Arsenal star out, but Chelsea wonderkid in for Lionesses - Wiegman's World Cup dilemmas

The European Champions met the Copa America champions, Brazil, in the first ever Women's Finalissima at Wembley Stadium last Thursday, winning on penalties.

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And the squad for the Lionesses' fixtures against Brazil and Australia is the final one before Wiegman must choose her 23-strong side to take to the World Cup.

Having beaten reigning champions USA in a friendly in October, they will go into the tournament full of hope, hoping to replicate their Euro 2022 success.

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But who will Wiegman decide are her best hopes of bringing home the trophy? talkSPORT.com takes a look.

Goalkeepers

Having conceded only two goals on their road to victory at Euro 2022, Mary Earps remains the favourite to start in goal for the Lionesses.

Manchester City's Ellie Roebuck is unlikely to challenge Earps for the starting slot but has surely done enough to secure her place in the squad.

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Wiegman recently recalled Aston Villa's Hannah Hampton, the third goalkeeper from the European Championship-winning squad, but she will be less certain of her spot on the team after missing the last three international camps.

Man City's Sandy McIver has impressed, while Everton's Emily Ramsey will be an outside challenger for the final spot too.

Performances in the final games of the Women's Super League will be crucial and Wiegman will probably weigh up experience and consistency to decide between Hampton and McIver.

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Defenders

Competition is no less fierce in defence, though the starters are likely to remain relatively unchanged from the European Championship.

Arsenal centre-back Leah Williamson has led from the front both on and off the pitch since assuming captaincy and she will be hoping to lead the Lionesses to victory down under.

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Chelsea's Millie Bright withdrew from the April camp through injury but, if fit, should start as the other centre-back this summer.

Two-time BBC Women's Footballer of the Year winner Lucy Bronze is another key player and the Barcelona right-back will be hoping to go all the way with the Lionesses at her third World Cup.

Alex Greenwood will be the main change from last summer's starting line-up having established herself as the Lionesses' left-back since Rachel Daly's attacking shift and the Man City defender's experience makes her a logical choice.

But if Wiegman is looking for a more versatile left-back, then Niamh Charles has proved there is no position she cannot play in what has been an outstanding Chelsea season for her as she hopes to make a first World Cup appearance.

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Strong seasons for Chelsea's Jess Carter, Manchester United's Maya Le Tissier and Manchester City's Esme Morgan could secure them a spot, but this could mean Arsenal's Lotte Wubben-Moy and new call-up Lucy Parker missing out.

Midfielders

Perhaps one of the most secure players in Wiegman's squad is playmaker Kiera Walsh, who became the most expensive women's player of all time after her £400,000 move to Barcelona last year.

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The duo of Bayern Munich's Georgia Stanway and Manchester United's Ella Toone have also proved instrumental to Sarina's starting midfield.

Chelsea's Fran Kirby has been struggling with injuries since February, but was crucial in the European Championship success and could still make a strong case for the squad despite her extended absence.

After cruel injuries ruled her out of the 2017 European Championship and the 2019 World Cup, Aston Villa's Jordan Nobbs has fought her way back into Wiegman's side and stellar club performances will make it hard to leave her out.

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Less certain are Manchester United captain Katie Zelem and 32-year-old Laura Coombs, who received an unexpected first England call-up after two years.

But the Man City midfielder's season justified it, and could well justify her place on the plane this summer.

In the end, everything could depend on Fran Kirby's fitness levels.

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Forwards

A devastating ACL-injury for Beth Mead means she is fighting a battle against time to have any chance of being fit before the tournament.

Not to mention the departure of record striker Ellen White last year which opened up the number 10 position for the Lionesses.

Her place will likely be filled by back-heel phenomenon Alessia Russo who has been prolific for Manchester United this season.

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Chloe Kelly, who scored the winning goal for the Lionesses in the Euro 2022 final, has maintained a good run of form and looks to have secured a place on the wing.

The other starting winger position will be contested between Manchester City's Lauren Hemp and defender-turned-forward Rachel Daly, who is having an exceptional season with Aston Villa, although both should make the squad.

Yet Chelsea youngster Lauren James has made herself impossible to leave out of Wiegman's side, most recently impressing in the Lionesses' Arnold Clark Cup victory with the promise of more to come.

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It looks as though Manchester United's Nikita Parris and Tottenham's Beth England will miss out, having not been called up to the April squad.

Everton's Jess Park, Brighton's Katie Robinson, Houston Dash's Ebony Salmon will make their case for a first World Cup appearance but at least one of them will likely have to wait to make their World Cup debuts.