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The Lionesses had a final kick about this morning as they prepare to take on Haiti in their first match of the Women’s World Cup, with eager fans and pubs at home getting ready to cheer on the team.
The England squad has been Down Under in Australia training on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, with Chloe Kelly, Lucy Bronze and Alessia Russo are among the star players pictured.
Fans breathed a sigh of relief this morning, as the European championship team confirmed that captain Millie Bright would be playing in the squad’s first match after the team was plagued by a series of injuries.
‘We’re happy,’ coach Sarina Wiegman said from the training ground at Lang Park stadium in Brisbane this morning. ‘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.
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/21/10/73463699-12321143-image-a-25_1689930784632.jpg)
The Lionesses had a final kick about this morning as they prepare to take on Haiti in their first match of the Women’s World Cup
![It comes as England's captain Millie Bright was confirmed to be playing in the match against Haiti following her injury](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/21/10/73462477-12321143-image-a-14_1689930264987.jpg)
It comes as England’s captain Millie Bright was confirmed to be playing in the match against Haiti following her injury
![The England squad has been Down Under in Australia training on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, with Chloe Kelly, Ellie Roebuck (pictured) and Alessia Russo](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/21/10/73463697-12321143-image-a-26_1689930794601.jpg)
The England squad has been Down Under in Australia training on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, with Chloe Kelly, Ellie Roebuck (pictured) and Alessia Russo
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/21/10/73463489-12321143-image-a-18_1689930380507.jpg)
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/21/10/73463481-12321143-image-a-21_1689930512964.jpg)
![Excited fans took to social media this morning to wish the Lionesses an early good luck](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/21/10/73463483-12321143-image-a-17_1689930353937.jpg)
Excited fans took to social media this morning to wish the Lionesses an early good luck
It comes as eager fans in the UK prepare to see the Lionesses play tomorrow, with many hoping to see it coming home from pubs showing the match up and down the country.
One wrote on Twitter: ‘So excited to see the Lionesses play tomorrow. I’m with my girls all the way.’
Another said: ‘Bring it home – I need my sweepstake money.’
The British Beer and Pub Association called for fans to get down to boozers who are throwing their doors open early to screen matches.
Chief exec Emma McClarkin said: ‘We’re urging people to head to their local to watch England this summer.
‘Pubs are unrivalled in the camaraderie, atmosphere and passion they bring to watching live sport.
‘There’s nowhere better than the local to cheer on the Lionesses.’
She added: ‘We should celebrate the growth of women’s sport in the UK and the Euros-winning England team are spearheading the push towards greater equality in sport and we’re proud that pubs are playing a part in promoting the women’s game.
‘Let’s all get behind the Lionesses to go all the way once again.’
![The England squad has been Down Under in Australia training on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/21/10/73463707-12321143-image-a-27_1689930813571.jpg)
The England squad has been Down Under in Australia training on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland
![England continued their preparations ahead of their Women's World Cup opener with Haiti](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/20/19/73442251-12321143-image-a-13_1689878346050.jpg)
England continued their preparations ahead of their Women’s World Cup opener with Haiti
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/21/10/73463485-12321143-image-a-20_1689930464545.jpg)
![Pubs up and down the country will open early for fans to view the match against Haiti, while other businesses have been celebrating by selling World Cup themed items](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/21/10/73463487-12321143-image-a-19_1689930461761.jpg)
Pubs up and down the country will open early for fans to view the match against Haiti, while other businesses have been celebrating by selling World Cup themed items
To celebrate Hungry Horse pubs will give out free breakfast butties this weekend, while Green King’s Urban Bars chain will open early to show every England game with each venue giving away 10 Lioness shirts before next Friday’s clash with Denmark.
Victoria Mavin, who runs the Bellringer and Pool Dole inns in Stoke, Staffs, said: ‘It was an obvious decision to show the Women’s World Cup in both our pubs.
‘Equality in sport has come such a long way in recent years and women’s football in particular is great to watch.
‘We cannot wait to create a buzz around the event in the coming weeks.’
She said the Lionesses’ Wembley Euros glory and the men’s World Cup last year ‘brought the community together’.
Speaking today Bright said: ‘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. ‘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.
Goalkeepers Earps, Ellie Roebuck and Hannah Hampton also underwent drills at the training base. The England boss will also have to decide whether Russo or Rachel Daly starts up front, with Ellen White having retired following last summer’s Euros triumph.
Russo had been used as a super sub during the tournament, while Daly enjoyed a superb season at club level with Aston Villa.
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.
The Dutch coach added: ‘We’re here and we have a dream, and of course, there’s always a chance to win the World Cup. Many more countries can win the World Cup but of course we’re going to give our everything.’
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.
She added: ‘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?’
The Lionesses have insisted ahead of the tournament that their bonuses row with the Football Assocation will not impact their performances, after confirming on Tuesday that they had paused discussions with the governing body.
Talks with the FA broke down over the governing body paying players extra money on top of what they will receive from FIFA for taking part in the tournament before the squad flew out to Australia.
England open their World Cup campaign against Haiti on Saturday at the Brisbane Football Stadium.
The European champions will then head down to Sydney where they’ll take on Denmark at the Allianz Stadium on July 28.
Wiegman’s side wrap up their group stage campaign against China in Adelaide on August 1.
![Goalkeeper Mary Earps was among the England stars pictured during a gym session](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/20/19/73442345-12321143-image-a-11_1689878324506.jpg)
Goalkeeper Mary Earps was among the England stars pictured during a gym session
![Alessia Russo will hope she has done enough to earn a starting berth up front on Saturday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/20/19/73442301-12321143-image-a-10_1689878317394.jpg)
Alessia Russo will hope she has done enough to earn a starting berth up front on Saturday
![Lucy Bronze will be among the experienced players England will turn to during the World Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/20/19/73442277-12321143-image-a-9_1689878263542.jpg)
Lucy Bronze will be among the experienced players England will turn to during the World Cup
![Boss Sarina Wiegman oversaw one of the final training sessions before the opening match](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/20/19/73442587-12321143-image-a-15_1689878493055.jpg)
Boss Sarina Wiegman oversaw one of the final training sessions before the opening match
![Wiegman will hope centre back Millie Bright, left, will be fit to start England's opening match](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/20/19/73442599-12321143-image-a-17_1689878521313.jpg)
Wiegman will hope centre back Millie Bright, left, will be fit to start England’s opening match
![The England squad were put through their paces at the Spencer Park training base in Brisbane](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/20/19/73442585-12321143-image-a-14_1689878485482.jpg)
The England squad were put through their paces at the Spencer Park training base in Brisbane
![Goalkeepers Ellie Roebuck, left, and Mary Earps, right, were put through a series of drills](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/20/19/73442595-12321143-image-a-16_1689878501706.jpg)
Goalkeepers Ellie Roebuck, left, and Mary Earps, right, were put through a series of drills
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