England get their Women’s World Cup campaign underway with a Group D match against Haiti in Brisbane.
Sarina Wiegman’s European champions are among the favourites to go all the way in Australia and New Zealand despite being without a handful of key figures due to long-term injuries.
A friendly defeat to Australia in April ended a 30-game unbeaten run for the Lionesses under Wiegman, who led her native Netherlands to the 2019 World Cup final.
Haiti are making their debut in the tournament and could be buoyed by England’s recent struggles in front of goal. A goalless draw in a behind-closed-door friendly against Canada in their final warm-up match made it three games without finding the net.
England vs Haiti live score
| 1st Half | 2nd Half | Result | Goalscorers | |
| England | — | — | — | — |
| Haiti | — | — | — | — |
Starting lineups:
England (4-3-3, right to left): 1-Mary Earps (GK) — 2-Lucy Bronze, 6-Millie Bright, 5-Alex Greenwood, 16-Jess Carter — 8-Georgia Stanway, 4-Kiera Walsh, 10-Ella Toone — 18-Kelly, 23-Russo, 11-Lauren Hemp
Haiti (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1-Kerly Theus (GK) — 13-Betina Petit-Frere, 3-Jennyfer Limage, 4-Tabita Joseph, 20-Kethna Louis — 19-Dayana Pierre-Louis 9-Sherly Jeudy — 7-Batcheba Louis, 6-Melchie Dumornay, 10-Nerilia Mondesir — 22-Roselord Borgella
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England vs Haiti live updates, highlights from 2023 Women’s World Cup
2nd minute: Now the dangerwoman Dumornay gets in down the right channel and wins a corner. Very shakey start from the European champions.
1st minute: After a countdown from 10 where it sounded like the stadium announcer was about to combust. We’re underway. Early loose pass from Bright give Haiti an early opportunity to attack but Greenwood tidies up.
4 mins from kickoff: Here are the teams. Anthems time.
10 mins from kickoff: It’ll be all eyes on how well Bright pulls up as well after her spell on the sidelines. You’d imagine, if Williamson was fit and available, the Chelsea defender would be eased into the tournament but Wiegman no long feels that’s an option. Any hesitancy in the England defence will likely fall under the educated gaze of Melchie Dumornay, the 19-year-old Lyon attacking midfielder and Haiti’s star turn.
30 mins from kickoff: Wiegman’s show of faith in Russo feels like a significant call given Daly’s prolific recent form. Russo sealed a high-profile switch from Manchester United to Arsenal earlier this month and is one of the finest talents in the English game. However, the spot as Ellen White’s replacement at the point of the England attack still feels up for grabs. A goalless draw in their final warmup game, behind closed doors against Canada, meant three matches without finding the net for the European champions. Russo could certainly do with getting off to a flying start in the World Cup.
50 mins from kickoff: And this is the Haiti lineup. One change from boss Nicolas Delepine
Pour affronter l’ Angleterre ce soir Delépine a communiqué le 1er onze de la Sélection féminine dans une phase finale de Coupe du monde avec un seul changement par rapport à celui qui a joué le dernier match de préparation en C. du Sud, Bethina remplace Shelsea . pic.twitter.com/WqUgOdpeg7
— Fédération Haïtienne de Football (@fhfhaiti) July 22, 2023
1 hour from kickoff: Here’s the England team. Alessia Russo gets the nod to start up front ahead of WSL Golden Boot winner Rachel Daly. Ella Toone is preferred to Lauren James in attacking midfield. Millie Bright, who has replaced Williamson as captain for the tournament, starts at centre-back alongside Alex Greenwood despite not starting a competitive match since March due to knee surgery
Your #Lionesses for our first game of the tournament! 🏴 pic.twitter.com/npKM72s0sD
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 22, 2023
1hr 15 mins from kickoff: Aside from key absences, the other pre-tournament story framing England is the squad’s dispute with the FA over bonuses. Four days ahead of the Haiti game, a statement signed by all 24 members of the squad expressed “disappointment” that discussions with the governing body dating back to last year had not reached a resolution. Talks will now be paused and picked up once England’s participation in the World Cup has concluded.
“I think the players are feeling very empowered,” said defender Lucy Bronze. “I think it’s the first time as a player group we’ve actually ever sent the message out ourselves, that we’ve collectively done together and set our sights on.”
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1 hr 40 mins from kickoff: So, a year after winning Euro 2022 in an emotionally charged final against Germany at Wembley, can England double down on their sporting immortality by lifting the World Cup? Despite the short period of time elapsed, it’ll be a notably different Lionesses side going for glory in Australia and New Zealand.
Captain Leah Williamson and Euros Player of the Tournament Beth Mead are both out with serious knee injuries. Playmaker Fran Kirby is also sidelined, while England’s all-time top scorer Ellen White has retired and the identity of her best replacement at centre-forward is still not a consensus issue.
2 hours from kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage England’s Women’s World Cup against Haiti in Brisbane.
The wait is over. pic.twitter.com/6uOJ8Wl6BQ
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 21, 2023
England vs Haiti lineups, team news
Wiegman is without her captain Leah Williamson for the tournament, with fellow defender Millie Bright set to take the armband. Both Williamson and Fran Kirby are out with knee injuries while Euros Player of the Tournament and Golden Boot winner Beth Mead is also sidelined
England are expected to continue with their 4-3-3 shape. WSL Golden Boot winner Rachel Daly was pushing hard to start but Alessia Russo retains Wiegman’s faith at centre-forward for now.
England (4-3-3, right to left): 1-Mary Earps (GK) — 2-Lucy Bronze, 6-Millie Bright, 5-Alex Greenwood, 16-Jess Carter — 8-Georgia Stanway, 4-Kiera Walsh, 10-Ella Toone — 18-Kelly, 23-Russo, 11-Lauren Hemp
Melchie Dumornay will be the player to watch for Haiti. The 19-year-old has scored four times in her past four international appearances, including both goals that secured qualification ahead of Chile.
Haiti (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1-Kerly Theus (GK) — 13-Betina Petit-Frere, 3-Jennyfer Limage, 4-Tabita Joseph, 20-Kethna Louis — 19-Dayana Pierre-Louis 9-Sherly Jeudy — 7-Batcheba Louis, 6-Melchie Dumornay, 10-Nerilia Mondesir — 22-Roselord Borgella
What time is England vs Haiti?
England vs Haiti will kick-off at 7:30 p.m. local time in Brisbane. Here is how that translates to time zones in different regions around the world:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA | Sat, July 22 | 5:30 a.m. ET |
| Canada | Sat, July 22 | 5:30 a.m. ET |
| UK | Sat, July 22 | 10:30 a.m. BST |
| Australia | Sat, July 22 | 7:30 p.m. AEST |
| India | Sat, July 22 | 3 p.m. IST |
| Hong Kong | Sat, July 22 | 5:30 p.m. HKT |
| Malaysia | Sat, July 22 | 5:30 p.m. MYT |
| Singapore | Sat, July 22 | 5:30 p.m. SGT |
| New Zealand | Sat, July 22 | 9:30 p.m. NZST |
England vs Haiti live stream, TV channel
| TV channel | Streaming | |
|---|---|---|
| USA | FOX Network, Telemundo | Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, FOX Sports App, Peacock |
| UK | ITV 1, STV Scotland | ITVX, STV Player |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| Canada | TSN3, TSN4, TSN5 | TSN+, RDS App |
| Hong Kong | — | — |
| India | — | — |
| Malaysia | — | — |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport 1 | Sky Sport NOW, Sky GO NZ |
| Singapore | — | meWATCH, FIFA WWC CH01 |