England v North Macedonia: World Cup 2023 qualifying – live! | Football

The teams are out and the anthems have begun. There are plenty of fans already in position at St Mary’s to watch North Macedonia belt out their anthem. Kick-off is a couple of minutes away.

(4-5-1): Dervishi; Zivikj, Nikolovska, Kolarovska, Polozhani; Maksuti, Markovska, Andonova (capt.), Mustafa, Salihi; Rochi.

They are ranked 131 in the world.

On ITV, Leah Williamson is asked what it means to captain the side tonight: “Obviously, unfortunate circumstances, but I hope Steph’s recovery goes well …. but for me it’s the ultimate, it’s the hugest honour … I’m very proud to represent my country always but today is a little bit more special.”

On Wiegman’s arrival: “Obviously she has been so successful with the Dutch team so we’re all ears … the training level has been really high. Everything’s gone up a notch, which is probably what we needed and I’m excited to show everyone what we have been working on.

“It’s a fantastic occasion, Friday night, under the lights. It’s going to be a good day – I can feel it.”

Wiegman is asked how serious the injury to Houghton is: “We don’t know yet … she’s now back to the club and will do some more research.”

On Fran Kirby who is recovering from injury: “She will return Tuesday … we didn’t want to take any risks … we thought this was a little too early.”

And regarding what has impressed her about Leah Williamson, who captains the side: “Her game, on the pitch, she’s really calm … also off the pitch she’s calm but she knows what she wants.”

A positive reaction to the captain Williamson being named in midfield from our reporter on the scene, Suzanne Wrack:

Some news from yesterday regarding the four-team women’s invitational tournament that will kick off in February 2022, and run for at least three years:

More words from Wiegman in a pre-recorded interview with ITV: “I hope we can achieve the highest possible, and that’s what we’re going to work for, really hard.

“It’s really nice to be here … to meet the players, being on the pitch with them, is so nice. The challenge attracted me to the job – the potential, the history … it triggered me and it challenged me.

“I’m a people manager. I’m a real team player … we don’t have to do real new things because the players bring so much experience and quality but I will bring my vision on how we want to play.”

Interesting thoughts here from Wiegman (from Suzanne Wrack’s piece below) on formations in the modern game: “Formations, these days, the football game has become so dynamic,” she said. “You’re talking more about principle. Sometimes if you take a picture it just looks like a 4-4-2. When you take a picture at another moment it looks like 3-5-2 or 3-4-3. In another moment it’s 4-3-3. It just depends on what happens in the game. You’re not going to just stay in your position all the time.”

England will line up in a 4-3-3 with the captain, Williamson, in a holding midfield role: Earps; Stokes, Greenwood, Bright, Daly; Toone, Williamson (capt.), Stanway; Hemp, White, Mead.

North Macedonia team news to follow.

As we know, Steph Houghton is out injured, but before that news emerged, she spoke to Suzanne Wrack about why Wiegman’s arrival is a ‘clean slate’:

ITV’s opening montage includes a flashing ‘LEVEL UP’ slogan. Boris Johnson will be pleased.

Meanwhile, the pundits on duty are Eni Aluko and Ian Wright.

Suzanne Wrack has taken a look at the issues that Wiegman must address as she takes control of the England team:

Sarina Wiegman’s tenure as manager of England Women begins tonight, and she is already having to think on her feet: the captain Steph Houghton has been ruled out by an ankle injury picked up in training yesterday and will consequently miss this evening’s match against North Macedonia as well as Tuesday’s meeting away against Luxembourg.

Arsenal’s Leah Williamson, Houghton’s defensive colleague, will now step in to lead England and Wiegman said: “This is an exciting opportunity for Leah to wear the captain’s armband at senior level for the first time, and I look forward to seeing her in action.”

So too will the fans heading for St Mary’s Stadium as England seek to start their qualification campaign for the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup – which will take place in Australia and New Zealand – on a positive note. With or without Houghton, it’s a match they will expect to win, and kick-off is coming up at 7pm. Pre-match reading, team news and more coming right up.