Lyon.
Having scored both goals for Haiti in their playoff victory over Chile, the midfielder is being hailed as their star player.
Haitian coach Nicolas Delepine told FIFA in an interview that Dumornay gives Haiti their ‘X-factor’, so if anyone can cause an upset in Group D, it will surely be the young prodigy.
England take on Haiti in Brisbane live on talkSPORT at 10:30am on Saturday 22 July.
See also 'You need that': Paul Merson names the two positions Chelsea need to strengthen this summer
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Denmark
Denmark, ranked 13th place, have not qualified for the Women’s World Cup since 2007.
They have never made it past the quarter finals at a World Cup, but are hoping experienced coach Lars Sondergaard can lead them all the way.
England have played Denmark 17 times, of which Denmark have won six and drawn three.
When they last met at a friendly in 2019, England won 2-0.
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Player to watch: Pernille Harder
Amazingly, Denmark’s captain and all-time leading goalscorer has never featured at a World Cup before.
Having won the domestic double with Chelsea all three seasons she has been at the club, the forward recently made the move to Bayern Munich.
While her collection of club trophies is impressive, she will now be hoping to open her international trophy account with Denmark.
England travel to Sydney to play Denmark at 9:30am live on talkSPORT 2 on Friday 28 July.
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China
China’s best result at a World Cup was their second place finish in 1999, when they lost to the USA.
Ranked 14th in the world, they are the current holders of the Asian Cup and will be desperately hoping to edge out either England or Denmark to make it out of the group.
China have played England five times, having won three and drawn one – but at their most recent meeting in 2015, it was England who prevailed 2-1.
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Player to watch: Wang Shanshan
China’s captain brings a wealth of experience to her third World Cup, and she is both a skilled centre-back as well as a dangerous striker.
The 33-year-old is in great form, and became China’s joint top scorer at the 2022 Asian Cup where she was also named Player of the Tournament.
This final group game for England in Adelaide is live on talkSPORT 2 on Tuesday August 1 at 12:00pm UK time.
You can follow live commentary of the 2023 Women’s World Cup on the talkSPORT network, with our coverage kicking off on Saturday with England vs Haiti on talkSPORT at 10.30am
