The Arnold Clark Cup is back for a second edition, albeit with less notable teams than the first. Last year, Euro champions England beat reigning Olympic champions Canada, as well as two other top 10 international sides in Germany and Spain.
Fifteenth-ranked South Korea are the highest-ranked side in the 2023 competition, which runs at the same time as other invitational tournaments like the American SheBelieves Cup.
Belgium and Italy are also involved in the Arnold Clark Cup, which some view as the start of the Lionesses’ preparation for this summer’s 2023 World Cup. Games will be played across Milton Keynes, Coventry and Bristol.
When are England playing?
The tournament is divided into three double-headers across six days. The first takes place on Thursday 16 February, when Sarina Wiegman’s side face South Korea at Stadium MK, likely to be their toughest test. However, with usual captain and Spurs midfielder Cho So-hyun injured, the Asian Cup runners-up only have two players at clubs outside South Korea – Brighton duo Lee Geum-min and Park Ye-eun.
The Lionesses then face Italy at Coventry’s CBS Arena on Sunday 19 February. Italy are ranked 17th in the world and have only one player in their squad who plies their trade outside of Italy – Everton midfielder Aurora Galli.
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Anything less than three comfortable victories will be considered a serious failure for Wiegman’s side, who are unbeaten since April 2021 and considered among the favourites for the World Cup after beating reigning champions USA last October.
Full fixture list
Thursday 16 February
- Italy vs Belgium (4.45pm) – Stadium MK, Milton Keynes
- England vs South Korea (7.45pm) – Stadium MK, Milton Keynes
Sunday 19 February
- England vs Italy (3.15pm) – CBS Arena, Coventry
- Belgium vs South Korea (6.15pm) – CBS Arena, Coventry
Wednesday 22 February
- South Korea vs Italy (4.45pm) – Ashton Gate, Bristol
- Belgium vs England (7.45pm) – Ashton Gate, Bristol
How to watch on TV
All the games will be broadcast live by ITV, with England’s first and final games on ITV4, while their match against Italy will be on ITV1. All other games will be available on ITV4.
England squad
Wiegman has selected a 26-strong squad for the tournament, with Everton keeper Emily Ramsay (on loan from Manchester United) the only uncapped player. The squad also includes a return for veteran Aston Villa midfielder Jordan Nobbs, as well as in-form Chelsea striker Lauren James.
Injured Chelsea midfielder Fran Kirby is perhaps the most significant absentee, but the squad is bolstered by the return of captain Leah Williamson.
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Sandy MacIver (Manchester City), Emily Ramsey (Everton, on loan from Manchester United), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City)
Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Laura Coombs (Manchester City), Jordan Nobbs (Aston Villa), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona), Katie Zelem (Manchester United)
Forwards: Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Jess Park (Everton, on loan from Manchester City), Alessia Russo (Manchester United), Katie Robinson (Brighton), Ebony Salmon (Houston Dash)
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